The recent efforts by the Davis Square Streetscape group to bring together residents and city planners for the purpose of seeking solid direction in the future development of the area are to be lauded. It is always encouraging to see citizens involved in community planning, and civic leaders receptive to the input given.

It would be nice to see this sort of thing expanded and taken advantage of to a greater extent throughout the city. Perhaps this will be something we can look forward to in the months and years to come.

Opinions differ widely among locals as to the quality of life in and around Davis Square. Some like it – even love it – a lot, while others are left cold. Self-styled old-timers often express a preference for the pre-Red Line, slower paced environment, while the current tempo and style of the area seems to be agreeable to many others.

The important thing for all concerned is that we do our best to attain the best results possible as we move forward in planning and implementing the area’s development over the short and long haul.

All of our major city squares heavily contribute to the overall picture of life here in Somerville, and it is up to us to contribute what we can to the decision-making processes as we move into the future. Davis Square is certainly no exception, and we should hope for – and work for – the most successful vision for the area that we can.

This we must do for the good of ourselves and for the generations to come. We must and, as expected, we will.