An original plan for Magoun
Square was actually created a few years ago, but involved only aesthetic
improvements and landscape beautification. The final plan introduced on
Wednesday has been amended over the past 2 years and is much more grand in terms
of scope and financing. The approved design now involves major safety and
operational traffic improvements–changes that local residents and officials
found to be necessary. Mayor Curtatone referred to the initial design as "window
dressing that didn't address the problem" of safety concerns that currently
exist at the massive intersection in Magoun Square. "We stayed committed to the
best project," said Mayor Curtatone, "the top project that will improve safety,
improve traffic flow, and will unlock some economic opportunity." The project is
primarily state sponsored, but things have been able to move quickly due to the
recent allocation of federal stimulus dollars that will help support the
redevelopment.

The current design will improve pedestrian safety by
adding more crosswalks, refurbishing and shortening current crosswalks that will
comply with the American Disabilities Act, and will add brick walkways similar
to Davis Square. The plan also calls for major aesthetic upgrades that include
landscaping, streetscaping, street lighting, and bicycle accommodation. The city
will install 4 bike racks, add 8 additional trash bins, and will plant 16 new
trees in the Magoun Square area. They will also purchase and install ornamental
street lights, ornamental traffic signals, metal benches, and will create a
brick façade around all landscaped features. The redevelopment will also take
into account the issue of traffic in the Magoun Square area by synchronizing two
sets of lights in an attempt to redesign the flow of traffic and ease
congestion.

The plans for construction have already gone out to bid and
are due back from contractors on September 29th at 2 pm. The redevelopment has
been scheduled as a 535 day contract and will begin in the Spring of 2010 with
an option to do some potential layout work in the Fall of 2009. David Giagrande
assured residents that all businesses and residences will remain accessible
during the construction and doubted that there would be a need to temporary
shut-down any major utilities in the neighborhood. With new mandated safety
regulations, Giagrande did admit that there is a possibility of losing a few
parking spaces in the Magoun Square area.

Some residents took issue with
the choice of brick walkways due to their propensity to shift over time,
referencing the current problems at Davis Square. All designs were signed off on
prior to this final community meeting and no fundamental changes are to be made.
Another resident questioned the steep crossing ramp at the Medford/Broadway
intersection, but Giagrande stated that, due to the natural grade of the street,
few improvements can be made.

Ward 5 Alderman Sean O'Donovan was grateful
for the Mayor's support and feels that this project is a necessary improvement
to the area. "Magoun Square is an area that is not at all pedestrian friendly
and vehicular-wise has issues that need to be addressed," said O'Donovan. "The
original plan was more of a beautification project that, in our view, did not
address the public safety concerns that we as elected officials had discussed
with our constituents."

Updates on the upcoming construction schedule
will be available on the city website or by calling 311.