[SBC] Bike Committee: City Report for 3/20/07

[SWinslow at ci.somerville.ma.us]

To: Somerville Bike Committee

From: Stephen Winslow, Senior Planner

Subject: City Report for March 20, 2007

Here's my regular city report:

O. Urban Core Study - I sent a letter in on behalf of the Bike Committee
requesting that the Union Square area be included 

1. Status of committee memberships:  No memberships pending

2. Somerville Community Path: 

a. Davis Square: Worked on modifications to Grove Street section. Met with
MHD, Somerville Fire and MBTA Safety officials on modifications developed by
Judith Nitsch Engineering. Significant progress has been made. Continuing to
work on minimizing loss of trees and to identify locations along Path for
replacement trees. 

  b. Cedar to Central: Brownfields Grant has been submitted. No word yet.
City committed an additional $40,00 in funds to match any EPA grant. Focus
has been on lining up funding for the clean-up and park. Land must be
acquired by June 1, 2007. Brownfield Assessment to be done by end of April.
Park Design being added to Path design contract along with additional
funding.  Further review of 25% design to Central will await Green Line
Environmental Review and 25% design. Tufts Students studying Ball Square and
possible Green Line stations from.  

c.	School to Cambridge: Presented Powerpoint on Vollmer Feasibility
Study of extending along the Green Line to EOT Project Managers. They
expressed a commitment to develop a 25% design that seeks to incorporate the
Path but are concerned about additional project costs and operational
issues. I continue to emphasize that strong pedestrian connections will be
vital to the ultimate success of the extension. 

d.	Max Pack: See minutes from other meetings. Bike Committee comments
under consideration as far as I know. Negotiations do not appear to be very
active at this point. 

e.	Other: Somerville will be recognized as an exemplary trail community
in Rails to Trails magazine. 

3. Davis Square Bike Route signs: Cudos to Greg for getting the rest of the
signs put up.. 

4. Safe-START: I will do a presentation for the Bike Committee. Met with
seniors on their concerns. Have not confirmed a public meeting in March.
Significant investment being considered in capital budget. Also meeting with
Rails to Trails to participate in 2010 project that would build coalition
for Active Communities that could help Safe-START and the Community Path
extension to Lechmere. 

5. Mystic River Paths
			*	Wellington Undercarriage: Had a very
successful meeting on the Undercarriage with the neighborhood. Notes
attached. Power point slides will be handed out at the meeting.
			*	April 24th set for date of DCR meeting on
Mystic River Crossing 

6. MAPC Bike Rack Program: No word on possible City or grant sources for
funding. MBTA has indicated that they would install the racks on MBTA
property if City buys them. 
 
7. Assembly Square:
		a.	PUD -  
		b.	Retenanting of the Mall - they are being required to
add 14 bike parking spaces. Much less than the ordinance requires. I pushed
to have them "bank" the ones the are not installing until later but that did
not occur. Will need to continue to review plans to ensure the incorporate
bike parking.
		c.	MEPA Review: Scoping Session on 3/27 comments due on
4/6/07

8. Active Living: Nicole Rioles continues to work with Walk Boston on
walking maps. 

9. Eastern Mystic River Coalition: Coalition continues to meet on issues
concerning development and planning of the Water front. 

10. School Street Bike Lanes: ??? 

11. Beacon Street: Postponed until 2010 TIP. 

12. DCR - Alewife Brook Trail:   No Report

13. MA Central / East Coast Greenway Route from Boston north: No Report 

14. Shape-up Somerville: WalkBoston giving program a "Golden Shoe Award" 
Questions/Comments from the Wellington Bridge Undercarriage
on 3/13/06

	1.	Security and Safety issues of the potential walkway.
		*	Lights underneath overpass
		*	Improved site lines/questions about proper
vegetation (see #7).
		*	Police/Fire/EMS-Jurisdiction issues-who handles
problems/concerns State/City.  Can there be an understanding before the
project is completed.
		*	Include Police/Fire call or panic boxes along path.

	2.	Which entity the City of Somerville or the State will
oversee the maintenance of pathway including snow removal?
	*	Community feels that there has been some neglect by the
State on the Somerville side of the Mystic River.
	*	Will this be a situation such as Dilboy Field and/or
Community Path?

	3.	What materials will be used to construct the walkway and
Boardwalk components?
		*	Durability?

	4.	Where is the crosswalk/ramp going to be located for Shore
Drive and Temple Ave Access?
		*	Community would like to see connection move closer
to Shore Drive.

	5.	Are local residents going to use the new walkway or are they
going to continue with a straight-line approach?
		*	Residents would like to make sure that pedestrian
cross walks are placed in easily accessible locations to go straight across
McGrath Highway instead of under the overpass.

	6.	 Are there any options in the plans to get a more direct
connect to Wellington Station?
		*	Suggestions were to possibly adding a set of stairs
and/or a ramp for ADA.

	7.	What will happen to vegetation/landscaping will be used
around the waterfront area and who would make that determination?

	8.	The possible consideration of the existing sidewalk along
Shore Drive to be considered a bike trail/path?

	9.	Is the Wellington Bridge scheduled for any type of rehab?

	10.	When was the last time it was inspected and the score it
got?










Stephen Winslow
Senior Planner
City of Somerville
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville MA 02143
617-625-6600 x2519