UNION SQUARE: US2 SAYS IT’S READY TO LISTEN

Union Square & US2 SNN Video Link

Somerville, MA, July 15, 2014 – The new master redeveloper for Union Square told residents, business owners and members of the Union Square Civic Advisory Committee that his firm is ready to work with the community as plans for redeveloping seven parcels there move forward.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to work with all of you to create your vision for Union Square,” Greg Karczewski, Director of Development for Union Square Station Associates (US2), told about 40 people gathered at the Dr. Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park on July 9.

US2 is a partnership of two Chicago firms: Magellan Development Group and Meisirow. It was chosen late last month by the Somerville Redevelopment Authority to be master developer of seven blocks of property – totaling about 12 acres – in and around Union Square. US2 is now in the process of setting up an office and getting input for a master plan that it will develop with city officials.

US2 has also agreed to a community benefits agreement (commonly referred to as a “CBA”), which is a legally binding contract that the firm will negotiate and then sign with the City and community groups. It might include such promises as a certain percentage of public open space, jobs and storefronts reserved for city residents and other benefits or amenities.

At the July 9 meeting, CAC Chair Wig Zamore said that not everyone’s priorities could be met, but that the process for negotiating the agreement would be transparent and inclusive.

“We’ll want to make sure we reach out to everybody in the community with regards to their needs and their ideas for what should go into a benefits agreement,” Zamore told the assembled listeners.

In his brief presentation, Karczewski talked about some of the ideas his firm has for the neighborhood. Asked about how US2 would encourage economic development, he noted that the developers would be taking into account the habits and needs of the future workforce, which will be made of up “millennials.”

Several people expressed concerns about those who live, work or do business in the Square today.

“What ideas do you have for supporting small businesses and residents?” Bridget Breton asked. “Our rents are already going up.”

Karczewski said US2 was “absolutely focused on that” but did not offer any exact ideas at the meeting. Instead, he promised a document that would lay out ideas as well as findings from research his firm did “about keeping local and independent retailers in place.”

“I think it’s going to take a community effort,” he said. “We’re going to need the community’s help and we’re going to need the City’s help to make sure we preserve what’s here.”