Somerville ARTFarm for Social Innovation

Help Secure ArtFarm Funding: Fill Out the CPA Survey Now!

As many of you know, ArtFarm — the arts and green space project planned for the Poplar Street pump station site — is actively pursuing CPA (Community Preservation Act) funding. This is a real opportunity to help move the project forward, and one of the best things we can do right now is fill out the CPA survey.

It takes just a few minutes, and our voices as artists and residents in the Brickbottom district carry real weight. The more responses they see supporting ArtFarm, the stronger the case for funding. (ArtFarm is listed in the second group of questions.)

👉 https://cityofsomerville.jotform.com/250496011092854

There will also be a public hearing for CPA coming up — more details to follow on that. But for now, please take a moment to fill out the survey and share this post widely!

ArtFarm has the potential to be a true civic landmark for our neighborhood and all of Somerville. Let's make sure decision-makers know we're behind it.

Last month many concerned and curious citizens attended the February 9th meeting at Triangle Coffee Bar as City of Somerville staff presented the latest vision for ArtFarm. You can access the plan here: https://voice.somervillema.gov/poplar-artfarm

City of Somerville Planner Alison Maurer noted the plan’s objective is to “create an effective canvas where art can grow.” Yes!

The current vision includes an outdoor theater and stage, community gardening, gathering spaces, a walking loop, a pop up gallery, a picnic grove, art nodes and more.

In a lively Q&A that followed, community members voiced their concerns and suggestions, including:

- When viewing the plan for the first time, some wondered if the site was over-planned and over-paved.

- While the current plan includes infrastructure for art display throughout the 2.2 acre site, there is a need for dedicated space/infrastructure that supports art-making.

- The Pump Station structure, which will occupy one-third of the site, provides an opportunity for a mural facing McGrath Highway. Rather than it being permanent and static, the suggestion was to make it changeable and dynamic.

- The presentation positioned ArtFarm as a gateway to Somerville, with the “entrance” on the McGrath Highway side. However many visitors will come from the East Somerville T stop (the Linwood side of the Park).

- Relocate the infrastructure and port-a-potties that are currently placed along the Linwood St. side of the park to the Pump Station area.

- Instead of the planned port-a-potties, create a permanent bathroom on site (a good example: Cambridge Commons).

Add your thoughts/ideas/concerns in comments - watch meeting video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf9h49u6Uf4

Thanks!

UPDATE: Join Us WED 4/14 6PM to Review New ArtFarm Pump Station
Learn more & register for this Zoom call at
somervillema.gov/poplar