We are community members who love the vibrancy, energy, and uniqueness of the square. We have come together because we are saddened by the neglect and deterioration. Our goal is to make repairs to the square that will improve safety and attractiveness of our walkways, crosswalks, streetscape and open spaces. Major underground utility work is years away from starting and it makes no sense to us to allow the square to continue to deteriorate. DavisNow.org focuses on fixing problems now, while also making sure the city takes care to preserve and enhance the unique qualities that make Davis a special place. We cannot wait 10 years for the City of Somerville to repair our Square.
Davis Square is Unique in Somerville
Davis Square is unique and has a vibrant culture not replicated in Somerville’s other squares. Most cities have a downtown; Somerville does not. Instead, it has a number of multi-street intersections that we call squares. But Davis Square comes close to being our ‘downtown’.
What makes it different are several aggregating factors not present elsewhere. Davis has a healthy entertainment capacity, anchored by the Somerville Theater, which plays current and cult movies as well as live entertainment, and supplemented by live theater at the Rockwell, live music at the Burren and other locations, etc. It is also a self-contained community that has all of its self-sustaining needs in the immediate area, including supermarkets, banks, numerous restaurants, and specialist facilities such as doctors, dentists, and even a shoe repair shop. It is a destination serviced by integrated bus and rail that enables convenient access to the square for both residents and visitors. There are nine places of worship in the immediate Davis Square area, adding to the draw to the square. All of this has made it desirable for such planned activities as Art Beat, Porch Fest, Summer Streets, Honk, and other outdoor activities, which are unique to Davis and enhance the cultural value of the area.
This is accomplished in a residential area that has had little industry but has enjoyed light commercial growth. That it is positioned on a tangent between Tufts and Lesley Universities guarantees an annual new influx of young students seeking the convenient entertainment that is a hallmark feature of Davis Square.
Unlike other squares, Davis has large public areas where people can enjoy the square. Seven Hills, Kenney, and Statue Parks as well as the West Branch Library all are well utilized and often the sites of buskers and other street entertainment. The square is also a venue for political rallies.
The culture of the square is such that people have come to cherish this unique combination of attributes that are not present in any other Somerville squares - though some are available in some other squares, Davis has it all. Our civic pride has long been characterized by very active civic groups that reach back in time to the original Davis Task Force that was instrumental in bringing the MBTA Red Line to Davis. The residents strongly desire to keep and enhance Davis, not change it into another Harvard Square full of up-market shops and formula retail. Davis is a square of small boutique businesses that cater to the eclectic needs of the community and thus help sustain the vibrant values of the area
Our organization is for everyone who is interested in the long term vitality and uniqueness of Davis Square. It's a forum for ideas, thoughts and concerns. It's a place for calm and judicious discussion supporting the repair, preservation,and thoughtful growth of Davis Square.
Davis Square is Unique in Somerville
Davis Square is unique and has a vibrant culture not replicated in Somerville’s other squares. Most cities have a downtown; Somerville does not. Instead, it has a number of multi-street intersections that we call squares. But Davis Square comes close to being our ‘downtown’.
What makes it different are several aggregating factors not present elsewhere. Davis has a healthy entertainment capacity, anchored by the Somerville Theater, which plays current and cult movies as well as live entertainment, and supplemented by live theater at the Rockwell, live music at the Burren and other locations, etc. It is also a self-contained community that has all of its self-sustaining needs in the immediate area, including supermarkets, banks, numerous restaurants, and specialist facilities such as doctors, dentists, and even a shoe repair shop. It is a destination serviced by integrated bus and rail that enables convenient access to the square for both residents and visitors. There are nine places of worship in the immediate Davis Square area, adding to the draw to the square. All of this has made it desirable for such planned activities as Art Beat, Porch Fest, Summer Streets, Honk, and other outdoor activities, which are unique to Davis and enhance the cultural value of the area.
This is accomplished in a residential area that has had little industry but has enjoyed light commercial growth. That it is positioned on a tangent between Tufts and Lesley Universities guarantees an annual new influx of young students seeking the convenient entertainment that is a hallmark feature of Davis Square.
Unlike other squares, Davis has large public areas where people can enjoy the square. Seven Hills, Kenney, and Statue Parks as well as the West Branch Library all are well utilized and often the sites of buskers and other street entertainment. The square is also a venue for political rallies.
The culture of the square is such that people have come to cherish this unique combination of attributes that are not present in any other Somerville squares - though some are available in some other squares, Davis has it all. Our civic pride has long been characterized by very active civic groups that reach back in time to the original Davis Task Force that was instrumental in bringing the MBTA Red Line to Davis. The residents strongly desire to keep and enhance Davis, not change it into another Harvard Square full of up-market shops and formula retail. Davis is a square of small boutique businesses that cater to the eclectic needs of the community and thus help sustain the vibrant values of the area
Our organization is for everyone who is interested in the long term vitality and uniqueness of Davis Square. It's a forum for ideas, thoughts and concerns. It's a place for calm and judicious discussion supporting the repair, preservation,and thoughtful growth of Davis Square.
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Alan Bingham
Rosemary Broome-Bingham
Jack Connolly
Chris Iwerks
Ulysses Lateiner
Thalia Tringo
PREVIOUS ACTIONS
Previous incarnations of this group have worked with the City of Somerville on a variety of issues including:
Previous incarnations of this group have worked with the City of Somerville on a variety of issues including:
- Business Diversity
- Traffic and Parking
- Programming and Events
- Housing
- Open Space
- Zoning and Planning
- Visual Environment
- Infrastructure
- Finances
- 20-30 year vision
PRESENTATIONS
| Jul 13 - Davis Square Insights |
| Aug 13 - Davis Square Business Diversity |
| Aug 13 - Davis Square Parking |
| Aug 13 - A Cleaner Davis Square |
