Projects & Priorities

Davis Square Plaza, the primary entrance to Davis Square from the Day St. parking lot, currently lacks storefronts, seating/tables, ramp access from the parking lot, or general atmosphere.  Asana previously expressed intent to revitalize that part of Davis Square, and we would love to work with them to move forward with a plan to restore it to a vibrant gathering space and welcoming home for local businesses.

Multiple local businesses closed their Elm St. doors in advance of Scape's plan to build lab space over those buildings, which stalled following resident backlash and changing economics.  We are excited to be involved with Copper Mill's regular public meetings about building new housing over that property while maintaining the local shops and restaurants that give the square its distinct character!

📄 Copper Mill Elm & Grove St. Community Meeting Notes
📂 Other Copper Mill Community Meeting files

The Asana and Scape projects (in Davis Square Plaza and Elm St. from The Burren through Dragon Pizza) displaced several local businesses with plans to build housing, which turned to lab space, and ultimately never materialized.  We would prefer to see the upper floors of those buildings developed into housing, which Davis Square (and Somerville more broadly) severely needs.  We would also like to see housing considered for other 1-story buildings in the center of Davis Square, such as the College Ave. T station.

One next step we need to take to make that possible is to get the City Council to update the zoning to allow construction of the housing we would like to see.  We also need to communicate with developers to understand what other factors are preventing them building more housing where it is already allowed.

The Somerville Community path offers a safe, off-street path for families and micromobility commuters, connecting to Cambridge Crossing, the Watertown Greenway, the Minuteman Bikeway, and more.  For path users unfamiliar with the Davis Square area, however, the square bisects the path.  We want to add wayfinding signage and art from community members to welcome path users to Davis Square as well as help them find the path's continuation.

💬 Mailing list thread
📝 Wayfinding ideas
📄 Mural initiative

We support long-term visions like the Elmway proposal, but we also need near-term safety improvements for pedestrians, including:

• Address red light runners from Highland Ave. conflicting with walk signals

• Finish the moved crosswalk at Day St. & Elm St. and remove the decommissioned one

• Add a crosswalk across Elm St. at Davis Square Plaza (to O Ginger)

• Stripe Elm St. for 1 travel lane and more orderly pick-up/drop-off

• Improve signage for off-street parking lots to reduce double parking and illegal parking in crosswalk “daylighting” zones and bike lanes

Neighborhoods thrive when we get to know and support our neighbors.  We love larger city-wide events like HONK! and Porchfest, but we also want to foster regular little neighborhood events.  Anyone for some co-working at Diesel, or coffee in Statue Park? Want to help host block parties during the warm weather months?

📝 Brainstormed ideas so far
💬 Start a conversation on the DSNC mailing list/forum