By Jason Gutierrez

Tufts of neon hair and patches of tattooed art piled into Somerville’s Rockwell Theater. Packed risers overflowed onto the venue floor. Voices touched every corner of the small black box theater, lulled at the drop of house lighting, then leapt all at once towards the host of the evening.

Strong enthusiasm for Prospect Union Square’s upscale living and unparalleled proximity to the Green Line extension has leased more than half of the available apartment units

US2, a joint venture between Magellan Development, RAS Development LLC, Cypress Equity Investments, and Affinius Capital, announced that the first residents at Prospect Union Square have moved into the new, 450-unit apartment community comprised of a mid-rise building and 25-story tower located within the USQ development. At the time of the initial move-ins, more than 100 units, representing over half of the available market rate apartments from Phase 1 and 2, have been leased. Managed by Bozzuto, Prospect Union Square sits in the heart of bustling Union Square with access to the new MBTA Union Square Green Line station at the building’s front door.

The city’s Urban Design Commission met last week to discuss options for development of the property at 142 Cross Street. — Image courtesy of Khalsa Design Inc

By Beatriz Leite

This past Tuesday, July 11, the Urban Design Commission of Somerville gathered to further discuss the plans for 142 Cross Street, which have been in discussion and consideration since April 25.

Please be advised that SPD received a report of a door-to-door magazine subscription scam that occurred in the area of Prichard Ave and Kidder Ave. Residents are advised to be wary of all unsolicited offers and to research the company/service before providing any form of payment. Residents are also advised not to share any personal or financial information nor let unknown salespersons into their homes.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

With countless businesses leaving Somerville one by one I thought it would be fun to try to construct a perfect city with former businesses. So of course, I asked my social media friends from Somerville to chime in as we construct the perfect Somerville. I’ll start it off with The Venice Cafe!

Davis Square rocks this week as both the Crystal Ballroom at the Somerville Theatre and The Rockwell will play dual hosts for the third annual NICE, a fest all ages event from July 20 to 23.

Somerville resident John Baino, nephew of former Mayor Gene Brune, recently received a plaque for after being inducted into the American Football Association Hall of Fame Semi-Pro Football. Family and friends celebrated this achievement with John at Casey’s on Friday night, July 14.

Some members of the Brickbottom community in the courtyard of their building. — Photos by Maile Blume

By Maile Blume

The Brickbottom Artists Building has provided the space for makers to live and work together since 1988, however, the influx of development in the Brickbottom area is raising some questions among the community about the changing landscape of the neighborhood.

The Department of Racial and Social Justice recently dialoged with a representative from The Black Response Cambridge over alternative emergency response models.

By Cassidy Beek

The Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) discussed alternative emergency response models as part of the Public Safety for All (PSFA) webinar series, on Wednesday, July 12, with Stephanie Guirand from The Black Response Cambridge.