Monday,
Dec. 1, was a big day for me – and in more than one way. It was
important for me as mayor (and for every Somerville resident) because
Assembly Square received its official designation from the
Patrick-Murray Administration as a Growth Development Initiative (GDI)
district. And it was equally important to me on a personal level
because it was a day on which several key transitions in the Mayor's
Office became official.

There were no brass bands playing at the
GDI announcement, even though the event was sufficiently important that
a band wouldn't have been out of place. Still, the sun was out and the
massive construction shovels were hard at work on the site of the
former Good Time Emporium and future IKEA store, so there was a great
visual backdrop and an appropriately festive atmosphere when we
gathered to celebrate this important Assembly Square milestone.

The
GDI program is an outgrowth of Gov. Deval Patrick's commitment to work
with local communities to fast track permitting and resource allocation
for economic development projects that embrace Smart Growth,
transit-oriented principles. During his 2006 campaign, the Governor
heard repeatedly form business and political leaders that the state's
permitting process was slowing down projects that had already met high
standards for planning and environmental sensitivity, and that these
slowdowns imposed heavy costs in construction delays and lost tax
revenues for cities and towns.

Secretary Dan O'Connell and his
team at the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development have
addressed this problem by identifying "development ready" Growth
Districts throughout the state, and providing those districts with
state assistance that ensures that all required permits are secured,
site preparation is completed, infrastructure improvements are
identified, and marketing resources are made available. Assembly Square
made the first round, and will be eligible for expedited access to
state resources.

This designation is a big deal in itself, but
it's also a reminder that Assembly Square is continuing to move ahead
with steady and visible progress. That's no small achievement at a time
when the national economy is in turmoil and so many other development
projects round the country are on hold or in even jeopardy. Assembly
Square's continued success is the result of a broad-based partnership
with many active members, many of whom were present yesterday to
receive a well-deserved word of thanks.

Given the land swaps,
the home rule petitions, the zoning changes, the planning, the
community advocacy, the vision and financial commitment needed to get
Assembly Square on track, there are a lot of people who deserve credit
for their efforts. This vitally important project could not have become
a reality without leadership from Senators Jehlen and Galluccio (and
former Senator Barrios). It could not have been achieved without the
active support of Representatives Provost, Toomey and Sciortino. It
would have never gotten off the launching pad without the dedication
and courage of the entire Board of Aldermen. It would never have become
the expression of a shared community vision without the leadership and
committed public-spirited advocacy of the Mystic View Task Force and
the Somerville Chamber of Commerce. It would not have been fast-tracked
at the state level without the commitment and follow-through of
Governor Patrick, EOHED Secretary Daniel O'Connell, Undersecretary of
Business Development Gregory Bialecki, Environmental Affairs Secretary
Ian Bowles and state Permitting Ombudsman April Anderson Lamoureux. The
project's crucial transit component – a new Orange Line stop at
Assembly Square – might not have been realized without the timely
assistance of Congressman Mike Capuano, who secured $25 million in
federal funds to help underwrite the cost of the new station.

And,
of course, the entire project wouldn't have gone anywhere without the
resources, experience and vision of our private-sector development
partners, Federal Realty Investment Trust and IKEA. I am especially
appreciative of the way Federal Realty has approached this project as a
shared endeavor, and I am honored by the opportunity I have had to
partner with so many diverse organizations and individuals to bring
this project home for the people of our city.

But of all the
partnerships I have forged, and all the many, many deep friendships I
have enjoyed over my five years as mayor, none has been more important
or more rewarding than the relationships with my colleagues in the
Mayor's Office. I have been unbelievably fortunate in the quality and
ability of the people on my senior staff. I wish I could keep the same
team together always, but I know that change is inevitable, and that
all I can do is thank people for their service, sing their praises at
every opportunity (always an easy task), and wish them well in their
new endeavors.

So here goes: Mike Buckley has been a valuable
aide and friend – the very best – and, while he will go right on being
a friend, he has decided to explore other professional opportunities. I
am excited for him, but I will be truly sorry to see him go. Stephanie
Hirsch, who is an amazingly talented public servant – and who built our
justly celebrated SomerStat program from the ground up – is cutting
back on her workload in order to devote more time to her two young
daughters. I can't argue with that – family should come first. We will
still enjoy the benefit of her analysis and insights, but I will miss
her daily presence and her heroically disciplined approach to making
Somerville city government more efficient, accountable and
customer-friendly.

We'll start looking for a new SomerStat
Director in the near future, but I am delighted to report that we
already have a successor to take up where Mike leaves off. She is none
other than Janice Delory, whom I have lured back to take up Mike's post
as Aide to the Mayor. (Mike Lambert will continue to serve with
distinction in Janice's former position as Chief of Staff.) Given
Janice's past success and popularity, I know that the entire Somerville
community will welcome her return.