The revitalization of Medford Square is an important step for the city of Medford to be taking to become an attraction in its own right, instead of always deferring to Davis Square or Boston. Tufts should find a way to engage itself with the plans put forth by City Hall to further strengthen community relations during an important time for Medford.
Thus far, some Urban and Environmental Planning (UEP) students have been involved in the early stages of the project. The UEP department should continue to work with Sasaki, Inc, the consulting firm handling the project for Medford. Continued involvement on the project will show Medford that Tufts wants to take a vested interest in the future of our surrounding community.
This could be initiated by a Senior Week service project that would see seniors painting the Medford performance shell and planting gardens along the Mystic River. The University should use this event as a springboard to initiate other projects to aid with the revitalization of Medford Square and other parts of the city.
Most Tufts students couldn't even describe where Medford Square is, let alone know what it has to offer. Adding plazas, outdoor cafes and a riverside park would all make Medford Square an attractive alternative to Davis. Tufts students flock to Davis because it has a T stop, but Medford Square isn't much farther away from campus. Although already served by both the 94 and 96 buses from Tufts campus, Medford Square could easily come onto the student radar if the Green Line is ever extended into Medford.
Medford has an unnecessary stereotype among Tufts students as being cramped and grimy. Its revitalization could turn around students' perception of the town we inhabit. Davis Square only recently became thought of as a funky place for college-age students to hang out. Such a transformation is entirely possible for Medford Square as well.
If Tufts could work with Medford on this process from the initial stages, it could significantly help town-gown relations. Medford wants to attract young professionals to the area, what better to attract them than a bustling college atmosphere? It's done wonders for towns like Cambridge and Austin, which have transformed simply from college towns to major economic players. A closer relationship between Tufts and Medford could help both parties involved, and students would enjoy a rejuvenated Medford Square.
