Davis Square Neighborhood Plan

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Project Overview

The Davis Square Neighborhood planning process began in 2013 and has since produced six plan iterations over thirteen years, alternating in focus between a comprehensive neighborhood plan and a more targeted commercial area plan. The relaunch of this planning effort honors the contributions of community members throughout that history, while acknowledging that the neighborhood context has meaningfully shifted. This plan will not attempt to recreate the past, rather, it will recognize and celebrate what came before while intentionally charting a path forward.

This planning process will produce a tangible, implementable 10-year planning strategy grounded in the realities of today's market and regional context, responsive to community values, and oriented toward a future that the Davis Square neighborhood can actively shape rather than simply absorb. The success of this plan and its implementation rely on proposing targeted, realistic actions along with necessary zoning text and map amendments.

The plan will strive to achieve the following:

  • Neighborhood Identity & Activation - Define Davis Square's social and cultural identity and activate underutilized spaces (including opportunities for privately- owned public spaces) for community gathering, services, and programming.
  • Commercial Density & Community Character - Explore opportunities to increase the density of the commercial core in a manner that respects the future physical and social identity of the neighborhood.
  • Infrastructure Assessment & Upgrades - Understand existing infrastructure constraints and opportunities, including flooding, sewer capacity and inflow & infiltration issues to support future development and community needs.
  • Housing & Density - Identify sites suitable for increased housing density, with a strong emphasis on affordability and inclusive development.
  • Streetscape & Mobility Improvements - Evaluate the street network and curb management holistically to improve pedestrian experience, cyclist safety, and traffic flow, including exploring pedestrianizing Elm Street into Elmway. This evaluation will consider incorporating nature-based and heat mitigation elements (e.g., trees, planting barriers, filtering pollutants, traffic barriers, etc.) to the streetscape.
  • Public Realm Enhancement – Assess measures to enhance the public realm (e.g., Statue Park, Kenney Park, Seven Hills Park, and Cutter Plaza). Leverage public space as a driver of economic vitality and establish a formal district management structure to support long-term stewardship.
  • Transit Coordination - Partner with the MBTA to improve transit access and explore opportunities related to the Community Path and station area connections.
  • Sustainability and Resiliency - Integrate sustainability and decarbonization goals throughout all planning decisions. Consider how and where the goals of Climate Forward, the Pollinator Action Plan, the Urban Forestry Plan, and the Open Space and Recreation Plan can be implemented in Davis Square.
  • Managing Growth & Development Impacts - Proactively shape the impacts of development through thoughtful planning and design guidelines that reflect the desired future of the neighborhood.
  • Construction Coordination - Sequence and coordinate major infrastructure, development, and public realm projects over the next decade to minimize disruption and maximize community benefit.

What the plan will do:

  • Define a community vision for the neighborhood;
  • Provide a roadmap of actionable steps (e.g., zoning updates, policy changes, physical realm and mobility improvements, capital improvements, development, etc.) that will implement the plan over a 10-year timeframe; and
  • Create simple sketches to illustrate project concepts.

What the plan will not do:

  • Mandate specific uses or projects on private land;
  • Focus on social services;
  • Guarantee a full buildout (i.e., the neighborhood developed to its maximum capacity); or
  • Produce construction documents.


Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

The application is now open for community members interested in joining the Technical Advisory Committee!

The Davis Square Neighborhood Plan process has officially launched, and the City of Somerville’s Planning Division is convening a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to help guide the effort. A TAC is a group of community members and subject-matter experts assembled to provide specialized guidance, feedback, and recommendations throughout the planning process. As a key partner in the development of the Davis Square Neighborhood Plan, the TAC will help review and strengthen data collection and analysis, inform project priorities, and assist in shaping community engagement efforts.

Members of the TAC can expect to attend three meetings throughout the project that align with key milestones. Information about anticipated meeting timeframes, the length of each meeting, and meeting format (i.e., virtual, in-person, or hybrid) are detailed in the application.

Applicants will be evaluated based on their geographic connection to Davis Square, their commitment to neighborhood equity, and how their professional or lived experience fills one of the following core qualification categories: neighborhood and people advocacy, local business and economy, public realm, mobility and infrastructure, arts and culture.

Although these categories and metrics outline our primary criteria, an applicant does not need to meet every qualification to be chosen; our goal is to select well-rounded individuals who bring unique perspectives to the table. Both personal and professional experience will be weighted equally in selection. There will be several additional opportunities aside from the TAC to get involved in the planning process, including pop-up events, surveys, and community workshops.

To be considered, please apply here by the submission deadline.

Submissions can be completed online, or physical paper applications can be downloaded from the documents section of SomerVoice, printed, and mailed to Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143, or dropped off in person to the Planning Division, located at the Tufts Administration Building (TAB), 167 Holland St, Somerville, MA.

Submission Deadline: July 12th, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Final decisions will be made in late July.

https://forms.office.com/g/iejvJQExMq

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact the ADA Coordinator at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov

If you need assistance translating or understanding this information, please call 311 (617-666-3311) or contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov. The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter for free.



Community Engagement Events

There will be multiple rounds of community engagement throughout the project, with TAC and public meetings alternating to maintain consistent feedback loops. The city will host a variety of in-person and online participation opportunities, including pop-up events, surveys, and community workshops, to ensure broad access and input. The first engagement phase will span approximately two months, running from summer into fall.


Stay tuned for more information about upcoming opportunities!

