FREDERICK DESIGN STUDIO
MATTHEW FREDERICK, REGISTERED ARCHITECT
The MBTA's plan to extend the MBTA Green Line to Somerville and Medford continues to move forward, with the opening of the new stations targeted for 2014. The locations of the stations and of the path of the Green Line to Union Square remain under study. This page shows a proposal we first put forth in 2006 as part of our entry in the Brickbottom International Urban Design Competition. The three most prominent features of our scheme are: ~ A single Green Line route in lieu of the widely advocated "trunk and spur" configuration. Whereas the trunk-and-spur layout (see below) uses a main Boston to Medford line and a spur to Union Square, our proposed route uses a single route. ~ A roadway realignment directly joining Washington Street to Prospect Street. This eliminates the longstanding jughandle traffic pattern that has tormented Somerville drivers and pedestrians for years. ~ A new public plaza fronted by the existing post office. The street realignment provides a much needed public space for Somerville, gives the city a front door, and makes Union Square a place rather than a mere crossroads.  Above: The trunk-and-spur configuration widely presumed for the Green Line extension would introduce inefficiencies and inconveniences for the MBTA and its riders. Please e-mail us with comments and suggestions regarding this web page. |
 Benefits of the scheme include: ~The new T Station is placed in the heart of ~Somerville gains a much needed public space and front door. Somerville, the sixth densest city in the United States, has precious little space for public congregation. The new plaza would be intensively used. ~Green Line operations are simplified. Imagine the operational complexities and inefficiencies of the widely endorsed trunk and spur scheme: Two separate train runs would be required from Boston – one to Medford and another to the Union Square dead end. ~Reduction in vehicular congestion and confusion. The main intersection is greatly simplified, and conventional two-way is established on all streets. Additional short-term parking is also provided. ~Maximization of developable parcels. In addition to attractive parcels with strong frontages in the Square, the elimination of the redundant portion of the Green Line to the east (see top right) creates buildable land ideal for larger scale, revenue-generating development. ~Improved access to the Inner Belt District. City officials have long lamented that the limited accessibility of this area hampers its improvement. Solutions put forth to date have relied on unwieldy and expensive overpasses and tunnels. With our scheme's elimination of the rail right of way adjacent to the IBD, the main impediment to accessing the district is removed. ~A phased process, rather than wholesale razing and redevelopment, can be employed. While the construction of a new T line is inevitably disruptive, the scheme otherwise allows the continuance but eventual transition of less pedestrian friendly businesses – the Dunkin Donuts, muffler shop, and others. The scheme also anticipates, but does not require, the planned razing of the existing |
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