MGNA: Medford Green Line Neighborhood Alliance

Last week, Cummings Properties invited some MGNA representatives to discuss the issues related to the Green Line terminus station near Route 16. Cummings owns the buildings at 196 and 200 Boston Avenue.

At the meeting, Cummings President Dennis Clarke presented a drawing of a station platform concept just beyond Route 16 but before the river. (The link contains a partial scan of the drawing.)

Those of us at the meeting (myself, Doug Carr and Melissa Bennett) thought the concept was intriguing, although there are many issues regarding the suitability and feasibility of this location, the obvious ones being the proximity to the river, green space that would be affected, what changes would be required to the Route 16 bridge, and the aesthetics of an overhead platform.

Still, we think it’s worth paying a visit to the site to look at it from the perspective of what has been proposed.

So, there will be an MGNA field trip/meeting on this Saturday, March 31. We will meet at 9 a.m. at the Mystic Valley Parkway/Boston Avenue site, across from the U-Haul.
We will follow up the site visit with a regular MGNA meeting at the Wild Oats Community Room starting at approximately 10 a.m.
- Ken Krause

For Immediate Release - March 22, 2007
Contact: David Jordan 617.722.1578

Medford Legislators Secure Funding For First Phase of the Green Line Extension

[Boston] Today, the Massachusetts Legislature approved a $1.47 billion immediate needs bond bill that includes funding for the
environmental review and preliminary design of the Green Line Extension from Lechmere Station in Cambridge into Union Square and
Medford Hillside. With support from local legislators, funding for this project and other critical projects heads to Governor Patrick’s
desk.

“Today is a turning point for the Green Line extension,” stated Senator Jehlen. “For the first time, we finally dedicated funds to
move forward this important project.”

“By authorizing this bond, we will be able to address the state’s most pressing and immediate capital needs,” said Governor Patrick.

“The state has talked about its commitment to the Green Line for a long time, but talk is cheap,” said State Representative Carl
Sciortino. “Now, instead of hot air, we finally have cold hard cash to make this project a reality.”

The funding included in today’s bond bill represents the Commonwealth’ s first appropriation to the Green Line, which is
legally mandated mitigation for the Central Artery Project. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection submitted to
the Environmental Protection Agency a revised State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the project and other Central Artery mitigation
projects on December 13, 2006. The revised SIP stipulates that the Green Line Extension to Union Square and Medford Hillside be
completed by 2014.

“The increased access to public transportation will benefit Medford residents by improving air quality and promoting economic growth,”
added Representative James Marzilli.

The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office issued the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the project on December 1, 2006, which created a scope for the project. As a result of today’s bond bill, the Executive Office of Transportation will have
the funds to begin the DEIR in July.

“With this funding in hand, our job is to continue to receive community input in order to ensure that the community’s needs are
heard and met,” concluded Senator Jehlen.