Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Over the past couple of months, I’ve done stories on businesses leaving Somerville and buildings being demolished. I didn’t think I’d be writing another one so soon but when I heard this news, I was flabbergasted. Supposedly, they’re taking four houses on Highland Street and making an 86-unit building.

What happened to the families? Did they get a fair price? Were they promised a place to live in the new structure? As usual I posted the question on social media and the following the comments were made on the subject.

“Supposedly they are working on Holland St. today to take one whole side for big a red bus lane from Davis to Teele and bike lane on the opposite side. No more parking spaces at all on the bus lane side, obviously. But the new mayor wants people to support local businesses. Where are people gonna park to visit these businesses?”

“Don’t the same people own the homes?” (good question!)

“Sounds great! Projects like this can help relieve the extremely difficult housing and rental market that we are experiencing in the Boston area. I hope the previous residents received an appropriate buyout.”

“Chelsea has the same problem. No concern for the quality of life for people that have lived there for years.” (amen)

“Sad. Teele Square as well as all of West Somerville looks nothing like it did. Driving in west Somerville is a maze of concrete in the middle of the streets. Take the top of Cameron Ave. as an example.”

“I lived at 221 Holland Street about five houses away from Western, they turn them into condos.”

When they demolished the high school auditorium, I started feeling very sad to see parts of my childhood destroyed. I’m sure we’re gonna see a lot of other buildings go the way of the condo of the apartment building. I guess it’s just part of progress but it really sticks in the heart.

I didn’t realize the magnitude of the move until I went there in person to take pictures.

What a shame.