~Photo by Ashley Taylor

Proposed tenant faces resistance from residents, city
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By George P. Hassett

“We can do better,” said Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero at a planning board meeting Tuesday. “The Green Line is coming.”

Since 2008, the Ocean State Job Lot – a discount, closeout store – has tried to move into the open space on Broadway with little success even as they received support from the lot’s owner James Cohen.

“We sensed there was not a lot of excitement on Ocean State Job Lot [from the city],” said Cohen’s attorney Robert Allen.

On Tuesday, staff from the city’s planning department issued a recommendation to the planning board – who can issue the special permits Job Lot needs to open – to deny Job Lot.

“In general, while this proposal will fill a vacant building, it will not bring any significant benefit to the streetscape and urban design of Broadway on Winter Hill,” read the report. “Given that surrounding businesses are already struggling and many are continuing on in hopes that the neighborhood will turn around, approval of the proposed permit could potentially result in more vacancies and disinvestment.”

Job Lot executives at the meeting said if opened, the store will employ approximately 50 to 60 Somerville residents and operate Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Most neighborhood residents oppose the store, according to the planning department’s report, but at Tuesday’s hearing some abutters and nearby residents did support Job Lot replacing Star Market, which closed in 2007.

“I guess we have to look at the market reality. To me Ocean State is a good second choice,” said Edgar Dworsky.

Maria Cardinal lives next to the property. “Originally I was opposed to Ocean State Job Lot but I just don’t think it should stay vacant,” she said.

Opponents said the neighborhood needs a new grocery store to replace Star Market.

A recent study by Shape Up Somerville indicated a shortage of fresh and healthy food options in Winter Hill, and a recent survey indicated that residents want a farmers market or supermarket, according to the city’s report.

“I see a lot of momentum in this area, we’re on the cusp of good things,” said resident Jason Miller. “A grocery store with fresh food available would help a lot.”

Opponents gathered 200 signatures in a petition circulated online.

“I’m talking from the point of view of someone who wants their tax bill stabilized,” said David Dahlbacka, a Porter Square resident. “A multi-story commercial building at this site can do that.”

If Ocean State Job Lot is approved they would have a 10-year lease with three successive options to renew for five more years.

“With the Green Line coming, within 10 years the whole corridor will change a lot. I don’t think it’s in anyone’s interest to tie up that property for 25 years,” Dahlbacka said.

Benjamin Levy, a Thurston Street resident, said higher standards for local business development is progress for Somerville.

“I lived through old Somerville and new Somerville,” he said. “And I’m happier with new Somerville where we plan for development rather than the old Somerville where we took anyone who wanted to do any kind of business here.”

The planning board meets again Sept. 2 to discuss Ocean State Job Lot.