Demolition begins as opening is slated for 2011

By Jack Nicas

The first physical step towards IKEA’s arrival in Somerville came Friday, as demolition began on the former Good Time Emporium.

A mechanical claw tore down the well-known satellite dishes atop the former hangout as developers, IKEA representatives and city officials posed in front of the soon-to-be 340,000 square foot Swedish furniture store.

The Somerville IKEA, which will be the 38th such store in the U.S. by 2011, will feature a 300-seat restaurant, bistro and Swedish-food supermarket, employing approximately 500 workers, said Joseph E. Roth, IKEA’s director of public affairs.

Somerville residents, and specifically those of East Somerville, would be given preference for employment, Roth said. “There will be certain time periods in advance when only residents of Somerville can apply for jobs.”

Assembly Square developers Federal Realty Investment Trust expect to complete demolition and begin work on Assembly Square Drive in the spring, said Federal Realty Vice President of Development Don Briggs. ‚ÄúWe’re really working towards closing with IKEA,‚Äù Briggs said. ‚ÄúWe’d like to allow them to start construction about a year from now.‚Äù

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone said the pieces to Assembly Square are falling into place. He cited the passing of Article 97, which facilitated a Mystic River waterfront land swap between Federal Realty and the Department of Recreation and Conservation, and the Federal Transit Administration’s commitment to a new Orange Line station as especially critical to ‚Äúunlocking this area’s potential.‚Äù

‚ÄúWe are well on our way; it’s happening,‚Äù he said. ‚ÄúWe’re building a community here.‚Äù