by Neil W. McCabe

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone
announced Feb. 22 the city would embark on two historic preservation projects
made possible by two grants obtained from the Massachusetts Historical
Commission.

“This funding is a strong
vote of confidence by the MHC in Somerville‘s preservation efforts,” Curtatone said.

Somerville’s Historic Preservation Commission was awarded
$45,000 to rehabilitate Milk Row Cemetery on
Somerville Avenue, and $9,000 to conduct a survey of the historic
value of 150 properties in the Union Squarearea and in other neighborhoods, the mayor said.

Under terms of each
grant, the city will add matching funds – an additional $45,000 for the
cemetery project and $15,000 for the survey, he said.

“Given how tight the State’s Historical Commission
budget has been in recent years, we are particularly honored to have been
chosen,” he said.

Curtatone said the city
has been trying to secure funds to restore the Civil War Monument and several
gravestones at the Milk Row Cemetery, which dates back to 1803, as part of a 2002 master plan, prepared by
Walker Kluesing Design Group of

Boston. The study was made possible through a grant from
the State Department of Conservation Resources.

"Although this
cemetery is home to an invaluable piece of our community’s history, it has been
adversely affected by natural wear and tear and by its location on a crowded,
busy, urban street, he said.

"This grant will
allow us to restore an essential part of our history,” he said.

The survey grant will
allow the city to hire two professional consultants to conduct an extensive
review of approximately 150 properties identified by the city’s Preservation
Commission as likely to meet statewide and national historic designation
criteria, he said.

Most of the properties
are located in East
Somerville and Union Square.

  Due to fiscal constraints, it has been more than
15 years since the city has been unable to undertake such a substantial
property survey, he said.

After the survey
concludes, the city’s Historic Preservation Commission will officially
designate the buildings that match the criteria as historic, he said.

Such a designation
curtails current and future owners from substantially altering the exterior of
structures and helps preserve another critical element of

Somerville’s history, just as Union Square revitalization is slated to begin, he said.

“As development pressures
and land costs continue to escalate in 

Somerville, it’s imperative that we do not lose our sense of
history and place," said Curtatone. "This funding will help ensure
that strong development does not result in a loss of our past and of our
heritage.