DavisNow Somerville City Council Candidate Questionnaire
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Zoning higher buildings
Among the many changes in the new V4 Zoning Ordinance is the proposed zoning Map 5 which permits entire blocks of 5 and 6 story buildings flanking Elm and Highland. This will transform these streets into canyons, even with upper floor setbacks. Heights under this plan will be much taller than current and sunlight will be reduced. We believe that with 86% (1.27 million additional square feet) of the potential commercial building volume in the Davis Central Business District existing under the current 4 story height limit, that smart growth can occur without exceeding 4 stories. We can greatly increase the commercial tax base and also preserve the character and scale of the square without going to 5 and 6 stories, 85 feet high.
The following graphics visualize how dramatic and undesirable these proposed changes are.
We are a community organization for the preservation & repair of
Davis Square - NOW
The Punch List
In 2018, DavisNow developed a detailed, illustrated Punch List documenting the myriad problems with Davis Square’s walkways, open space, and streetscape elements. The Punch List was endorsed by the Mayor in December of 2018 and the City has begun work on the repair scope.
Use our website to get updates on our public meetings, track progress on repairs, and signup to be on our email list.
Link to the Punch List Book is here:
http://online.flipbuilder.com/havm/ixly/
Most Recent (lack of) Progress
SEPTEMBER 2019
The city received three bids for reconstruction of crosswalks and repair of sidewalks in the square. All three bids were over the engineer's estimate of $462,000. As a result, the city has decided not to proceed with any work at all. DavisNow has attempted to learn if anything will be done, but our emails have not been answered.
We are disappointed to report that after almost a year of pushing for repairs in Davis Square, there has been almost no progress on any front. There is no progress on: brick walkways, asphalt patches, granite pavers, tree wells, intersection timing, litter pickup, tree lighting, sign straightening, ponding, landscaping, etc. The square continues to be a mine-field of tripping hazards and, as best we can tell, no one in a position to take action cares to do so. Even though this scope of work was endorsed by the Mayor and heads of other departments.
AUGUST 2019
The city is currently soliciting bids for reconstruction of crosswalks and repair of sidewalks in the square. The estimate for the work is $462,500 and the city has set aside $600,000 for Davis Square. Bids are due August 15, 2019.
As of mid August we have observed no city work progressing on the punch list, this despite promises from the city that work would be done this summer.
JUNE 2019
We held our Spring 2019 Public Meeting on June 10, 2019 at the new Dilboy Post. Updates on progress were presented by representatives from the City's Engineering and Planning Departments. DavisNow also presented on recent developments, including:
Where we are as of June 15, 2019
1. Brick sidewalks (asphalt patches and uneven surfaces) – Engineering Department is advancing this scope with HSH. Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2019.
2. Brick crosswalks – Engineering Department is advancing replacement of 11 crosswalks with HSH. The new crosswalks will be mostly red stamped asphalt to simulate brick. The Engineering Department informed us that they will not consider replacing the existing brick crosswalks with new brick or concrete unit pavers. Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2019.
3. Granite pavers – some of these need to be removed to create new accessible curb cuts. DavisNow has provided detailed information to the Engineering Department for fixing the few areas of granite repairs that stand out (11.5 LF of asphalt patches and a handful of pavers that present tripping hazards). As of this time this scope is not included.
4. Granite curbs @ trees – thus far it appears that no City department will touch these.
5. Granite Belgian blocks at tree wells – thus far it appears that no City department will touch these either.
6. Missing street trees – most missing trees have been replaced. DavisNow has requested that 3-4 new trees be installed on the west side of Grove Street where a new concrete sidewalk is slated for installation.
7. Parking meters – The city has purchased a pole straightener and says it is being used. As of this time we do not see that all meters have been straightened.
8. Street tree lighting – The City spoke of the light wrapping technique being problematic and that they are studying the best way to do it. DavisNow has provided the city with a “how to guide” produced by the Seattle DOT - https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/SDOT/CAMs/CAM2301.pdf. Thus far the City has offered no plan for how lighting conduit will be repaired and the trees lighting system returned to working order.
9. Bike Racks – these are unchanged - they have not been straightened
10. Signs and sign poles – City reported that they have hired summer help and work will be done over the next few months.
11. Signals and signal poles – Same as #10 above
12. Temporary signs – OSPCD reported 4 months ago that warning letters had been sent out to violators. Since that time we have not been able to learn if there is plan or time frame for action.
13. Seven Hills Park brick walks – DavisNow uncovered 1984 MBTA-City Easement Agreement which requires the City to maintain the park and make repairs to landscape (including tree replacement), and elements. We discovered that the brick walks are loose laid on sand and are therefore easily repaired. Correcting the ponding area where an electrical junction box is perpetually under water and posing a safety risk would be easy to correct. DavisNow took a line and level to the area and discovered that the walk needs to be raised on the flooded side by a mere 3-5” to cause water to drain away to the northeast side where there is already a catch basin.
DavisNow is working with OSPCD and Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis to get this fixed. We also can clearly state that, under the Easement Agreement, this is minor repair work and can be done without going through a lengthy approval process with the MBTA. 3"-5” of sand added on the north side of the walk is insignificant. The City was required to obtain an MBTA license for the Community Path work because it entailed heavy equipment and excavation to replace piping and asphalt roadwork above. But the brick leveling work here is simply routine maintenance needed to fix a sunken/ponding area and electrical box which sits underwater. We have not been able to learn if there is plan or time frame for action.
14. Seven Hills Park barren earth – the City planted grass seed throughout the center section of the park, but has ignored the edges and margins entirely, which remain in disrepair. The irrigation system is also broken, so watering the lawn will not happen. We have not been able to learn if there is plan or time frame for action.
