Next steps: 100-day plan for community outreach, development of community process to shape community benefits and standards for redevelopment

Union Square Station Associates (US2) was unanimously selected by the Somerville Redevelopment Authority (SRA) as the master developer for the Union Square revitalization plan at the SRA’s meeting on Thursday, June 26.

Encourages open stakeholder engagement process for determining land uses and negotiating community benefits for Union Square

Press release from  USN Steering Committee,

Union Square Neighbors (USN), a grassroots, independent neighborhood association comprised of residents and stakeholders in Union Square commended the unanimous decision of the Somerville Redevelopment Authority (SRA) in choosing US2 as the master developer for Union Square and Boynton Yards.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Last week, I attended the first-ever White House Maker Faire, where President Barack Obama announced a number of efforts to support the next industrial revolution that is happening right now in Somerville, across the region and the nation. As the President said, what better place than the United States for the maker movement to flourish? “This is a place where we know how to invent, and we know how to dream, and we know how to take risks,” he said, “and this is a place where people who work hard have always been able to make it. We want to make sure that continues.” President Obama’s words encapsulate the spirit of The Innovation City that is Somerville and the work we are doing to ensure that the maker movement can continue to flourish in our city.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

Joe’s Jazz and Blues Festival took place on Saturday at Powderhouse Park.

Somerville residents were among the hundreds of demonstrators who headed to Boston on June 12 to demand for a $15 an hour minimum wage.

All Somerville Police cruisers are now fully equipped as of June 19 with nasal Naloxone (Narcan), a prescription medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Acting Chief of Police Charles Femino announce.

— Photo by TDM Photography.

Somerville residents and local officials gathered in Union Square plaza on
Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at 5:00 pm to celebrate the beginning of a partnership called the GLX MassWIN Workforce Initiative. The program will help low-income and minority residents of Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford get access to training and job placement on the construction of the Green Line Extension. An MOU was signed on Wednesday, June 18 to formalize the creation of the program.

Artisan’s Asylum is the grateful recipient of a 3D printer, generously donated by Chicago-based Inventables in hopes that the technology will become more accessible to artists in the Somerville area and beyond.

By Douglas Yu

Artisan’s Asylum in Somerville, a non-profit community design and fabrication center, won a free 3D carving machine in a contest from Inventables, a Chicago-based hardware store for designers.

Craig Rourke who is running for State Representative for the seat held by Carl Sciortino who resigned earlier this year.

The kickoff party/fundraiser is at the West 7 Bistro, 1137 Broadway, 7-9 p.m., this Thursday, June 26.

The musical guest is Kemp Harris and the Scenario, along with comedian Paul D’Angelo. Appetizers and cash bar.

For more information and RSVP  info@craigrourke.org, and to find out more about Craig go to www.craigrourke.org.

 — Photos by Claudia Ferro

The third block party called Rhythm of the East! took place on Thursday, June 19 at Chuckie Harris Park. The block party had many different activities and performances, including SHS Jazz, Guitar & World Percussion Ensembles; Somerville Symphony Orkesta; Seed planting with Leanne Darrigo; Puppet workshop with SAC’s Heather Bulchanas; SCAT TV Mobile Studio; and a lot more.