But
here is what we do know: Very soon (perhaps as soon as next week),
President Obama is going to get a stimulus bill that he can sign into
law – and when that happens, Somerville will be ready with a list of
precisely the type of "shovel-ready" infrastructure projects that the
President, as well as Governor Patrick, has asked us to provide. In
fact, we've already submitted our list. As soon as funds are available
at the federal level, we can expect immediate and favorable action on a
number of significant initiatives.

At the top of the list (both
for us and for the Governor's Office) is a package of 56 million
dollars' worth of roadway and water-sewer improvements associated with
the $1.36-billion Assembly Square project. Using federal recovery
dollars for these elements of the project will speed up construction
(the designs are already complete) and allow the developers to apply
their private financing to the development of the Phase II waterfront
urban village. Assembly Square would remain on track even without this
funding, but an injection of federal dollars into its necessary public
roadway and water-sewer utility development will create more jobs more
quickly and will accelerate the rate at which other kinds of new
construction can increase the commercial value of the district and
enhance our property tax base.

Assembly Square is a prime target
for federal recovery dollars not only because it's ready to go but also
because, as a transit-oriented project with a mix of retail, housing
and office uses, it embodies all of the most desirable elements in
sustainable urban development. That's why the Governor has already
included Assembly Square in his Growth Development Initiative and why
it continues to enjoy the strong backing of private investors. Assembly
Square is a solid bet – and speeding it up will have beneficial
consequences for the entire regional economy. It's a project that
represents 8,000 construction jobs and 4,000 permanent office and
retail jobs. Hastening its completion is a perfect use of stimulus
money.

We have also submitted smaller but similarly valuable
projects slated for lower Broadway in East Somerville and for Magoun
Square. In each of these areas, improvements in roadways, sidewalks,
landscaping and other public amenities will support local business
districts while creating dozens of construction jobs over the near
term. And, in the case of the East Somerville project, $2.8 million in
federal money would be augmented by $2.2 million in local and state
dollars, so that a timely federal investment would help us make the
best possible use of our own scarce and valuable development dollars.

In
Union Square, the cleanup and redevelopment of the former Kiley Barrel
site provides another good possibility for the use of federal stimulus
money. A $2-million federal investment in the environmental cleanup of
this prime, 32,000-square-foot parcel would clear the way for new
commercial and office development on the site, creating 145
construction jobs in the near term – and up to 300 jobs when any new
facility is complete.

Somerville has even put in a request for
the $570,000 it would take to build out a citywide Wi-Fi wireless
internet system using the City's existing fiber access points. This
project would ultimately be operated for the city under license by a
private company, and would have far-reaching economic development
implications, especially for small businesses. It offers an opportunity
to bring very low-cost, reasonably fast Internet access to many people
who currently can't find a provider or can't afford the cost. Such a
system might not satisfy those seeking fast streaming video or other
high-demand access, but it could be a powerful teaching tool for our
schools and libraries.

Of course, the Senate's retreat from the
school construction package included in the House bill means that some
of our other funding applications – notably for the Brown and East
Somerville Community Schools – may ultimately not be eligible for
stimulus financing. That's too bad. After all, as President Obama asked
in this week's prime time news conference, "Why wouldn't we want to
build state-of-the-art schools with science labs that are teaching our
kids the skills they need for the 21st century, that will enhance our
economy and, by the way, right now will create jobs?" I hope the school
funding gets included in the final version of the bill, and if it is,
then we're ready.

Despite the concerns raised by some critics in
both parties, this is all happening fairly quickly – but Somerville has
moved just as quickly to offer constructive ands appropriate
suggestions about how to put stimulus dollars to work. We will continue
to work closely with federal and state officials to ensure that our
residents benefit from this historic initiative.