Federal Transit Administration releases first $100 million toward total approved $1 billion for project. T issues “Notice to Proceed” to design-build firm.

The Federal Transit Administration today informed the MBTA Green Line Extension (GLX) Project Team that it has released the first $100 million installment of the total approved $1 billion in federal funding for the 4.7-mile light rail line from Cambridge to Medford, marking another milestone for the project. With federal funding in place, the MBTA issued the Notice to Proceed to GLX Design-Build team, GLX Constructors. After a sealed price opening last month, GLX Constructors won with its bid, a total of $1.08 billion.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Stop and Shop store at Alewife Brook Parkway last week on reports of two customers fighting.

Upon arrival a woman known to them as Kafia Mohamed standing near the entrance abutting Alewife Brook Parkway. According to reports, she was visibly upset, crying and yelling at two other females standing a few feet away.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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)

From celebrating a milestone birthday, to seeing the highest local election turnout in years (31.6 percent – more than double the turnout in 2015), to launching various community planning processes focused on community health, workforce development, and combating climate change locally, Somerville’s 175th year has been one of the best yet. While it’s impossible to list everything we’ve accomplished together in 2017, take a look at just some of the highlights:

The Kiwanis Club of Somerville held its 18th annual Christmas Party for Early Head Start children on Sunday evening at the Somerville Holiday Inn. Forty-seven Head Start youngsters, accompanied by their families were sponsored by Kiwanis members who supplied them with salad, pizza and soft drinks before the big event, the appearance of Santa Clause. Thanks to the generosity of sponsoring members, Santa was able to present each child with a present selected just for him or her. A good time was had by all.

— Photos by Bobbie Toner

Somerville’s annual ceremonial lighting of the Menorah on the City Hall Concourse took place on Tuesday, December 19, with Rabbi Eliana from Temple B’nai Brith. All members of the community were invited to join Mayor Curtatone and city staff for the brief ceremony.

A student housing shortage has Tufts University looking outwards for more space to put beds.

By Jim Clark

At the latest regular meeting of the Somerville Board of Aldermen last week, Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang reported on the business of the Committee on Housing and Community Development which met on November 29.

Among the matters discussed at that meeting was the proposed conversion of wood-framed offices into residential units for students of Tufts University.

“Catalyst: craft + social change” now showing at the Nave Gallery.

By  Ahmed Sorour

“Change begins at home,” or so the saying goes. At a time where American institutions are coming under assault, generations are splitting apart, and fault lines in politics are appearing, what better way to exemplify “change” than with an exhibit celebrating community and social change through domestic art?

Citations were awarded to outgoing members of the Board of Aldermen and other civil servants at the latest regular meeting of the Board last Thursday. Commendations were awarded to:

Alderman John M. Connolly, the longest serving alderman in the history of the City of Somerville, for his outstanding service to the people of Somerville as Alderman At-Large from 2007 to 2017, and, prior to that, as Ward Six Alderman from 1984 to 2005.

The Somerville Times staff will be taking a week off, with no publication on Wednesday, December 27. Our print edition will be back on January 3 of next year. Meanwhile, we will still be online at www.thesomervilletimes.com.

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Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a very Happy New Year in 2018 to all our readers both in print and on social media as well as on our website. We hope everyone has a great holiday with their family and friends. A very blessed New Year for 2018. The annual celebration of the raising of the first American flag will be on January 1, as usual, up at Prospect Hill.

$1 billion Union Square redevelopment moves forward

The Somerville Planning Board recently voted unanimously to support Union Square Station Associates’ (US2) Coordinated Development Plan (CDP), a plan that will propel Union Square into the future as an economic engine for the City. In another crucial step, the Board of Aldermen also voted to approve District Improvement Financing (DIF) for Union Square, setting in motion crucial upgrades to Union Square’s infrastructure.