15. Seven Hills Park trees – City stated that they are “looking” to engage an outside botanist to take care of tree pruning and care. There has also been no response on the issues of tree stump removal or replanting of 5 trees that are missing. We have not been able to learn if there is plan or time frame for action.
16. Seven Hills Park sculptures – City reported to DavisNow that they have approached the original artist and obtained a cost to restore the sculptures, which was in excess of $200,000. We have not been able to learn if there is plan or time frame for action.
SEPTEMBER 2019
The city received three bids for reconstruction of crosswalks and repair of sidewalks in the square. All three bids were over the engineer's estimate of $462,000. As a result, the city has decided not to proceed with any work at all. DavisNow has attempted to learn if anything will be done, but our emails have not been answered.
We are disappointed to report that after almost a year of pushing for repairs in Davis Square, there has been almost no progress on any front. There is no progress on: brick walkways, asphalt patches, granite pavers, tree wells, intersection timing, litter pickup, tree lighting, sign straightening, ponding, landscaping, etc. The square continues to be a mine-field of tripping hazards and, as best we can tell, no one in a position to take action cares to do so. Even though this scope of work was endorsed by the Mayor and heads of other departments.
AUGUST 2019
The city is currently soliciting bids for reconstruction of crosswalks and repair of sidewalks in the square. The estimate for the work is $462,500 and the city has set aside $600,000 for Davis Square. Bids are due August 15, 2019.
As of mid August we have observed no city work progressing on the punch list, this despite promises from the city that work would be done this summer.
JUNE 2019
We held our Spring 2019 Public Meeting on June 10, 2019 at the new Dilboy Post. Updates on progress were presented by representatives from the City's Engineering and Planning Departments. DavisNow also presented on recent developments, including:
- Discovery of two key MBTA-City Easement Agreements from 1984 and 1987 that define the City's responsibility to maintain the spaces above the MBTA property, and the City's right to make repairs to plaza and park elements.
- Discovery that brick walks in Seven Hills Park and Statue Park are all set on sand and thus very easy to restore to correct level and slope profiles.
- Review of HSH drawings for the replacement of 11 crosswalks and repair of brick sidewalks throughout Davis Square (excluding walks in Seven Hills Park and Statue Park)
Where we are as of June 15, 2019
1. Brick sidewalks (asphalt patches and uneven surfaces) – Engineering Department is advancing this scope with HSH. Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2019.
2. Brick crosswalks – Engineering Department is advancing replacement of 11 crosswalks with HSH. The new crosswalks will be mostly red stamped asphalt to simulate brick. The Engineering Department informed us that they will not consider replacing the existing brick crosswalks with new brick or concrete unit pavers. Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2019.
3. Granite pavers – some of these need to be removed to create new accessible curb cuts. DavisNow has provided detailed information to the Engineering Department for fixing the few areas of granite repairs that stand out (11.5 LF of asphalt patches and a handful of pavers that present tripping hazards). As of this time this scope is not included.
4. Granite curbs @ trees – thus far it appears that no City department will touch these.
5. Granite Belgian blocks at tree wells – thus far it appears that no City department will touch these either.
6. Missing street trees – most missing trees have been replaced. DavisNow has requested that 3-4 new trees be installed on the west side of Grove Street where a new concrete sidewalk is slated for installation.
7. Parking meters – The city has purchased a pole straightener and says it is being used. As of this time we do not see that all meters have been straightened.
8. Street tree lighting – The City spoke of the light wrapping technique being problematic and that they are studying the best way to do it. DavisNow has provided the city with a “how to guide” produced by the Seattle DOT - https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/SDOT/CAMs/CAM2301.pdf. Thus far the City has offered no plan for how lighting conduit will be repaired and the trees lighting system returned to working order.
9. Bike Racks – these are unchanged - they have not been straightened
10. Signs and sign poles – City reported that they have hired summer help and work will be done over the next few months.
11. Signals and signal poles – Same as #10 above
12. Temporary signs – OSPCD reported 4 months ago that warning letters had been sent out to violators. Since that time we have not been able to learn if there is plan or time frame for action.
13. Seven Hills Park brick walks – DavisNow uncovered 1984 MBTA-City Easement Agreement which requires the City to maintain the park and make repairs to landscape (including tree replacement), and elements. We discovered that the brick walks are loose laid on sand and are therefore easily repaired. Correcting the ponding area where an electrical junction box is perpetually under water and posing a safety risk would be easy to correct. DavisNow took a line and level to the area and discovered that the walk needs to be raised on the flooded side by a mere 3-5” to cause water to drain away to the northeast side where there is already a catch basin.
DavisNow is working with OSPCD and Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis to get this fixed. We also can clearly state that, under the Easement Agreement, this is minor repair work and can be done without going through a lengthy approval process with the MBTA. 3"-5” of sand added on the north side of the walk is insignificant. The City was required to obtain an MBTA license for the Community Path work because it entailed heavy equipment and excavation to replace piping and asphalt roadwork above. But the brick leveling work here is simply routine maintenance needed to fix a sunken/ponding area and electrical box which sits underwater. We have not been able to learn if there is plan or time frame for action.
14. Seven Hills Park barren earth – the City planted grass seed throughout the center section of the park, but has ignored the edges and margins entirely, which remain in disrepair. The irrigation system is also broken, so watering the lawn will not happen. We have not been able to learn if there is plan or time frame for action.
15. Seven Hills Park trees – City stated that they are “looking” to engage an outside botanist to take care of tree pruning and care. There has also been no response on the issues of tree stump removal or replanting of 5 trees that are missing. We have not been able to learn if there is plan or time frame for action.
16. Seven Hills Park sculptures – City reported to DavisNow that they have approached the original artist and obtained a cost to restore the sculptures, which was in excess of $200,000. We have not been able to learn if there is plan or time frame for action.