Project Overview

The Davis Square Neighborhood planning process began in 2013 and has since produced six plan iterations over thirteen years, alternating in focus between a comprehensive neighborhood plan and a more targeted commercial area plan. The relaunch of this planning effort honors the contributions of community members throughout that history, while acknowledging that the neighborhood context has meaningfully shifted. This plan will not attempt to recreate the past, rather, it will recognize and celebrate what came before while intentionally charting a path forward.

This planning process will produce a tangible, implementable 10-year planning strategy grounded in the realities of today's market and regional context, responsive to community values, and oriented toward a future that the Davis Square neighborhood can actively shape rather than simply absorb. The success of this plan and its implementation rely on proposing targeted, realistic actions along with necessary zoning text and map amendments.

The plan will strive to achieve the following:

  • Neighborhood Identity & Activation - Define Davis Square's social and cultural identity and activate underutilized spaces (including opportunities for privately- owned public spaces) for community gathering, services, and programming.
  • Commercial Density & Community Character - Explore opportunities to increase the density of the commercial core in a manner that respects the future physical and social identity of the neighborhood.
  • Infrastructure Assessment & Upgrades - Understand existing infrastructure constraints and opportunities, including flooding, sewer capacity and inflow & infiltration issues to support future development and community needs.
  • Housing & Density - Identify sites suitable for increased housing density, with a strong emphasis on affordability and inclusive development.
  • Streetscape & Mobility Improvements - Evaluate the street network and curb management holistically to improve pedestrian experience, cyclist safety, and traffic flow, including exploring pedestrianizing Elm Street into Elmway. This evaluation will consider incorporating nature-based and heat mitigation elements (e.g., trees, planting barriers, filtering pollutants, traffic barriers, etc.) to the streetscape.
  • Public Realm Enhancement – Assess measures to enhance the public realm (e.g., Statue Park, Kenney Park, Seven Hills Park, and Cutter Plaza). Leverage public space as a driver of economic vitality and establish a formal district management structure to support long-term stewardship.
  • Transit Coordination - Partner with the MBTA to improve transit access and explore opportunities related to the Community Path and station area connections.
  • Sustainability and Resiliency - Integrate sustainability and decarbonization goals throughout all planning decisions. Consider how and where the goals of Climate Forward, the Pollinator Action Plan, the Urban Forestry Plan, and the Open Space and Recreation Plan can be implemented in Davis Square.
  • Managing Growth & Development Impacts - Proactively shape the impacts of development through thoughtful planning and design guidelines that reflect the desired future of the neighborhood.
  • Construction Coordination - Sequence and coordinate major infrastructure, development, and public realm projects over the next decade to minimize disruption and maximize community benefit.

What the plan will do:

  • Define a community vision for the neighborhood;
  • Provide a roadmap of actionable steps (e.g., zoning updates, policy changes, physical realm and mobility improvements, capital improvements, development, etc.) that will implement the plan over a 10-year timeframe; and
  • Create simple sketches to illustrate project concepts.

What the plan will not do:

  • Mandate specific uses or projects on private land;
  • Focus on social services;
  • Guarantee a full buildout (i.e., the neighborhood developed to its maximum capacity); or
  • Produce construction documents.


Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

The application is now open for community members interested in joining the Technical Advisory Committee!

The Davis Square Neighborhood Plan process has officially launched, and the City of Somerville’s Planning Division is convening a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to help guide the effort. A TAC is a group of community members and subject-matter experts assembled to provide specialized guidance, feedback, and recommendations throughout the planning process. As a key partner in the development of the Davis Square Neighborhood Plan, the TAC will help review and strengthen data collection and analysis, inform project priorities, and assist in shaping community engagement efforts.

Members of the TAC can expect to attend three meetings throughout the project that align with key milestones. Information about anticipated meeting timeframes, the length of each meeting, and meeting format (i.e., virtual, in-person, or hybrid) are detailed in the application.

Applicants will be evaluated based on their geographic connection to Davis Square, their commitment to neighborhood equity, and how their professional or lived experience fills one of the following core qualification categories: neighborhood and people advocacy, local business and economy, public realm, mobility and infrastructure, arts and culture.

Although these categories and metrics outline our primary criteria, an applicant does not need to meet every qualification to be chosen; our goal is to select well-rounded individuals who bring unique perspectives to the table. Both personal and professional experience will be weighted equally in selection. There will be several additional opportunities aside from the TAC to get involved in the planning process, including pop-up events, surveys, and community workshops.

To be considered, please apply here by the submission deadline.

Submissions can be completed online, or physical paper applications can be downloaded from the documents section of SomerVoice, printed, and mailed to Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143, or dropped off in person to the Planning Division, located at the Tufts Administration Building (TAB), 167 Holland St, Somerville, MA.

Submission Deadline: July 12th, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Final decisions will be made in late July.

https://forms.office.com/g/iejvJQExMq

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact the ADA Coordinator at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov

If you need assistance translating or understanding this information, please call 311 (617-666-3311) or contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov. The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter for free.



Community Engagement Events

There will be multiple rounds of community engagement throughout the project, with TAC and public meetings alternating to maintain consistent feedback loops. The city will host a variety of in-person and online participation opportunities, including pop-up events, surveys, and community workshops, to ensure broad access and input. The first engagement phase will span approximately two months, running from summer into fall.


Stay tuned for more information about upcoming opportunities!

Page last updated: 18 Jun 2026, 06:13 PM