By Greg Karczewski
President of US2

You may have read the Green Line is coming.  U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, Governor Baker and other state and local officials broke ground on the Green Line Extension in June right in Union Square.

The extension of the Green Line to Somerville, and Union Square in particular, is a catalyst for economic development that will create an employment hub and the daytime foot traffic needed to keep our small (and big) businesses thriving.  It’s a substantial step toward realizing many of the community’s SomerVision goals through the Union Square revitalization project (USQ).

An important piece of keeping the Green Line Extension opening on track for 2021 is the timely construction completion of USQ phase one improvements that are required for the station to open.  That’s why we are asking for the State’s environmental review (MEPA) for the first phase of the project to occur earlier in the process.

We want to keep the community informed throughout this important process.  We recently participated in a site tour and meeting with Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office to discuss our application and answer community questions. We understand August is a popular time for family vacations and that you may not have been able to attend. Here are eight things that you need to know about MEPA which you can also find here in greater detail.

What is the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA)?

• MEPA requires state agencies to study the environmental consequences of certain projects through public study, disclosure and development of feasible mitigation measures. It is not a permitting process.

What is a Phase 1 waiver?

• A Phase 1 waiver may be permitted after expedited review for the first phase of a large-scale project. This type of request has been granted when the first project phase can stand-alone, has adequate infrastructure and when environmental impacts are minimized.

Does a Phase 1 waiver lessen the amount of environmental review?

• The request only accelerates the review of the first development parcel of the project, the entire 2.4 million square foot development will undergo full MEPA review.

What will be built in Phase 1?

• Phase 1 is a transit-oriented mixed-use development comprised of approximately 600,000 square feet of new office, lab, residential and open space, located on 3.5 acres in the heart of Union Square.

Is a Phase 1 waiver typical?

• Phase 1 waivers have recently been given on the first phase of Suffolk Downs, General Electric, Seaport Square and Waterfront Square in Revere.

Why is a waiver needed?

• This waiver will enable US2 to start construction on the D2 block later this year which is critical to opening the Union Square Station MBTA station in spring of 2021. The D2 project includes improvements that are required for the MBTA station to open: ADA and pedestrian access, a drop-off for The Ride paratransit program, MBTA employee facilities and 90 bike storage spaces for MBTA riders.

What other Benefits does Phase 1 provide?

• By allowing construction to start, US2 can immediately begin remediating a brownfield site while creating revenues to fund a portion of the City’s $50 million Green Line commitment and pay the debt service for the city’s $63 million Union Square infrastructure project.

What are the next steps in the process?

• The filing was submitted to MEPA on July 2, 2018. US2 has requested an extension of the comment period through August 24, 2018.