Public Comment Sought on FY22 Community Preservation Act Applications

The City of Somerville Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is seeking public comment on Fiscal Year 2022 Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding applications for historic preservation and open space projects. This year, more than $1M is available to support projects in these categories. Feedback from residents will help inform the CPC’s award recommendations.  

The City received three applications in the open space category: 

• Design and Construction to expand the Community Gardens at Glen Park in East Somerville 
• Design for expansion of Somerville Junction Park located along the Community Path extension, which is being constructed as part of the Green Line Extension.
• Providing seed funds for the City of Somerville Open Space Acquisition Fund 

Four applications were received in the historic preservation category: 

• Improvements to the Somerville Museum basement to enable the collections to be returned to a secure, climate-controlled environment 
• Design plans to stabilize the second floor at the Elizabeth Peabody House 
• Replacement of failing windows to preserve the 1783 Adams Magoun House
• Accessibility improvements to the lower level of the Grace Baptist Church, including the creation of an accessible entrance from the street 

Somerville residents are invited to review the proposals, which will be available online by October 20, 2021, at somervillema.gov/cpa and to provide feedback either at a virtual public hearing, via written comment, or to participate in a survey available on our web page. Written comments should be emailed to CPA Manager Roberta Cameron at rcameron@somervillema.gov by November 5.

More than $1,320,000 in FY 2021 CPA funds have also been designated for affordable housing projects or programs. Those awards are overseen by the Somerville Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which is accepting project proposals through November 2.

The public hearing will be Wednesday, October 27, at 6:30 p.m. on the GoToMeeting platform. Participants may join online or call in from any phone. Visit www.somervillema.gov/virtualtownhallat the start time of the meeting for the online link or the call-in number. Or, call 311 (617-666- 3311) for the meeting call-in number. For more information or to sign up for the CPA newsletter, visit somervillema.gov/cpa.

Background on CPA Funding in Somerville 

Since its first funding round in 2015, the CPA has awarded more than $28 million, which includes $4 million in matching funds from the State, to support projects at a total of 50 unique sites that have helped to create new affordable housing units, improve, acquire, and create new open spaces, preserve historic buildings and collections, and make historic buildings more accessible. Some recent highlights include: 

• Renovation of the West Somerville Library 
• Rehabilitation of the tot lot at the Healey School 
• Installation of an elevator at the Somerville Museum, in progress
• Improvements to Somerville Community Growing Center 

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Nancy Bacci at 617-625-6600 x 2250 or nbacci@somervillema.gov.