Somerville officials and one of its key commercial landlords wanted to stem the exodus of clean energy startups with a big, new development. But the presidential election and market realities are threatening that vision.
Developer Rafi Properties is back with a new proposal for a tech campus near Somerville’s Union Square, reducing building heights and parking while seeking to prevent displacement of the cultural economy.
At neighborhood meetings last fall, residents objected to Rafi Properties’ proposed building heights of up to 245 feet, plans for 1,252 parking spaces and loss of arts and cultural space.
