Follows $2.2M in funding for affordable housing; recommendations headed to Board of Aldermen for approval

More than $1.9 million for historic preservation and green space projects including Prospect Hill Tower and Park, the Community Growing Center, and the Somerville Museum has been recommended by the Somerville Community Preservation Committee, which reviewed 15 applications for funding through the Community Preservation Act (CPA).

The Committee’s recommendations for $1,705,978 in historic preservation projects and $227,463 in green space projects were submitted on Thursday, March 12 to the Board of Aldermen, which must approve the Committee’s recommendations. If the Board of Aldermen rejects a selected project or reduces the recommended funding level, the Committee can respond and adjust the scope and terms of any proposed project before a final decision is made by the Board.

“The CPA is a tremendous tool that has expanded our ability to meet the community’s goals of preserving our rich history, expanding our green space, and increasing our affordable housing stock, and it allows the community to fund projects that otherwise might not receive the financial support they need,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “I want to thank the Community Preservation Committee and the community for their input and recommendations on how to prudently and wisely spend this funding. These are worthy projects that will strengthen our community and keep us on track to meet our collective goals, and I look forward to the Board of Aldermen’s vote.”

“Our community has played a critical role in helping the Committee make these recommendations,” said Michael A. Capuano, Community Preservation Committee chairman. “We received over 100 pages of written comments on the projects that sought CPA funding, and many members of the public asked questions and advocated for projects at the Committee’s meetings. We’re grateful for the feedback and excited to undertake, with the Board of Aldermen’s approval, the first CPA-funded projects in Somerville’s history.”

These historic preservation and green space project recommendations follow the Committee’s previous recommendation—requested by Mayor Curtatone and approved by the Board of Aldermen in January—to appropriate over $2.2 million in CPA funds to the Somerville Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing in the city. CPA funds must be used for affordable housing, historic preservation, open space or outdoor recreation projects.

Applications for CPA funding were first released in August 2014 after the Committee approved its final Community Preservation Plan. After an initial eligibility application, full applications were accepted through November 2014, after which the Committee held two community meetings in January and accepted written comments on the applications for two months. The Committee evaluated the applications and public comments at two meetings in February before voting on March 4 on its recommendations to the Board of Aldermen.

Approximately $4.9 million in CPA funds were available this year for projects, from the 1.5% property tax surcharge, matching funds from the state, and additional appropriation by the Board of Aldermen. If the proposed funding is approved by the Board of Aldermen, $616,711 in CPA funds collected in FY14 and FY15 would remain and be rolled over into FY16—$507,880 for open space and outdoor recreation and $108,831 in flexible funds, per the Community Preservation Plan.

— City of Somerville