Working group will review effects of changes to parking Central Hill Campus as a result of construction on the new Somerville High School

Site preparation is underway for construction on the new Somerville High School project, which has resulted in a reduction in parking on the Central Hill Campus (which includes City Hall, Somerville High School, and the Somerville Public Library) and the need for increased staff parking the surrounding public streets. The City is seeking residents impacted by the changes in parking to serve on the Central Hill Campus Parking Working Group.

The working group will review the effects of changes to parking on the Central Hill Campus that will occur gradually between 2018 and 2020 and the resulting implementation of a zone-based parking system on the residential streets surrounding the Hill. Tasks will include but are not limited to:

·       Reviewing parking utilization data and resident and employee survey data

·       Reviewing and advising on strategies to mitigate any resulting challenges from the parking changes

In addition to two residents, the working group will comprise a representative of the Board of Aldermen, two City staff, and two School staff.  The seven members of the group are expected to be liaisons for their respective constituencies and must be willing to serve as a sounding board and be available to community members by email, phone, and/or in-person meetings.

The working group is anticipated to meet every other month on Thursday evenings in the third floor conference room at City Hall, and members must be able to attend those meetings. Members of the working group are expected to serve during the duration of the high school construction project, which is expected to be complete in summer 2021. The City’s Transportation & Infrastructure Division of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development will staff the working group.

Interested persons who wish to apply for the working group should submit their name, address, telephone, email address, and a brief statement outlining their interest and ability to represent their neighborhood in the working group by Monday, February 5, at 9 a.m. Information can be submitted by emailing mtremblay@somervillema.gov or by mail with a postmark of Friday February 2, to Attn. Mike Tremblay, Senior Transportation Planner, City of Somerville, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143. This is a volunteer position.