Poplar Street Pump Station

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The Poplar Street Pump Station project will develop a portion of the ArtFarm site in Somerville’s Brickbottom neighborhood to provide critical stormwater management infrastructure and new park space. It is one in a series of projects underway to relieve flooding in the city, prepare for climate change, and reduce Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) in the region. Construction will begin this spring 2023 and is expected to continue through 2025.

The Poplar Street pump station and accompanying underground storage tank will fundamentally change the way stormwater drainage is managed for approximately 60% of the city. It represents a major investment in modernizing the City’ stormwater management infrastructure and increasing preparedness for extreme weather events.

ArtFarm is Somerville’s proposal for our next great public space: a self-sustaining art and urban agriculture laboratory designed to foster community engagement and creativity. A 2.1 acre site located at 10 Poplar St., it will serve as a park, urban agriculture site, and arts hub featuring the ArtFarm community center with performance and exhibit spaces. In discussions since 2015, the ArtFarm was conceived as a unique urban space bringing together residents and visitors. With strong support from community members and the Somerville Arts Council, a commitment was made by Mayor Curtatone’s administration in 2017 to make 10 Poplar Street the ArtFarm’s permanent home. Learn more about Art Farm at: http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/artfarm/

The Poplar Street Pump Station project will develop a portion of the ArtFarm site in Somerville’s Brickbottom neighborhood to provide critical stormwater management infrastructure and new park space. It is one in a series of projects underway to relieve flooding in the city, prepare for climate change, and reduce Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) in the region. Construction will begin this spring 2023 and is expected to continue through 2025.

The Poplar Street pump station and accompanying underground storage tank will fundamentally change the way stormwater drainage is managed for approximately 60% of the city. It represents a major investment in modernizing the City’ stormwater management infrastructure and increasing preparedness for extreme weather events.

ArtFarm is Somerville’s proposal for our next great public space: a self-sustaining art and urban agriculture laboratory designed to foster community engagement and creativity. A 2.1 acre site located at 10 Poplar St., it will serve as a park, urban agriculture site, and arts hub featuring the ArtFarm community center with performance and exhibit spaces. In discussions since 2015, the ArtFarm was conceived as a unique urban space bringing together residents and visitors. With strong support from community members and the Somerville Arts Council, a commitment was made by Mayor Curtatone’s administration in 2017 to make 10 Poplar Street the ArtFarm’s permanent home. Learn more about Art Farm at: http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/artfarm/

  • Progress Update and Linwood St. Detour

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    Poplar Street Pump Station - Progress Update

    City contractors have nearly completed digging the 40-ft deep, 170 ft. diameter area hole that will house the Pump Station's underground stormwater storage tank. Once constructed this tank will have capacity to store up to 4 million gallons of stormwater.


    After excavation is complete, crews will begin prepping the area for the installation of the tank. These preparations include removing loose native rock, installing anchors that will eventually connect the tank to the underlying bedrock, and adding fill to create a level surface among other activities.

    Meanwhile, crews will continue installing underground utility along Linwood Street–requiring a temporary closure of the street. More information included below.


    Linwood Street Closure and Detour

    Linwood Street will be closed between Poplar Street and McGrath Highway beginning March 4th or soon after.

    • Access will be maintained for abutters
    • Northbound traffic on Linwood St. will be detoured via McGrath Hwy or Joy St.
    • Southbound traffic will be detoured via Joy St.

    Please observe posted signage and proceed with caution.


    Anticipated Schedule (subject to change):

    • Approximate duration of this phase of work is two months.
    • Work hours are weekdays between approximately 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

    Construction Impacts:

    • Parking restrictions will be in place around work zones. Please observed posted signage.
    • Elevated noise levels during work hours,
    • Periodic trucking of materials in and out of the work zone.

    If you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400 with questions.

  • Subsurface Utility Work on Linwood St., Begins 10/30 or Soon After

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    City contractors will begin installation of underground utilities within the roadways around the Brickbottom neighborhood starting October 30th or soon after.

    Linwood Street will be closed between Poplar Street and McGrath Highway beginning October 30th for approximately two months.

    • Access will be maintained for abutters

    • Northbound traffic on Linwood St. will be detoured via McGrath Hwy or Joy St.

      • Please observe posted signage and proceed with caution

    Anticipated Schedule (subject to change):

    • Approximate duration of this phase of work is two months.

    • Work hours are weekdays between approximately 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

    Construction Impacts:

    • Parking restrictions will be in place around work zones

      • Please observe posted signage

    • Elevated noise levels during work hours

    • Periodic trucking of materials in and out of the work zone

    If you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400 with questions.


  • Initial Phase of Work Underway at 10 Poplar Street

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    City contractors have begun preliminary work at the 10 Poplar St. site. This initial phase of work consists primarily of readying the site for future excavation.

    Anticipated Work Schedule (subject to change):

    Construction is expected to take place weekdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Initial Locations and Descriptions of Work:

    • Removal of asphalt and concrete surfaces within 10 Poplar Street site.
    • Installation of fencing along 10 Poplar St/Linwood Street site-perimeter.
      • Includes erosion and sediment control around the work zone.
    • Soil characterization and excavation prep.

    Anticipated Construction Impacts:

    • Periodic elevated noise levels (construction hours, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. only).
    • Some on-street parking may be restricted. Please observe posted signage.
    • Trash/recycling pick-ups and deliveries will not be affected.

    As the project progresses additional information on progress and upcoming construction activities will be made available on this page.

    If you have questions, please call the Engineering Division at 617-625-6600 ext. 5400 or email construction@somervillema.gov

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  • March 2023 Pump Station Construction Kick-off Meeting

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    When? Monday, March 27, at 6:00 p.m.

    Please join us for a virtual community meeting to learn more about construction of the Poplar St. Pump Station.

    Topics to be covered include:

    • Intro to City and regional drainage issues
    • Review of how the project benefits the community
    • Overview of the construction process and timeline

    Register to attend: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pNwWLvybT26olnb5QK-ovA



    Meeting information also available in the following languages:

    The City of Somerville may be able to provide you with an interpreter for free. To request an interpreter in your language, please contact the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva or call 311 (617-666-3311)

    Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Adrienne Pomeroy, at 617-625-6600 ext. 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

Page last updated: 28 Feb 2024, 01:21 PM