SOMERVILLE
– Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Executive Director of Strategic
Planning and Community Development Monica Lamboy today announced that
the City has begun work on an updated and comprehensive plan for
Somerville's future development. The Comprehensive Plan will outline a
shared vision for Somerville's future and the steps needed to achieve
that vision.

"Somerville is a city that has seen incredible
progress over the past decade," said Mayor Curtatone. "Today,
Somerville is not only a great place to live, work, play and raise a
family, but is becoming a regional arts and entertainment destination
and a regional center for new business development. But there is still
much work to be done – and we need a fresh public process to shape some
of the crucial decisions and choices we face over the nest few years. I
urge all members of the Somerville community to participate in this
planning process. One of our greatest strengths in Somerville is the
involvement, creativity, and commitment of our residents."

The
comprehensive planning process will begin with a series of
City-sponsored information sessions focusing on key trends in
Somerville. The trends include demographics, housing, employment
industries, transportation and infrastructure, and land use patterns.
In addition to an extensive community process, an advisory committee
composed of residents and businesses with diverse areas of expertise
will guide the planning process. The committee will be made up of
appointees by the Mayor and Board of Alderman, constituents with
expertise in relevant subjects, and residents/businesses from across
the city.

"The thoughts, feedback and participation of our
community members are essential to the success of this planning process
is," said Lamboy. "I look forward to working closely with the various
constituencies across the city over the coming months to ensure that
the comprehensive plan is something we can all unite behind."

The schedule of coming trends meetings is as follows:

Population Trends

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm

Capuano Early Education Center, 150 Glen Street

Economic Development Trends

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm

Visiting Nurses Association, 259 Lowell Street, 3rd floor

Population Trends

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm

TAB Building (Senior Center), 167 Holland Street

Economic Development Trends

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm

Argenziano School, 290 Washington Street, Cafetorium

Transportation & Infrastructure Trends

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm

Capuano Early Education Center, 150 Glen Street

Transportation & Infrastructure Trends

Tuesday, August 4, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm

TAB Building (Senior Center), 167 Holland Street

Housing Trends

Tuesday, August 25, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm

TAB Building (Senior Center), 167 Holland Street

Land Use Trends

Monday, September 14, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm

Capuano Early Education Center, 150 Glen Street

Housing Trends

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm

Capuano Early Education Center, 150 Glen Street

Land Use Trends

Monday, September 28, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm

TAB Building (Senior Center), 167 Holland Street

For more information about the comprehensive plan please contact Keith Craig at 617-625-6600 x 2500 or KCraig@somervillema.gov.