Local News
“The likelihood is, if we can’t find a way to work together,” Flynn said, “that site will likely sit fallow for the next 10 to 15 years.”
The planned tower in Davis Square in Somerville. CBT Architects
The developers of the proposed 26-story tower in Somerville’s Davis Square hosted a public meeting Tuesday night, vowing to earn the trust of the community and return next month with new options for the large development above the Burren.
“I will make a personal commitment that within the next 30 days, we will present multiple options, and they may not be fully baked, they may not be beautiful,” said Andrew Flynn, owner of developer Copper Mill.
Copper Mill also plans to open a project office the week of March 23 at 235 Elm St. “to serve as a gathering place,” Flynn said, including renderings, models, and more information about the project.
During a meeting at the Crystal Ballroom, Flynn reintroduced the plans for a 502-unit apartment high-rise, which would include 126 affordable housing units, on Elm and Grove streets in Davis Square.
In December, Copper Mill filed for a Chapter 40B permit to construct the building in December after what some residents at the meeting called a year of “radio silence.”
“We were trying to engage in dialogue that folks really were not reciprocating,” Flynn said in response. “We really felt the level of vitriol and the spirit of the dialogue really became toxic this time last year.”
The tower’s rendering was met with mostly boos with scattered claps. Many, wary of Kendall Square’s developments and the Seaport District’s industrial look, said the look ought to be more woven into Davis’s character. Flynn concurred.
“To me, they are sterile. They are soulless. They could be in the middle of anywhere across the country, across the world,” Flynn said, referring to the other neighborhoods. “We need this to be anchored in the fabric of Davis Square.”
Some residents criticized Copper Mill for presenting the same plans when community members have already said the project is too large and doesn’t match the character of the neighborhood.
Copper Mill has committed to a 100 percent union workforce and will subsidize two retail spaces for businesses. Any truck loading will be off the street, and there is no planned resident or public parking, Flynn said during the meeting.
“Then you don’t want families,” a woman called out from the audience.
Some residents criticized the unit mix of the building. Of the 502 units, 427 of them would be studio or one-bedroom units. Just 25 units are two-bedroom, and 50 units are three-bedrooms, according to the 40B application.
‘This has to go through us’
Towards the end of the two-hour meeting, Flynn made the personal commitment to present more options meant to address neighbors’ concerns next month, which residents said they appreciated after the difficult meeting.
“It was exciting that he’s willing to bring other options to the table,” a resident named Frank said after the meeting, “but he could really show good faith and follow through on that by withdrawing the 40B and come back to the city.”
Flynn has been trying to develop the parcel since 2019, when his former company, Scape, proposed a six-story building, which was approved as a four-story building in 2022, Boston.com reported at the time. That project didn’t materialize, and Flynn’s new company, Copper Mill, proposed the 26-story tower, which has drawn widespread ire, even as the developers promise to rehome the Burren.
The construction, which Flynn told residents could take place next year, would affect The Burren, Dragon Pizza, McKinnon’s Meat Market, Martsa on Elm, and Kung Fu Tea, some temporarily and others permanently.
While the owner of the Burren supports the project, residents said its temporary absence during construction would leave a hole in the square.
“If you shut down a business and a community for two years that community disperses, you can’t just recreate the facade and have that community come back,” said Rachel, who performs at the Burren.
The meeting was not city-run, but newly-elected Mayor Jake Wilson stood in the back. He did not comment on the meeting, but has previously said he wouldn’t take a position outside of supporting the residents.
Copper Mill’s presentation said that “Davis Square needs a catalyst,” pointing to the empty storefronts and decreased foot traffic. Flynn said the buildings are “not re-occupiable.”
“The likelihood is, if we can’t find a way to work together,” Flynn said, “that site will likely sit fallow for the next 10 to 15 years.”
Elaine Almquist, president of the Davis Square Neighborhood Council, said the organization has not yet taken a public stance on the project. However, the council will take a vote.
“This has to go through us,” she said.
Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more.
Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
