90 Washington Street in Somerville, Massachusetts, is the focus of a significant redevelopment project spearheaded by the City of Somerville’s Redevelopment Authority (SRA). Originally envisioned as a new civic hub, the project at 90 Washington Street Nyc (Somerville, MA) aimed to transform a derelict commercial site into a space housing police headquarters, a fire station (Engine 3), and emergency telecommunications services. However, the project encountered substantial financial hurdles following a protracted legal dispute over land acquisition costs.
The Backstory: Eminent Domain and Rising Costs at 90 Washington Street
In 2019, under the prior city administration, the Somerville Redevelopment Authority initiated eminent domain proceedings to acquire 90 Washington Street. The initial plan was to revitalize the underutilized site of a former shopping plaza. The initial land acquisition cost was set at $8.78 million. However, a subsequent court ruling dramatically inflated this figure to $35.3 million, plus interest. This legal decision, based on the property’s potential for high-value laboratory development rather than its current zoning, brought the total acquisition cost to approximately $39 million. This unexpected surge in expenses presents a considerable financial challenge for the City of Somerville and the SRA concerning the 90 Washington Street redevelopment.
Financial Implications and the Path Forward for 90 Washington Street
To address the unplanned financial burden resulting from the increased property acquisition cost for 90 Washington Street, the City of Somerville, through the SRA, is taking decisive steps. A short-term bond will be issued, supplemented by other city funds, to cover the immediate payment owed to the previous property owner. Looking ahead, the City will collaborate closely with the City Council and the Somerville Redevelopment Authority to rezone the 90 Washington Street property and prepare it for sale. The proceeds from this sale are specifically intended to offset the significant debt incurred from acquiring the site. Initial steps toward the property sale are already underway, with further details available at voice.somervillema.gov/90washington_redevelopment. In the interim, the City is also evaluating the short-term needs and options for the Fire and Police Departments, including essential maintenance and upgrades to existing facilities, alongside exploring long-term planning strategies.
Community Vision and Future Development at the 90 Washington Street Location
Before its acquisition for civic purposes, 90 Washington Street was known to local residents as the location of Cobble Hill Plaza, a popular shopping center that served the Washington Street corridor from 1982 to 2016. Although closed for a prior, unrealized apartment development project, the site at 90 Washington Street is now recognized as a prime location for transit-oriented mixed-use development, especially given its 4-acre size and proximity to public transport. The current plan prioritizes selling 90 Washington Street for private development that aligns with the community’s vision for a mixed-use space. This vision, shaped by the 90 Washington Street Civic Advisory Committee, emphasizes residential units – both affordable and market-rate – above ground-floor retail spaces, complemented by green areas and civic spaces. Furthermore, the City is exploring innovative approaches like integrating the Engine 3 fire station into the private development, potentially using a public-private partnership model similar to the successful Assembly Row Fire Station project.
Project Site Details and Location Advantage of 90 Washington Street
The 90 Washington Street site benefits significantly from its location near the East Somerville GLX station. This 4-acre parcel has been conceptually divided into distinct zones to optimize its redevelopment potential. These zones include the realignment of New Washington Street to improve traffic flow and safety, the Washington Street Redevelopment Parcels (Parcels A & C) for mixed-use development, and Parcel B, which was initially considered for the Public Safety Building (PSB). The proposed realignment of New Washington Street to connect with Franklin Street aims to create a safer intersection on Washington Street, capable of accommodating a traffic signal for improved emergency vehicle access.
Map of 90 Washington Street Somerville MA redevelopment site, showing parcels A, B, and C and proposed New Washington Street realignment.
