[SBC] EOEA # 13989 – Assembly Square Mixed Use Redevelopment

[alanjane at highstream.net]

Via email: deirdre.buckley at state.ma.us				April 6, 2007


EOEA Secretary Ian Bowles
Attn: Deirdre Buckley, MEPA Analyst
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114

RE: EOEA # 13989 – Assembly Square Mixed Use Redevelopment

Dear Secretary Bowles:

The recent settlement agreement between the Mystic View Task Force and
Somerville’s Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning is a great framework of
smart-growth and transit-oriented development needed at Assembly Square for
Somerville and the region. Part of what is needed is world-class transit,
pedestrian and bicycle access to make the development attractive to visitors
other than by car. To accomplish this, it is very important that bicycle and
pedestrians routes from the new Orange Line station and from outside Assembly
Square are considered everywhere in the design. The Somerville Bicycle
Committee is concerned that the present plans as shown in the Expanded
Environmental Notification Form for the proposed IKEA and Assembly Square
redevelopment are not detailed enough to give sufficient confidence that this
will ever happen. Therefore, we request that MEPA require the following
specific auto traffic mitigation improvements to be included in the EIR:

1. MYSTIC RIVER PATHS -  The existing bicycle and pedestrian paths along the
Mystic River should be completed from the Ten Hills neighborhood, under Route
28, along the shore line of the DRC land along the redeveloped Assembly Square,
under the MBTA Orange Line and commuter rail tracks to Draw 7 Park. From Draw 7
Park, paths should go across the Amelia Earhart dam as well as continuing to
the planned Path along the Mystic River shoreline of the MBTA Bus Yard, which
sits on the Somerville/Boston (Charlestown) border, and connects to Route 99
(NOTE: the MBTA has agreed to construct this Path as part of a settlement with
the USEPA). This bike and pedestrian corridor will be both a long-distance
route for recreational and commuting but also allow access to the planned
Amelia Earhart dam crossing to Everett, the new Orange Line Station and
Assembly Square itself.

2. AREA CONNECTIONS - Bicycle “facilities” are needed on roadways leading to and
into the redeveloped Assembly Square and IKEA. Depending on how busy the motor
vehicle traffic is expected to be, these facilities could be separate paths,
bike lanes alongside motor vehicle lanes or shared lanes with motor vehicles
(on the slowest internal streets). The needed bike and pedestrian connections
from surrounding areas include from Sullivan Square, under I-93 at Foss
Park/lower Broadway area, and Ten Hills are challenging at best but still very
important. As these will all also be very busy motor vehicle connection points.
While we understand that the developers do not control all these connection
points, the developers need to insure these bicycle and pedestrian connections
are implemented in the same sense that regional roads that they don’t control
still will be connected to their internal streets.

3. INTERNAL CIRCULATION - Bicyclists and pedestrians will need access of course
to- and between all the buildings within the development. In addition to the
creative placement of pedestrian sidewalks and bicycle paths that will make
this a pedestrian-oriented development, bike facilities should be included on
the busier internal streets. At a minimum, this should include bike lanes of
sufficient width along Assembly Square Drive and Foley Street all the way to
the new Orange Line station. Serious consideration should also be give to a
separated bike path along Assembly Square Drive since it will be such a busy
thoroughfare.

4. MBTA STATION ACCESS - An easterly exit from the new Orange Line station for
pedestrians and bicyclists to access Draw 7 Park should be added. Although not
primarily a bicycle issue, the present plans do not show an entrance to the
IKEA anywhere near the new Orange Line station.

5. BICYCLE PARKING – While bicycle parking is required by Somerville’s zoning
regulations, exemptions could be applied for and received. Therefore the EIR
should insure that there will be significant bicycle parking the final plans,
including locked and covered facilities to make non-auto use attractive. If the
IKEA would install a state-of-the-art bicycle parking facility, it could be a
showcase to show the entire country how bicycles and bicycle parking are
incorporated into smart-growth development.

Thank you for considering our comments on this proposed development.


Sincerely,



Alan Moore
Chair, Somerville Bike Committee


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