Development without displacement? Green line expansion in union square

Development without displacement? Green line expansion in union square

In my final paper I discuss the Green Line extension project, and the potential impact that I will have on Union Square, and Somerville as a whole. The interesting and unusual thing about Union Square, is that while this change in population has been a natural slow shift over the past 25 years, a proposed transit project is set to dramatically tilt the demographics and cost-of-living in the near future. This project is the expanded MBTA Green line, with a new subway stop at Union Square planned to open in 2017. I believe that gentrification is already occurring in the area, and that the green line extension project will serve as accelerant to the gentrification of the area. I address possible public policy that can be put in place to prevent this possible displacement, while allowing the important transit development to continue.

Lauren Tracey