(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers.)

Unlike other squares in the city, Davis Square is unique and has a distinct vibrant culture not replicated elsewhere. Most cities have a downtown, Somerville does not. Instead it has a number of multi-street intersections we call squares. But Davis Square comes close to being our ‘downtown’.

What makes it different are several aggregating factors not present elsewhere. These include a) a healthy entertainment capacity anchored by Somerville’s only theatre which plays current and cult movies as well as live entertainment, Live theatre at the Rockwell, live music at the Burren and other locations, etc. b) It is a self-contained community that has all its self -sustaining needs in the immediate area, ranging from supermarkets, all the banks, numerous restaurants and every facility needed through to a shoe repair shop. c) It is a destination serviced by integrated bus and rail that enables residents and visitors easy and fast access to the square. There are 9 places of worship in the immediate Davis Square area, adding to the draw to the square. All this has made it desirable for such planned activities as Art Beat, Porch Fest, Summer Streets, Honk and other outdoor activities. All these are unique to Davis and enhance the artistic value of the area.

This is accomplished in a residential area that has had little industry but enjoyed light commercial growth. That it is positioned on a tangent between Tufts and Leslie Universities guarantees an annual new influx of young students seeking the convenient entertainment that is a hallmark feature of Davis Square.

Unlike other squares, Davis has some large areas where people can enjoy the square. Seven Hills, Kenney and Statue Parks as well as the West Branch Library all are well utilized and often the sites of buskers and other street entertainment. The square is also where political rallies are held.

The culture of the square is such that people have come to cherish these unique attributes that are not in any other Somerville square, though some are available in some squares, Davis has it all. Davis has long been characterized by a very active civic group that reaches back in time to the original Davis Task Force that was instrumental in bringing the Red Line to Davis, and such groups have been continually active to this day, such is the civic pride. The residents strongly want to keep and enhance, not change Davis into another Harvard Square full of up-market shops and formula retail. Davis is a square of small boutique businesses that cater to the eclectic needs of the community and thus help sustain the vibrant values of the area.

Alan Bingham

Somerville