By Joei Chan

On Saturday, March 16, the City of Somerville, partnered with CultureHouse and Neighborways Design, threw a block party at the East Somerville Community School to show and educate those in attendance the safety improvements for Glen and Otis Streets.

At the block party, attendees were informed through various info-graphics displays which showcased the proposed interventions, design options for signs (which included the brand color), and also mural themes for some public art around to be placed around Somerville.

Glen and Otis Streets have been selected as high priority for the neighborhood installations, as there are schools nearby, with high usage from children and elderly citizens alike. People are also known to ride their bikes, walk, and roll alongside Glen and Otis Streets.

The ultimate goal is to create a Neighborway on Glen Street in East Somerville between Tufts Street and Broadway, and on Otis Street alongside McGrath Highway.

A few other goals include increased biking as the primary mode of transportation, and by 2040, they aim for an 80% decrease in carbon emissions. They also hope that these Neighborways will increase safety for everyone, as the slower speeds will top out at 20 mph, and connect schools, homes, businesses, and popular destinations by using signs, mountable barriers, and pavement markings.

The installations should be up during the spring or summer of 2024.