Community Transformation

Channeling the forces of change in a positive direction for your community

City of Somerville

Joseph A. Curtatone, MayorHarvard Kennedy School PresentationSeptember 2010

Preparing for the Future

1. Change will happen – question is how to channel it is positive direction

2. Know where you came from and where you are today (a.k.a. trends)

3. Determine what trends you like and what you don’t; identify strengths to build on and weaknesses to reduce

4. Set clear vision for what want in the future – include lots of community involvement (a.k.a. comprehensive plan / general plan)

5. Implement the vision – don’t compromise the plan

1. Change will happen

1. The Inevitability of Change

• Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine. (Robert C. Gallagher)

• Change is inevitable. Change is constant. (Benjamin Disraeli)

• Everything will change. The only question is growing up or decaying. ... Everything will change. (Nikki Giovanni)

2. Know where you came fromand where you are today

2. Know where you came from

Transit Built Somerville• Built as a trolley suburb of Boston

• Primarily two and three family dwellings

• Largely built out by the early 1900s – before zoning established

• Minimal land set aside for parks

• Today, the most densely populated cities in New England (nearly 78,000 in 4.1 square miles); 5th densest in the nation!

• Diverse population with mix of incomes

West Somerville Street Car

Davis Square (1910)

Mayor Joseph A CurtatoneOffice of Strategic Planningand Community Development

Somerville’s Population History

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

To

tal

Po

pu

lati

on

Source: US Census

Figure 1a: Somerville Youth Population, 1950-2000

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Popu

latio

n U

nder

Age

18

Source: US Census

Figure 6b: Year of Entry for Foreign-Born Population

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

1995 to2000

1990 to1994

1985 to1989

1980 to1984

1975 to1979

1970 to1974

1965 to1969

Before1965

Nu

mb

er o

f R

esid

ents

Source: US Census

Figure 3: Somerville Housing Units by Year Built, 2000

1%

5%

64%

18%

6%

6%

Source: US Census

1960-1969

1940-1959

1939 and earlier

1980-1989

1970-1979

1990-1999

Figure 14: Somerville Housing Units by Structure Type, 2000

3%

9%

11%

5%9%

35%

29%

Source: US Census

1-unit attached

1-unit detached

2 units

3-4 units

5-9 units

10-19 units

20+ units

-

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

$33,904

$35,568$36,556

$37,388

$39,416

$40,976

$43,524

$34,663 $34,333 $34,176 $34,881$35,172

$36,651

$30,000

$32,000

$34,000

$36,000

$38,000

$40,000

$42,000

$44,000

$46,000

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Average Wage Real Average Wage ($2001)

Jobs in Boston Metro Region

Change in Real Wage

Somerville has less than 0.5 jobs per resident in the workforce. In contrast, Cambridge has two.

Zipcar membership, 2005-2009

0500

1,0001,5002,0002,5003,0003,5004,000

Source: Zipcar, 2005, 2008, 2009

54.3

23.4

34.2

44.4

43.9

36.7

35.7

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

Somerville

Boston

Brookline

Cambridge

Chelsea

Everett

Medford

Lane miles per land area Source: EOT, OTP, 2008 & US Census, 2000

Road Length per Land Area

Car Share Membership

Transit Ridership to Work

Even with only one transit station and terrible on-time bus performance, 30% of Somerville residents use public transit for their daily commute

3.Determine the trends you likeand those you don’t

(strengths / weaknesses)

Positive Trend toward improved Transportation Infrastructure

Rail and Roads (today)• Boston & Lowell• Boston & Fitchburg • Boston & Maine• Route 28 • I-93• BET

Railroads Crossed the City

McGrath Highway

Rail and Roads (future)• Green Line Extension• Orange Line Station at Assembly Square• Urban Ring• Community Path Extension• Union Square Transportation Study• Bike Routes (Broadway, Somerville

Ave, Union Square)

Transformative Nature of Transit

• 85% of Somerville will be within ½ mile of transit

• Reconnect neighborhoods

• Promote local job creation

• Access for residents to job centers

• Catalyst for sustainable land transformation

Somerville: Transit & Transformation

Wholesale Transformation

Substantial Redevelopment

Strategic Investment

Residential Preservation

Special thanks to our graphics providers: FRIT, CBT/Greenberg, EOT, Reconnecting America, and the Community Design Resource Center

