Why is it so hard to get to Harvard Square from Magoun Square, Ball Square and Winter Hill in Somerville? Why haven’t the two cities (or even private transport organizations) thought of a more meaningful, viable connector?
The topography of Somerville is challenging, though not insurmountable. We’re not talking about the Rockies on Central or Spring Hill, I know, and this is less of a problem for folks living in Davis, Teele, Union and Porter, where bus options abound.
But if I walk from my home in Magoun Square, it’s 35 minutes to Harvard over a pretty good-sized hill. If I walk to take transit from Davis, it’s the same time, or longer. I don’t want to drive, and Ubers, Lyfts and taxis are expensive both ways for a 2-mile ride.
President Barack Obama did it by bike back at his time at Harvard when he lived on Winter Hill, and it remains the quickest way to go. But if I am with friends or I don’t want to get sweaty, sometimes I just won’t go.
I want people who live on Brattle Street to go to Winter Hill Brewing for trivia on Thursdays. Or students who live on Harvard Yard to check out events at Arts at the Armory, or grab Detroit-style pizza at Avenue Kitchen + Bar. The more that we’re interconnected, even more so than we are now, the more enjoyable our livable city experience becomes. Our two cities are creating places that encourage folks to spend more time within them, and get there by walking, public transit and biking.
Cambridge has been working on building up transit within its borders or to Boston’s Longwood area by shuttles run by schools or businesses (including the North Station-Kendall-Lechmere EZRide), and Somerville councilor Kristen Strezo has brought up intercity connectivity to the City Council previously, asking for a study. As a resident, and as a potential funder (i.e., a frequent rider), I think it’s worth considering.
Imagine: you are ready to head out to go to Lovestruck books and grab some pizza at Source afterward. A small vehicle that carries 10 to 15 people, tracked by app, travels a fixed, circular route. You walk over to some spot on Central Street or Cedar and get in. Traffic permitting, you’re at your destination in 10 or 15 minutes.
I have never really liked the term Camberville. It has never reflected my experience of living in Somerville for more than 12 years. But I certainly appreciate how the two cities benefit from each other, not only culturally and socially, but financially, and we can have more of that.
The writer is a Magoun Square resident and former organizer with the Ball Square District Association.