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Kate Wheeler submitting comments re: the Union Sq. DIF.
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Dear Mr. Long,
I am writing to join the comment period for the proposed DIF district in Union Square.
I oppose implementing this proposal before more serious study.
Eminent domain seizures of longtime individually owned businesses should be avoided at all costs, especially in cases where there is damage to individuals and individual business owners in favor of corporations or car traffic with little provision to preserve and sensibly protect people who have been part of Somerville's community for decades.
Because of the short time frame with which we're being faced I can only comment on one aspect of the plan with which I am familiar. The notion of turning Ricky's Flower Market into a parking structure is truly heinous. It would be in the city's long term interest to support this longtime thriving business creating a virtual park with flowering plants -- a living, breathing heart for Union Square. What a terrible statement to replace it with a parking garage. If we want to preserve Somerville's character we should uphold existing businesses instead of importing and favoring callous corporations, damaging environmental impacts and destruction of the city's vibrant streetscape and diverse cultural and commercial texture.
Recently when the city wished to reduce parking requirements for multiple family houses, the city planners cited a coming reduction in car use. Why not apply the same reasoning for Union Square? It feels wrong to destroy Ricky's in favor of a hideous massive parking structure. There's even a vacant lot directly across from Ricky's parcel. .
I am sure there are many other instances but there is no time for me to make a parcel by parcel analysis of the DIF proposal other than to say it seems to very premature to push this proposal through.
When there is such hurry from city officials one can only question whose benefit is being served, and why there is an implicit limit on public comment. This is unfortunate. It would foster much more public trust if city government would give up operating in this pushing manner. Quality of life in Somerville is a delicate balance but in the end the residents who live here and the individual business owners who serve our needs should be the only beneficiaries of the city's efforts to maintain and improve itself.
Sincerely,
Kate Wheeler
72 Properzi Way