Additional Strengths

• Significant community engagement / volunteerism

• High education level and creativity among residents; entrepreneurial spirit

• Strong demand for transit and bicycle and pedestrian facilities

• Strong core of creative industry (architects, gamers, media)

• Growing interest in sustainable living (shop local, energy)

• Strong street grid and urban form; interesting architecture and history

• Sizeable opportunity areas in eastern Somerville near future Green Line stations

Additional Weaknesses

• Increasing gentrification – less affordable to middle class and poor

• Declining number of senior citizens

• Reduction in families and youth

• High wage jobs moving from Boston directly to suburbs

• Limited commercial construction affects tax base

• Auto is still dominant mode of transportation

4. Set a clear vision for the future

Creating a Plan for SomervilleCreating a Plan for Somerville What is a Comprehensive Plan? Core Components:Goals & PoliciesLand Use PlanHousingEconomic DevelopmentOpen Space & Recreation

Natural & Cultural ResourcesServices & FacilitiesCirculation & TransportationImplementation

A vision of what a community wants to become and the steps needed to achieve that vision.

Rooted in factual current and historical data.

Requires cornerstone components, established in Massachusetts General Law.

Includes an extensive process of community involvement that will shape the Plan and put it into action.

The Comprehensive Plan:

Analysis of Trends

Vision for the Future

Guidance/Direction/Protection

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

In Somerville, We:Value the diversity of our people, cultures, housing, and economy.Foster the unique character of our residents, neighborhoods, hills and squares, and the strength of our community spirit as expressed in our history, our cultural and social life, and our deep sense of civic engagement.Invest in the growth of a resilient economic base that is centered around transit, generates a wide variety of job opportunities, creates an active daytime population, supports independent local businesses, and secures fiscal self-sufficiency.Promote a dynamic urban streetscape that embraces public transportation, reduces dependence on the automobile, and is accessible, inviting and safe for all pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders.Build a sustainable future through strong environmental leadership, balanced transportation modes, engaging recreational and community spaces, exceptional schools and educational opportunities, improved community health, varied and affordable housing options, and effective stewardship of our natural resources. Commit to continued innovation and affirm our responsibility to current and future generations in all of our endeavors: business, technology, education, arts, and government.

5. Implement the vision

Assembly Row

New Orange Line Station leverages

• 2,100 Residential Units

• 1.75 M Square Feet of Office

• 1.07 M Square Feet of Retail

Green Line & Inner Belt/Brickbottom - 117 acres

CBT/Greenberg Scoping Study

• 3 M Square Feet of Office

• 2.5 M Square Feet of Lab

• 200,000 Square Feet of Retail

• 3,000 Residential Units

• Public Open Space / Community Path

7 to 10+ M Square Feet Development Opportunity

Somerville in Action

Union Square Rezoning

• Transit Oriented Development

• Green building incentives

• Reduced parking requirements

• Increased height and FAR

• Design Guidelines

• Pedestrian Oriented Uses

• Streamlined approach to permitting

Red Line & Davis Square

Community Path at Davis Square

• In 1997, Davis Square was listed by the Utne Reader as one of the fifteen "hippest places to live" in the United States Red Line Station in center of square

• Regional destination for living, dining, shopping

• Within walking distance to two universities

• Somerville Community Bike Path

• Significant private investment• Hotel RFP underway• New 3 story retail-office building• 66,000 sf. office building sold for nearly $20M• Loft units selling for up to $1M

Davis Square by Night

More on the concept of Change

Resistance to

• I have a resistance to change in things that I feel comfortable with and that I'm used to. (Dennis Quaid)

• People always fear change. People feared electricity when it was invented, didn't they? People feared coal, they feared gas-powered engines... There will always be ignorance, and ignorance leads to fear. (Bill Gates)

• Change is tough, people don't like it, but it is necessary. Take two aspirins and call me in the morning. (Christopher Bond)

Projecting Change

• We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. (Bill Gates)