Through some recent resignations from original members, as well as the desire to expand and broaden the committee, the City of Somerville seeks community members, local advocates and business owners with a range of skill sets and perspectives to fill vacancies on the Union Square Civic Advisory Committee (CAC) and represent the public throughout the planning process for revitalization of the square. Attributes and skills desired by the City and the CAC might include understanding of local population diversity; green, blue, and open space advocacy; emerging economic sectors expertise; fiscal analytics; or other applicable experiences.

Over the next year, the CAC will serve as a public sounding board for master developer partner Union Square Station Associates (US2), while providing feedback and input that will shape the terms of a master land disposition agreement and/or community benefit agreements between the Somerville Redevelopment Authority (SRA) and US2. These agreements will be based on community participation in and reactions to the Union Square Somerville by Design community planning process that is now underway. The CAC’s input will also shape individual land agreements that detail the timing and nature of development on the seven blocks identified for redevelopment in the state-approved Union Square Revitalization Plan.

Community members interested in serving on the CAC should submit a short letter of intent detailing their interest, applicable skills or knowledge, and resume by email to amaher@somervillema.gov, or by mail to Amanda Maher, Senior Economic Development Specialist, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02145. Please include contact information, with your phone number and e-mail address. The deadline for applications is Thursday, February 5^th, with earlier applications strongly encouraged.

Formed in January 2014, the CAC is advising the City on strategic planning decisions and development in the Union Square area, including areas such as economic development and job creation, land use, housing diversity, transportation, open space, quality of life, and preservation of the square’s character. The CAC has evaluated Union Square master developer applicants, recommended four finalists and, after participating in due diligence trips to projects completed by those finalists, submitted an evaluation of each finalist and final recommendations to the Somerville Redevelopment Authority (SRA), which ultimately voted to select US2.