Authority Takes Union Square Parcels for Green Line Station
“Steven Azar, a senior planner with the city of Somerville, said the redevelopment authority recorded orders of taking with the registry of deeds during the first week of June, which he said means the city now owns the parcels.
He said the city is paying $4.5 million for them.
The so-called North Prospect Block parcels, 21 in all—though many are small and merged together into larger property holdings—sit on the east side of Prospect Street, south of Somerville Avenue and north of the railroad tracks.
The redevelopment authority took the property in order to fulfill a commitment with the MBTA regarding the future Green Line Extension station at the site, and plans for the land takings were outlined in the Union Square Revitalization Plan, which was approved in October, 2012.
In a memorandum of understanding from July, 2012, the city agreed to grant easements to the MBTA so the transportation authority could build the Union Square Green Line station. In return, the MBTA agreed to have the station operational by early 2017.”
Orchard, Chris. Somerville Patch 11 June 2013.