Council accepts state grants for Union Square streetscape, urban-heat resilience and greenway work

The Somerville City Council approved a package of grants intended to advance streetscape, climate resilience and senior transportation projects.

Key grant approvals

- Union Square Plaza and Streetscape Phase 1: The city accepted a $1,400,000 MassWorks grant to support design and early construction work for Union Square improvements, with staff noting Phase 1 will address the Prospect and Webster intersection.

- Blessing of the Bay urban heat resilience: The council approved a $1,367,300 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant (EOEEA) to fund urban-heat resilience work led by Public Space & Urban Forestry.

- Blessing of the Bay Greenway: The council accepted $500,000 from the Department of Recreation toward the Greenway project; this funding will be combined with previously committed CPA funds to continue trail work toward completion.

- Senior taxi: The council accepted a $25,000 MassDOT allocation to support direct transportation costs for the Council on Aging's senior taxi program.

City staff said the Union Square funding will be used alongside prior design grants, and that securing funds early helps keep projects on schedule. Councilors emphasized pedestrian safety at the Prospect/Webster intersection and welcomed the climate-resilience funding to support greenway and urban-heat mitigation work.

Why it matters: These grants unlock state funding for local infrastructure and resilience projects that are central to Somerville's street-safety and climate-adaptation priorities. Early acceptance ensures the city can move design and procurement forward.

What happens next: Departments will proceed with design, community outreach and procurement steps and return with implementation details as projects advance.