Real estate development in Ward 5, including 55-unit, 5-story, mixed-use development proposed

[mem_winterhill]

I know this is the far side of our Hill, and it appears to be mostly in Medford. But FYI, from Mark Niedergang's newsletter today:

The biggest development news in Ward 5 is the proposed 55-apartment, 5-story, mixed-use development at 519 Broadway (Somerville)/87 Medford Street (Medford). There will be a community meeting at the site this Tuesday, October 17, 6:30 PM, 519 Broadway, in the Office Liquidators store. The developer, Charlie Zammuto, will present the plans & address questions and concerns. I have a copy of the plans, if you would like to see them email me and I will send them to you.

Only a tiny portion of this development is in Somerville, most is in Medford, set back from Broadway along Medford St. So it is unlikely that the Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals will have much say over the project. The Medford Board of Appeals (zoning board) will be making the decisions about this project, possibly at their October 24th meeting.

Concerns so far in Somerville have focused on traffic impacts in the Magoun Square neighborhood. I don’t see parking as a likely concern. There are 91 parking spaces in the plans (more than enough in my opinion and that of Somerville Planning Director George Proakis) and it is highly unlikely that residents of the building will be able to get stickers or guest passes to park in Somerville. I would certainly fight against that with everything I could muster, if necessary.

I am waiting to take a position on this project until the meeting is held and we can hear from the neighbors and the community. At the Medford Zoning Board meeting on September 26, Joe Lynch, a few other Magoun Square residents, and I asked for more time to consider the plans and express our views. They granted that. Their next meeting is October 24th at 7 PM at Medford City Hall. I plan to attend to express concerns that Somerville residents have. If you have objections you can express them there, at the community meeting on October 17th, let me know, and/or email the Medford Board of Appeals c/o their clerk, Denis MacDougall, dmacdougall@medford-ma.gov

Comments

[secretlyironic]

That's an awful lot of parking.

[ratushebarl]

Wait, they're taking out Cock Block? I would miss Woody's, Pini's and Wang's.

[mem_winterhill]

I would weep if Wang's and Pini's disappear for sure. But I talked to the Woody's folks a while back, and they are planning to move up Broadway to that burned out laundromat anyway.

It looks like there are still restaurant spaces though. They could use an update, really.

[auntycourtney]

I'm happy to report that Pini's will be remaining in their space. Wang's and Dark Horse Public House are not part of the construction, so they will be staying too. Woody's - as stated below - will be moving to the laundromat on Broadway.

[ratushebarl]

True, and it does look like there are retail spaces in the new design. I'm just as happy those housing towers are over the line into Medford though.