Council committee backs $56,215.42 to install Bluebikes station at 495 Columbia Street development

The Somerville Finance Committee on Oct. 21 recommended approval to appropriate $56,215.42 from the bike share stabilization fund for installation and startup of a Bluebikes station at the 495 Columbia Street development.

Alan Inacio, director in the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, said the station will be a 19‑dock unit with 11 bikes and a solar‑powered kiosk. He told the committee the project is privately funded in part by the development and the city will purchase the 11 bikes and pay installation and startup costs from the bike‑share stabilization fund.

"This is another privately funded bike station in the 495 Columbia Street development project. It's a 19 dock station. We will be purchasing 11 bikes," Director Alan Inacio said. The item’s memo attached in Legistar included a cost breakdown and specifications, Inacio said.

Committee members asked about tenancy and building occupancy; Inacio said the economic development team is monitoring commercial vacancy and tenancy and staff would follow up with specifics on tenants if requested.

The committee laid the item on the table to recommend approval; the clerk read the motion to recommend approval of items on the table and the roll call recorded unanimous approval.

Clarifying details: the station is a 19‑dock Bluebikes station with 11 bikes and a solar‑powered kiosk; staff attached a memo with cost breakdown and specifications to the Legistar item; tenancy status of the building was not specified and staff offered to follow up with economic development for details.