The D2 block is phase one of several phases. The completed project will include eleven green open spaces on 3.6 acres of the total 15-acre development.

By Denise Keniston

On Thursday, August 22, the Somerville Planning Board approved phase one of the Union Square Revitalization Project, a $1.5 billion mixed-use transit-oriented development in Union Square known as USQ.

Phase one, referred to as the D2 block, is a four-acre parcel located on the corner of Prospect Street and Somerville Avenue. It includes three buildings: a life sciences building, two multi-use buildings, and open civic space. Planning Board member Amelia Aboff attached conditions to her ‘yes’ vote relative to environmental standards for future buildings included in the Union Square Revitalization Project.

Aboff said, “I had only two remaining concerns going into the meeting: whether we would be limiting ourselves by setting a precedent for the environmental standards of future buildings, and whether city staff had the full set of information necessary to inform their recommendations. Given the many other benefits provided by the US2 [master developer] team, I was prepared to vote in favor of the remaining parcels once we received clarification that this was not a precedent and that there would be more dialogue around sustainability in future.”

Planning Board member Amelia Aboff initially voted against the project last Thursday citing sustainability concerns. After some conditions were added to the plan she and two other members approved the project.

“While I would have preferred to vote after one more round of city review, the added conditions ensured that conversation will still take place. All in all, I’m very excited to see these projects advance, and I look forward to more robust conversations about the energy performance of future projects,” Aboff explained.

The master developer, US2, has worked with the Planning Board for more than a year on the site plan and design modifications.  President Greg Karczewski says the USQ project is “in line with the city’s SomerVision goals.”

Karczewski highlights US2’s commitment to the Union Square MBTA station, currently under construction. “It’s really exciting to me that this first project is moving forward. The project is indicative of the goals of this city and our commitment to the Green Line Extension (GLX),” he says. “We (US2) are providing $1.5M in MBTA station improvements such as ADA access, an elevator at the Prospect Street Bridge, the Ride Dropoff, and breakroom as well as other financial commitments.”

US2 plans to break ground later this year and finish construction in 2021 in tandem with the new Green Line Station, drawing an inflow of residents and commuters to live and work in the new high-rises.

Tom Bent, President of Bent Electrical Contractors in Somerville, says the USQ project is long overdue. “I’m obviously in favor of this project. It’s great to hear about the addition of the elevator, which I know has been a contention with everybody, as well as the changes in the civic space, make a great project even better.”

The D2 block is the first phase of a much larger plan. At full build-out, the 15.7-acre USQ project will include 2.4 million square feet of new biotech, lab, office, residential and retail space that will support generating 5,300 new permanent jobs, along with more than 4,000 new construction jobs and will generate $11.3 million annually in new property tax revenue. The project will be comprised of a 60 percent commercial and 40 percent residential development, and includes over 3.5 acres of open space.

Karczewski references the “open space” as an “achievement.” In a recent letter to The Times he wrote, “In total, the D2 block will now feature 33,000 square feet of total civic space, which is an increase of more than 11,000 square feet from what was initially proposed, and open space now accounts for 35 percent of the site.”

Affordable housing advocates applaud the ninety units included in the first phase, although acknowledging ninety units “doesn’t really put a dent” in Somerville’s affordable housing needs.

The Somerville Community Corporation currently owns 300 or more affordable housing units and is on the front line of Somerville’s housing issues. Director of Real Estate Scott Hayman says, “There are many rewards to this project.  Somerville needs affordable housing, lots of jobs and a notable increase for the commercial tax base. This is a great project for Somerville overall.”

The Union Square Neighborhood Council and US2 have also arrived at a community benefits agreement. The CBA contains strong language around unionized workforce and affordable housing. It can be viewed here. http://unionsquareneighborhoodcouncil.org/docs/pdf/CBA/180322-CBA_report.pdf.