Somerville has a housing emergency.
Davis Square should be part of the solution.
Somerville is currently seeking input on the future of Davis Square via a Technical Advisory Committee that is asking the community what they think Davis Square should look like. We think the answer is simple: more housing, more businesses, more Davis Square.
Why Davis?
Somerville needs more homes. But why here, rather than somewhere else in the city?
First, Davis Square is one of Somerville’s most vibrant commercial squares with grocery stores, bars and restaurants, theaters, and more. It’s a cultural hub, and letting more people live in Davis would be great for the people who moved there (old neighbors relocating within Somerville and new neighbors alike), and would give even more support to the businesses and street life that make Davis so special.
On top of that, Davis is the most well-connected place in all of Somerville. It’s immensely walkable, has Somerville’s only Red Line station, is adjacent to the Community Path and the Elm–Beacon bike lanes, and has regular bus service. In short, Davis is the easiest place for car-free living. Building in Davis, rather than farther out, will give us less congestion, less competition for street parking, and more environmentally-friendly living.
Right now, all Davis is missing is housing. Look around and you’ll see single-story retail, office buildings, and the occasional triple-decker or three-story apartment building. You won’t see anywhere for the many people that support Davis to live. That’s a problem.
Who wins when we build?
Two-thirds of Somerville households rent. More homes means more supply, more options, more accessibility. Most importantly, it means we can keep rents from spiraling further out of control.
When we build more homes, we give people a place to live that doesn’t involve displacing someone else. Instead of bidding on your home, new neighbors can bid on a newly built home and not drive your rent up or force you out.
When we build more homes, we give people more choices to pick their housing situation. Instead of four friends having to share a 4-bed, they can each get their own apartment and leave that 4-bed for a family with kids. Empty nesters can downsize or switch to single-floor living without leaving the neighborhoods they love.
When we build more homes, we build homes that work for our elderly and disabled neighbors. Somerville’s older homes are beautiful, but it’s hard to reach even the first floor of most triple-deckers in a wheelchair. Newer, denser buildings are required to provide accessible entrances, elevators, and a proportion of accessible apartments so that our more vulnerable neighbors can continue to live where they grew up.
In short, when we build more homes, we all win.
Make your voice heard
Tell Somerville you want more housing in Davis.
The Technical Advisory Committee is asking what Davis Square should look like. Answer it.
Join our mailing list ↗ Join the Davis Square Neighborhood Council ↗ Tell the City What You Think ↗Please reach out to info@vibrantdavis.org if any links are broken & let us know.