Public Comment Sought on FY21 Community Preservation Act Applications

The City of Somerville Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is seeking public comment on Fiscal Year 2021 Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding applications for historic preservation and open space projects. This year, more than $430,000 is available to support projects in these categories. Feedback from residents will help inform the CPC’s award recommendations. 

The City received two applications in the open space category:

• Renovating the Healey School tot lot, which is the primary outdoor play and learning environment for students in pre-K through Grade 2
• Providing seed funds for the City of Somerville Open Space Acquisition Fund

Six applications were received in the historic preservation category:

• Preserving the detail and craftsmanship of 181 Broadway exterior and window replacement, improving energy efficiency and preserving historic details
• Improving the Somerville Museum basement environment for collection preservation, improved security, and access for the public
• Moving the Works Progress Administration bas-relief at the Central Library to a safer location on the second floor of the library
• Repairing and restoring the exterior wood trim at the Elizabeth Peabody House
• Restoring structural soundness to the Broadway Winter Hill Congregational Church bell tower
• Repairing and restoring windows, cutting and repointing deteriorated brick masonry, and making accessibility improvements to the lower level of the Grace Baptist Church

Somerville residents are invited to review the proposals online at somervillema.gov/cpa and provide feedback either at a virtual public hearing or via written comment. 

The public hearing will be Wednesday, October 28, at 6:30 p.m. on the GoToMeeting platform. The virtual meeting link is available at somervillema.gov/cpa. Written comments should be emailed to CPA Manager Judith Tumusiime at jtumusiime@somervillema.gov by November 2.

More than $750,000 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. 

Since its first funding round in 2015, the CPA has awarded more than $26 million to support a total of 79 projects in affordable housing, historic resources, and open space/recreation land. This includes $3.4 million in matching funds from the State. As a result of these projects:

• 90 new units of affordable housing are being created
• 0.17 new acres of open space are being created
• 10 historic buildings and 3 historic collections are being preserved
• 6 historic buildings are being made more accessible, and
• 9 open spaces are being improved.

For more information, sign up for the CPA e-newsletter by visiting somervillema.gov/cpa and clicking “Sign Up Now for CPA News.”

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings should contact Nency Salamoun at NSalamoun@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2323.