Development in Assembly Square stalled

The development of Assembly Square has become the primary issue for many Somerville voters as they prepare to cast their ballots in next month's mayoral election.

And the two candidates, Joseph Curtatone and Tony LaFuente, disagree with how the project should proceed.

Curtatone advocates immediate development of Assembly Square to increase commercial tax revenue. LaFuente has advocated more planning before beginning construction.

Assembly Square is Somerville's only undeveloped waterfront location and the largest space for commercial development in the city. It extends along a 3/4-mile strip on the Mystic River next to Interstate 93.

City officials have been eager to develop the area for commerce, which would increase the Somerville's tax base reduce the burden on residential taxpayers. Development has been held up for five years because of disagreements between state and town factions about what the development should include. Talks between state and town officials broke down in August.

The biggest debate is whether or not "big box" stores, such as IKEA and a new Home Depot, should be allowed. Although both stores were approved the city, the Mystic View Task Force (MVTF), a community action group set up to scrutinize the project, has filed lawsuits to prevent construction.

The MVTF's vision of the site forgoes large retailers in favor of offices, smaller shops, and green space. They believe office space will bring in five times more revenue than big box stores and produce less congestion.

Both mayoral candidates believe Assembly Square should include a mixture of developments, but have different ideas about timing.

"My proposal would give Somerville its best opportunity to move quickly on Assembly Square so that we can begin reaping the $5 million in tax revenue that the city so desperately needs," Curtatone said.

LaFuente disputes his opponent's estimate of the tax benefits because he says they suggest that the city will earn the maximum tax revenue sooner than it could.

"Joe, you have to stop telling these lies," LaFuente said at the mayoral debate.

State Rep. Patricia Jehlen told The Somerville Journal that "even if the city had done exactly what the developers wanted and Mystic View had not filed any lawsuits, we would have at most $250,000 in new revenue this year."

Curtatone is advocating a compromise and has been pushing for rapid development. His plan calls for construction of the IKEA store to begin immediately, but he says Home Depot should stay in its current location.

But LaFuente criticized Curtatone's plan, predicting any attempt at development would fail without the approval of all the principal parties.

"We need to bring everyone back to the table," LaFuente said. At a debate last Monday, LaFuente promised voters that development of Assembly Square would happen within two to three years.

For Curtatone, that is not soon enough. He cited figures from City Assessor Richard Brescia that indicate the average two-family property owner could save up to $1,000 per year if residential taxes were replaced by income from Assembly Square.

Curtatone based his numbers on a site with "mixed use development with public access to the beachfront." Residences and offices would be mixed with commercial properties, ensuring a 24-hour presence in the area.

While Curtatone and LaFuente originally supported the MVTF, they have spent their campaigns trying to distance themselves from the MVTF's current litigation.

"I agree with the long-term vision of the MVTF [to develop Assembly Square], but not with the current tactics," Curtatone said, even though he is a member of the task force.

Although LaFuente believes that Assembly Square needs a mixture of development, he disagrees with the tactics of the MVTF and has made criticizing the task force part of his platform. He has also criticized Curtatone for being a member of the MVTF, and says that his plan will lead to the creation of a strip mall.

If the city returns to the negotiation table as LaFuente suggests, it may be able to secure a T stop at Assembly Square. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) proposed building a stop at Assembly Square on the Orange Line, but withdrew the offer because of the project's delays.

Transportation is one area Curtatone and LaFuente agree should be improved. The increased access to public transportation would relieve traffic congestion in the area make it easier for residents to commute.

MVTF President Bill Sheldon said the MBTA has promised complete funding for a T-Stop to be built at Assembly Square if plans for development can ensure 8,000 boardings a day. The target for the stop at Davis Square is 10,000 boardings a day.

But he argues that building big box stores would not entice the MBTA to the site.

"The state will not give us a dime for a T stop if Assembly Square develops into a big box mall," Sheldon said.

Somerville residents have become frustrated at the delays in starting construction. The Somerville Journal suggested in a recent editorial that the delays contributed to the defeat of Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay in last month's primary election.