The city's latest project to revamp Union Square
entails building a tower atop the old Union Square firehouse, now known
as the SCAT (for Somerville Community Access Television) building in
the heart of the square. The city's goal is to transform the building
tower into an artful beacon and landmark to signify that Union Square
is a lively cultural center.

The city is currently accepting
proposals, and in particular looking for work that is creative and bold
to attract attention. The addition will be purely aesthetic. The
deadline for proposals to the Office of Strategic Planning and
Community Development is March 3, said Monica Lamboy, the planning
office's executive director.

Lamboy looks forward to seeing a
host of innovative proposals since this area is so ripe with
enthusiastic and artistic people. Past projects-such as the winter
lights and funky metal garbage cans and benches-have shown how hard
people are working to improve Union Square.

"It's remarkable
the amount of time that people put into their neighborhood to make it
better," she said. "It really is an active community and here is a real
way to have a visual impact." Once the Green Line is extended to Union
Square, people can say, "Once you get off the train, come meet me at
the beacon," she said.

Mimi Graney, the executive director of
Union Square Main Streets is also excited about the project. She
pointed to the other squares in the area that feature an identifying
landmark. At one point, the World War I monument stood in the middle of
the Union Square plaza (it was since moved over to City Hall) and that
was how people knew they were in the square, she said.

Plus,
the SCAT building can use some upgrades, she added. It's a historic
building but doesn't define the square. "At one point the city wanted
to sell the building or find a tenant," she said. "So it's great that
people have recognized that it is such a landmark in the square."

Built
in 1903, the building once featured an octagonal cupola. The city is
looking for proposals that enhance the existing tower by attaching a
structural element or integrating an intervention that would not
compromise the integrity of the existing structure. Since the beacon
will be seen from afar, proposals must include a light element. Visit
http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/programs/artsunion/street_arch_tower.htm
for more specifications.

Architect Walter T. Littlefield
designed the firehouse, and the square bell tower is derived from
Italian Renaissance villas. Some details, including the granite
keystones, are similar to Roman monuments. People should note the
unique brick wall pattern, a "Flemish" bond of both light and dark
colored bricks.