Many Somerville residents and labor union representatives expressed dismay and disapproval over the proposed Clarendon Hill Public Housing Project as it is currently planned for by the city.

By Jim Clark

The City of Somerville Board of Aldermen Legislative Matters Committee held a public hearing on Monday, May 21, to consider proposals from the administration, the Board, and concerned members of the public in the matter of the Clarendon Hill Public Housing Project.

The project will involve extensive renovation of the Clarendon Hill facility and has become a contentious issue between city administrators, potential developers, and union representatives, to list a few.

The official business at the hearing included three main items for consideration. First, that the Director of SPCD advise the Board on any conditions to be imposed on the developers of the Clarendon Hill housing project regarding property ownership and land use, relocation of tenants, local and state approvals, financing and construction, occupancy requirements, and project design.

Additionally, a request by the Mayor’s Office asked for approval of a Home Rule Petition to authorize the Housing Authority to reconstruct the state funded project.

The third main agenda item was an additional request submitted by the Mayor’s Office asking for approval of a Home Rule Petition to authorize the Division of Capital Asset and Maintenance to convey land to the Housing Authority.

In the Mayor’s Request, it was stated that, “The land is currently a portion of Alewife Brook Parkway and is under the custody and control of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (“DCR”). Conveyance of this land to the Somerville Housing Authority is necessary for construction of a safer intersection and roadway network for the proposed Clarendon Hill redevelopment project.  DCAMM and DCR will determine whether a one-for-one replacement of the square footage conveyed is necessary or whether SHA may pay the Commonwealth the appraised value of the land. Conveyance of the parcel will require a 2/3 vote of the General Court pursuant to Article 97 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

Opposition to the requests were submitted by the Our Revolution Somerville Steering Committee. Their statement read in part: ” We urge the Board of Aldermen not to approve the Home Rule Petition as written. Before considering approval of such a petition, the Board should secure binding guarantees from Redgate [the proposed developer] that it will pay prevailing wage in all blocks of the project, including A+B. It is clear that Redgate has not provided adequate justification for the unprecedented request to not pay prevailing wage on a public work. If they want to stand by their claim that such an exemption is required to make the project financially feasible, then they should be willing to open their books and share detailed financials to prove it.  The burden of justification is on the developer in this case.”

Several individuals, along with 9 unions, submitted comments in written form expressing opposition to the project as planned, and many others addressed the Committee in person at the meeting.

A comment submitted by Ronald Cavallo spoke for many in attendance: “The current going price for a rental unit in Somerville has now hit $700k per unit. Think about a purchase price for land at $50k and a proposed development cost of $300k with the land in relation to that number. I understand the developers would only hold a 99-year lease which has impact on value, We are talking about the obscene margin of $450k per unit; which is nothing short of larceny. I can support these numbers as a developer and a property owner and base them on the developer’s representations. I am irate about this, the density, the proposal, and everything about this development; none of which seems good or justifiable.”

After receiving public comments, the Committee adjourned the meeting and will take further action to determine whether the proposed Home Rule Petition is justified or if an alternative plan is called for.