Somerville Local First realizes the impact that city policy has on local businesses. Therefore, we have teamed up with Ward 5 Online, created by board member Courtney O'Keefe, to bring business owners and their patrons the latest updates on the legislative front in Somerville.

Welcome to Ward 5 Online

This Just In... Roche Bros In Davis Square?

Could the wait for a ground-level occupant of the Social Security Building in Davis Square be over? It is a possibility, according to Alderman At Large Jack Connolly's Facebook page (and Twitter).

The Vice-President of the Board of Aldermen broke the news that the market chain was interested and will hold a tentative meeting on-site (240 Elm Street), Wednesday September 10th at 6:00 PM.

Do comment your thoughts below...

Mayor Cites City's Strengths and Challenges in Business Town Hall Discussion

Mayor Joe Curtatone addressed a room full of business owners and residents in his May 20th Business Town Hall Meeting. This is his ninth time accepting the Chamber of Commerce's invitation to speak.

During his presentation titled, "Progress, Growth, Service," Curtatone pointed out ways the City's has invested in improving its economic performance, but also cited areas where the City could improve.

Whether it was improving the East Somerville streetscape or rolling out a new design for Davis Square, Curtatone highlighted the rapidly-changing physical setup of Somerville as one of the biggest changes the City is undergoing to attract new businesses and patrons. One future project noted was the grounding of the McCarthy Overpass and replacing it with a boulevard featuring bike lanes and wider sidewalks. East Somerville also features wider sidewalks giving restaurants an opportunity to expand services to outside seating and traffic upgrades in an effort to make the business district easier to navigate by foot or bicycle.

East Somerville and Davis Square are joined by Brickbottom, Innerbelt and Central Broadway as focus areas for rejuvenation according to the presentation. Davis Square is close to 100% design completion with renderings scheduled to be rolled out this summer. Brickbottom and Innerbelt are both slated for infrastructure upgrades while community feedback sessions are already underway for Central Broadway linking Foss Park to Magoun Square.

Major physical changes have made Somerville one of the top-ten most bikeable and walkable cities...honors that have led to economic stability, Curtatone insisted.

Although Somerville has made great strides in economic performance, there is still work to be done and Mayor Curtatone was not shy about pointing out areas where the City falls can certainly improve to be on the same pace as businesses.

For example, the Inspectional Services Department has been a main priority, not only for the Mayor, but for the full Board of Aldermen, as well. The addition of an Inspectional Coordinator, more convenient hours, dedicated inspectors for dumpsters and rodents, and an upgraded front office have been good steps forward for the department. The average response time for ISD has dropped from 30 days to just under a week, according to the presentation. The Mayor did, however, note that the department still has a long way to go to keep up with demand.

On May 21st, the City really stepped up their game with the launch of Citizen Serve where users can purchase permits and schedule inspections. Although not all permits or licenses are available at this time, the website alleviates a huge burden for those looking to do construction work in the City. The information compiled by the website will be available to inspectors, via iPad, out in the field. The Mayor announced the launching at the Business Town Meeting.

The administration is not only committed to making Somerville physically attractive for the current and potential business community, but also making it safer too. Somerville's crime stats have showed significant decreases since 2011. Curtatone credited smaller substations placed in the City for faster response times and more efficient policing that have resulted in a 1/3 cut in crime since 2008.

At the conclusion of the Mayor's presentation, a question and answer period brought up various topics on the minds of the business community. Here are some bullet points the Mayor's response to these questions.

Infrastructure issues with Union Square

• Issues are being assessed 
• Will work with chosen developer to resolve

Winter Hill Star Market

• Appeal of previous court decision in the City's favor is being appealed. 
• City has made it clear that they want to work with the property owner to have a "food source" in the location.

Affordable Housing

• This is a State-wide issue that many Mayors (Boston included) are looking into
• Increase housing stock to help stabilize prices
• SomerVision will be reevaluated to see if housing availability needs to be increased

Davis Square Renovation

• 100% design completed with plans set to be rolled out this Summer or Fall

Proposed Removal of Liquor License Cap (my question)

• City is in support of Governor Patrick's proposal
• City has non-transferable licensing program that requires a yearly nominal fee as an alternative to purchasing a license at an astronomical rate

Easing the process of opening a business

• This is known and the City is looking into making this more predictable 

Bus line services not in sync with business operating hours

• Conversations with MBTA continue, but will increase as Green Line approaches

Somerville Local First and Eastern Bank Present: Harvest Fest 2013!

5th Annual Harvest Fest 2013 presented by Eastern Bank

Local Beer, Food and Entertainment to Support Somerville Local First!

  

Fall is upon us, which means it’s time for Somerville Local First’s (SLF) Fifth Annual Harvest Fest 2013! Presented by SLF Member Eastern Bank, Harvest Fest is one of the premier beer and food tasting events of the year.

Somerville Local First, a nonprofit organization working to build sustainable local economies, will host its fifth annual festival and fundraiser in two sessions on Saturday, October 19, 2013, at the Arts at the Armory. All event proceeds go towards SLF's operating budget to build and strengthen the local movement and local business community in Somerville all year long.

Join Somerville Local First members and local economy advocates far and wide for a day or evening of delicious food from some of Somerville's best local restaurants, local beer from some of the favorite independent brewers from Massachusetts, great live music, games and much more.

This is not your average nonprofit gala and has become one of the most anticipated events in greater Boston. Tickets are on sale now: http://bpt.me/453075.

Somerville Local First Executive Director Kat Rutkin says:

"This annual event showcases what is great about local businesses in Somerville­­innovation, hard work and passionate patrons. All have helped strengthen Somerville's local economy and have made it a great place to live, work and play. It is so exciting to be celebrating all of this in our fifth year of Harvest Fest! "

The festivities will be broken down into two sessions, Session 1 from 2 p.m.­5 p.m. and Session
2 from 6 p.m.­9 p.m., and will bring together the best businesses in the local movement all under one great roof at the Arts at the Armory.

Harvest Fest would be nothing without the beer; attendees will be able to sample unique brews from a wide selection of Massachusetts breweries. A number of locally­owned and operated Somerville restaurants will be highlighted at each session to satisfy every palate and participants will get a delicious serving of each.

These are the confirmed breweries and other libations to date:
*Bantam Cider
*Berkshire Brewing Company
*Blue Hills Brewing Company
*Clown Shoes
*Cisco
*Harpoon
*Mystic Brewing Company
*Mayflower
*Notch Brewers
*Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project
*Rapscallion
*Slumbrew

These are the confirmed restaurants to date:
*Casa B
*Eat at Jumbo’s
*Olde Magoun’s Saloon
*Pescatore’s
*A4 Pizza
More to come!

Entertainment will be provided by Somerville favorites:
*The Sun and the Moon
*Holmes Band
*The Pennies
*Hornography

This is a can’t miss event for supporters of strong local economies, beer lovers, foodies and all those who love Somerville. Harvest Fest has something to offer just about everyone.

Public Hearing Set for September 5th

This Sunday: Local is for Lovers Market!

And it’s back for a third time! The Local is for Lovers Marketplace, a thriving event bringing together local artists, crafters and entrepreneurs is coming back to Arts at the Armory on Sunday, August 25th from 11am-5pm. And it’s just in time for Back to School shopping!

We will be graced by the presence of Knucklebones – only $2 to get in to our Knucklebones Mezzanine for all the play you can handle (feel free to bring your kids, too!).

As always, we will have live music, delicious brews and food for sale in the amazing Arts at the Armory Cafe!

Join us. Live Local. Grow community.