The city is making repairs to the roof of its 90-92 Union Square building. This work, being led by the city’s Capital Project Division, is expected to begin later this week and continue through the spring. 

The building, a former firehouse that dates to the late 1880s, is in need of significant structural repair and was closed in August 2023 in the interest of public safety. Repairs to the roof are being undertaken as an interim measure to prevent further water damage to the structure from taking place. These repairs will necessitate the removal of the clock tower from the building. The clock faces and mechanisms will be retained for potential future use.  

For more information and periodic updates, visit the project website at somervillema.gov/9092USQroof.

More about the future of the building

The former firehouse is one of many buildings in the city that require renovation. Major investment is also currently needed for schools including the Winter Hill and the Brown schools, the city’s fire houses, and other vital infrastructure. The city does not have the current fiscal capacity to prioritize the renovation of 90-92 Union Square before these other significant and pressing needs. The city is, however, committed to developing a plan for its future that will best serve the neighborhood and our community.