Room for Open Space at Assembly Square
According to an article in today's Globe, "Land swap could pave way for Somerville Ikea," by Kristen Green, Assembly Square property owners are negotiating a "land swap."
"The proposed swap calls for [Swedish retailer] Ikea to give its 16 acres on the river to Federal Realty Investment Trust. Federal, in turn, would give the furniture company 11 acres behind Home Depot, closer to the highway. . . ."Federal Realty said the trade would allow it to build 1,300 more condos and apartments than it had planned, for a total of 2,646. Federal also would build 15,000 square feet of office space. The plan also calls for a 200-room hotel and 230,000 square feet of ground-level retail space, including a supermarket."
Based on national averages, more than one-third of the households in Assembly Square will include dogs.
Of course, for the livability of the mixed-use development at Assembly Square, adequate open space must be planned for residents, visitors and commuters. For the safety and enjoyment of all, open space in Assembly Square should be planned to address the needs of dog owners with an adequate area for off-leash recreation, facilities for waste removal, and signage advising people that they must leash and clean up after their dogs in areas that are not deisgnated for off-leash recreation.
UPDATE 12:49 p.m. The City's press release, "Mayor Praises Agreement Between Federal Reality Investment Trust and IKEA On Assembly Square Plans," highlights the opportunity, provided by the proposed swap, for "public-access parkland."
