Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville invite you to a design workshop for 90 Washington Street, a 4-acre site near the East Somerville Green Line station envisioned as the future home of a new Public Safety Building and a range of civic, commercial, and residential uses. This is the latest engagement event for the 90 Washington Street project, coming after a series of community meetings and listening sessions held earlier this year. At this workshop, participants can use LEGOs to design their ideal redevelopment of the site. Each model will be photographed and used with other feedback collected to inform a development concept for public review. 

(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)

By State Senator Pat Jehlen

On July 12, I wrote about the eight conference committees meeting to resolve differences on legislation between the House and Senate.  Since then, we have given final approval to four conference committee bills – and passed new bills that need resolution by conference committees. This week, I wrote about the bills we approved on Tuesday. Here is information about the bills we’ve approved on Climate and COVID Extensions.

You don’t have to be a sustainability expert to incorporate elements of eco-friendly living into your everyday routine. This summer, think about the small changes you can make that can add up to make a bigger difference.

Local artist Rebeca Cotton Baez is hosting community art pop-up events at Osgood Park this summer.

Four dates remain for playground pop-up
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By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

Rebeca Cotton Baez, a six-year Somerville resident and local nanny, has a plan to create connections and community in her area.

Starting last Sunday, Cotton Baez began hosting painted playground art pop-ups in Osgood Park near Prospect Hill. In these, participants will create art pieces with their families and get to know people from the community. With five different dates this summer, she hopes to create a sense of community and meet new neighbors.

Somerville has been announced as a host city on this year’s nationwide tour of The Moving Wall, a half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Moving Wall has been traveling to cities and towns across the country for nearly forty years to give those who can’t get to Washington a chance to experience the power of the memorial. This fall, it makes its way to Somerville for the first time, setting up in the Mass General Brigham Great Lawn at Assembly Row, 399 Revolution Drive, November 10-14.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

If you have a nice lawn or garden, this past 90° weather was memorable. You were out there watering in the muggy heat. It’s a labor of love to keep the garden and lawn thriving.

The future of the former Star Market property at 299 Broadway is once again uncertain in light of revelations of the presence of asbestos on the site.

By Mina Rose Morales

The building plans for the former Star Market might cease after developers found asbestos where they planned to build underground parking.

On Thursday, July 21, at 6:00 p.m., the city held a virtual neighborhood meeting regarding the latest news of the development plans for the former Star Market on 299 Broadway. About 50 people attended the online webinar. Audio translation services were offered in Portuguese, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and English.