Somerville adjusts redevelopment plans for 90 Washington St.: Focus now on housing

On January 30, 2025, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Due to cost escalation from legal settlement, use to shift from public safety headquarters to housing and mixed use

The City of Somerville announced a recalibration of redevelopment plans for 90 Washington Street following a recent legal decision that significantly increased the cost of the property.

The City will now prioritize the sale of the property for private development, focusing on mixed-use residential development with ground floor retail space–including both affordable and market rate units–that aligns with the community vision outlined by the 90 Washington Street Civic Advisory Committee. Staff will also explore the possibility of integrating Engine 3 into private development, an approach that faces hurdles but could follow the private-public model used to build Somerville’s new Assembly Row Fire Station, which is expected to open this spring.

“This decision was not made lightly,” said Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. “We remain unwavering in our commitment to providing our public safety personnel with the facilities they need, but the unforeseen costs associated with this particular property have significantly impacted our ability to proceed with the original plan for a combined public safety headquarters. But this is Somerville, so this is not the end.”

“We are already working on new approaches to meet our public safety building needs and also to ensure our community gets the best possible benefit from this land,” continued the Mayor. “Under the changed circumstances, that best use is clearly homes to help address the housing crisis–including market and affordable units right next to our new East Somerville T stop. I want to thank the Civic Advisory Committee for their work to envision new opportunities for this site.”

Background

The City of Somerville supported the Somerville Redevelopment Authority’s (SRA) eminent domain taking of 90 Washington Street in 2019 during the prior administration. The goal was to convert the derelict site that was home to a vacant commercial strip to a new civic site housing police headquarters, the Engine 3 fire station, and a new base for E911 Emergency Telecommunications services. But the acquisition cost skyrocketed after a legal battle.

The original cost paid for the land was $8.78 million, but a court ruling increased it to $35.3 million plus interest, bringing the total to approximately $39M. This significant increase was due to the jury determining the property’s value based on its potential for high-value lab building development, rather than its value under existing zoning.

The City by way of the SRA is now facing a significant, unplanned financial cost. To cover the increased payment now owed the property owner, the City will issue a short-term bond and apply other funds on behalf of the SRA. The City will work closely with the City Council and the SRA to rezone the property and prepare the full property for sale.

Proceeds from the sale will be used to offset the payment owed for the property. Initial steps for sale have already begun and can be reviewed at https://voice.somervillema.gov/90washington_redevelopment.

The City will also be exploring interim needs and options for the Fire and Police Departments, including maintenance investments and appropriate upgrades to existing facilities in the shorter term, and exploration of new planning options for the long term.

“We understand that this shift in possibilities and plans may raise questions from our public safety officers and the community. It does for us too, so we’re getting right to work, and we’ll be out discussing this with staff, the 90 Washington Street Civic Advisory Council, the Somerville Redevelopment Authority, and the City Council to keep the community up to date,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “Together, we will chart a new path forward that meets our needs and serves our community.”

-City of Somerville