SOMERVILLE – The steel claws of a demolition machine began crushing the first pieces of what was once the Good Time Emporium on Sept. 19, as city officials, Ikea representatives and the public looked on.The scrap heap began to grow, setting into motion the long-awaited redevelopment of Assembly Square.
“The start of demolition to make way for Ikea marks a major milestone for this important and innovative project,” said Mayor Joe Curtatone at the demolition site. “This is the best smart growth, transit-oriented development on the East Coast.”
After more than 10 years of local battles and bureaucracy, the start of Ikea's construction in Assembly Square, marks the start of the area’s redevelopment, scheduled to be finished by 2011. The Assembly Square location will join the Swedish furniture retailer’s 37 stores in the United States. It will be the second store in Massachusetts.
The new Ikea is part of the large, “urban village” redevelopment plan for Assembly Square, which includes retail spaces, restaurants, apartment complexes, a new T station and a river-side recreation park on the Mystic River.
After more than 10 years of local battles and bureaucracy, the start of Ikea's construction in Assembly Square, marks the start of the area’s redevelopment, scheduled to be finished by 2011. The Assembly Square location will join the Swedish furniture retailer’s 37 stores in the United States. It will be the second store in Massachusetts.
The new Ikea is part of the large, “urban village” redevelopment plan for Assembly Square, which includes retail spaces, restaurants, apartment complexes, a new T station and a river-side recreation park on the Mystic River.
The plan, projected to cost about $1.3 billion, is managed by Federal Realty, a real estate investment company that owns the Assembly Square property.
The demolition is the first step in a complicated project which will include the building of luxury housing, offices, shops and a park over the next two to three years, said Don Briggs, senior vice president of development for Federal Realty at the demolition site.
For years, Assembly Square has been little more than a large parking lot for a Kmart, Staples and several other retailers. But with the development plan, the area is getting a complete makeover.
“The Mystic River waterfront at Assembly Square is a vastly underutilized community gem,” said Jackie Rossetti, a spokesman for Mayor Curtatone. “The plans for the development will not only create hundreds of new housing units, including affordable housing, but also a large number of new jobs and revenue-generating businesses for the city.”
The plans also include a complete revitalization of the waterfront itself. A large park is planned to give the community an opportunity to enjoy the riverfront as a part of Somerville’s continued effort to increase green space.
The redevelopment has been a subject of debate for more than 10 years, because of neighbors' concerns about construction and traffic. The residents oppose the disturbance of the three year construction and the increase of traffic the site may bring when in use.
“The Mystic River waterfront at Assembly Square is a vastly underutilized community gem,” said Jackie Rossetti, a spokesman for Mayor Curtatone. “The plans for the development will not only create hundreds of new housing units, including affordable housing, but also a large number of new jobs and revenue-generating businesses for the city.”
The plans also include a complete revitalization of the waterfront itself. A large park is planned to give the community an opportunity to enjoy the riverfront as a part of Somerville’s continued effort to increase green space.
The redevelopment has been a subject of debate for more than 10 years, because of neighbors' concerns about construction and traffic. The residents oppose the disturbance of the three year construction and the increase of traffic the site may bring when in use.
William C. Shelton, president of the Mystic View Task Force, argues that the project will cause a spike in traffic and pollution and cut revenue for nearby businesses which will have to compete with the popular chain stores coming into the square.
Traffic will be altered with any big development plan, Rossetti said.
“As part of the agreement, the city and Ikea negotiated, traffic mitigation must be included in their development plan,” she said.
Affordable housing, job creation, and green space are three of the most important concerns of Curtatone's administration, Rossetti said.
“He meets regularly with regional and state officials to ensure that this project continues to meet important deadlines and to scrutinize the final plans and details that will lead to a completed project as early as possible,” she said.
Traffic will be altered with any big development plan, Rossetti said.
“As part of the agreement, the city and Ikea negotiated, traffic mitigation must be included in their development plan,” she said.
Affordable housing, job creation, and green space are three of the most important concerns of Curtatone's administration, Rossetti said.“He meets regularly with regional and state officials to ensure that this project continues to meet important deadlines and to scrutinize the final plans and details that will lead to a completed project as early as possible,” she said.
No comments:
Post a Comment