The
five-mile extension, scheduled to be in place by 2014, will begin with
the relocation of Lechmere Station to the east side of Monsignor
O'Brien Highway, continuing on to the final stop at Mystic Valley
Parkway. Along this new stretch of railway, at least five new stations
will appear in Somerville.

Coordinators of the CCP, a
partnership of four local non-profit organizations including Groundwork
Somerville, the Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership (STEP),
the Somerville Community Corporation (SCC), and the Somerville
Community Health Agenda, arranged the open hall for smaller groups to
sit together; represented by the T stop expected to affect them most.

The
evening began with an hour long open house where attendees took part in
informal discussions, creative activities including "Timeline Tracks" –
a record of personal, historical, and 'T' related experiences from 1950
to the present day, a short film about the Green Line, and even an
opportunity to catch a live performance by Ramblin' Dan, singing his
campaign song, "Charlie on the MBTA."

The objective of the
meeting, which was translated into Spanish, Haitian Creole, and
Portuguese by the Lips Program, was to examine a list of pre-determined
principles and decide on their order of importance.

Calling
the meeting to order, Groundwork Somerville Executive Director Jennifer
Lawrence exclaimed, "Green Line is coming! What is Somerville going to
do?"

In a second round of discussion attendees voted to narrow
down their choices from a list of thirteen. Among the top priorities
eventually included were increased social and economic development, the
creation of community gathering spaces and keeping the city affordable.

SCC
member Mary Regan pointed out the importance of community involvement
in transit related development, using Fruitvale Village in Oakland,
Calif. as an example.

Regan said Oakland's diverse community
came together to make a positive impact in the development of the area
surrounding BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) stations.

"They've created a transit village," Regan said while displaying colorful and thriving images Fruitvale Village.

Regan added she hopes Somerville will soon also share the label.