According to the OSPCD, the goal of this project is to improve access to existing and future rapid transit stations, better the potential for businesses in critical locations and many other major benefits and opportunities. As it lies now, the OSPCD believes that Broadway has the capability of being a central point of business and residence, one that can improve the overall quality of life for Winter Hill and East Somerville residents.

The plan currently is to first rezone Broadway so that the city can regulate the uses, setbacks, lot area coverage, floor area ratio and building envelope of the lots that businesses buy on Broadway. The Broadway Corridor is envisioned by the OSPCD to have safe, vital streets with both daytime and nighttime activity, a mixture of businesses that would attract both Somerville residents and passer bys, green spaces as well as plazas, a reduced zoning burden, and act as the gateway to the city.

They believe that the economic revitalization of the Broadway Corridor is imperative to the improvement of life within the neighborhoods Broadway falls into. Some of the key organizing principles that the OSPCD cited were to facilitate development in opportune areas, respect the transition between commercial and residential districts, a balance of amenities, ensure design quality and compatibility and encourage sustainable development. Mr. May stated that the new zoning would "say something," and that "the most sustainable area is one with its own residents walking and shopping in their own areas."

Most of those in attendance had major concerns and questions for the OSPCD, as well as straightforward objections to the project. One resident was concerned about the Central Business Grounds zoning of the Nunnery Grounds. Others seemed to be very interested in where the call of action came from for this project to begin. The OSPCD stated that a board appointed by the Aldermen in response to a neighborhood outcry began this study. Still, a number of residents in attendance at this meeting states that they 'love the character of Broadway' as it is, and that if they wanted a more commercial and heavily populated neighborhood they would move to a different one.

Congressman Mike Capuano was one of the concerned residents in attendance on Wednesday night. He made it very clear that he was not there as a congressman or elected official, but rather as a resident of Winter Hill that was not sold on the concepts and objectives of this project. He stated that the plans would encourage no setback or parking, and a higher density of buildings and people, which would lead to somewhat of a canyon leading all the way down Broadway. He asked the representatives of the OSPCD, "Why would we want to do this, where is the negotiation for the city," and "who advocates higher density in their own area?" Mr. Capuano believed that the proposed zoning would encourage businesses to build the maximum.

The OSPCD stated that this plan is now a 'magic wand,' and that there is still a very public process to go through before any of it solidifies. The plan as is serves as a concept and nothing more. In addition to this plan, though, Mass Highway is carrying out a engineering study of Broadway, which could lead to the remapping of streets, sidewalks, lighting and the like. In 2010, the City is scheduled to invest $5 million toward the street beautification project of Broadway from Garfield Street to Sullivan Station.

The OSPCD cited that there are still many steps in the process that are intended to tweak the plan and raise the interest and voice of the community. Next, the OSPCD will draft a Staff Report for submission to the Board of Aldermen in early September, which will lead into the Board of Aldermen referring the proposal to the Planning Board and Board of Aldermen Land Use Committee. From there, a joint hearing of the Planning Board and the Land Use Committee must be held, at which abutters, community members and property owners will be able to provide testimony.

For any more information on this project, as well as an extensive plan of the proposed new zoning of Broadway and a more detailed description of the concepts and findings of the OSPCD, either call City Hall at 311 or visit the City of Somerville's website. Remember to keep up with this project; the best chance of making it all work is to have as many resident voices as possible speak up at these meetings.