Somernova did this same thing a couple years back, three blocks from my house.
They came in with a wildly oversized proposal that basically the whole neighborhood barfed on, and then negotiated and negotiated and eventually got a merely huge development approved.
medium.com/@fdmts/somer...
3/?
They came in with a wildly oversized proposal that basically the whole neighborhood barfed on, and then negotiated and negotiated and eventually got a merely huge development approved.
medium.com/@fdmts/somer...
3/?
Somernova
Somernova — a subsidiary of Rafi Properties —is applying for a zoning overlay under which they would demolish the low-slung industrial…
medium.com
September 1, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Somernova did this same thing a couple years back, three blocks from my house.
They came in with a wildly oversized proposal that basically the whole neighborhood barfed on, and then negotiated and negotiated and eventually got a merely huge development approved.
medium.com/@fdmts/somer...
3/?
They came in with a wildly oversized proposal that basically the whole neighborhood barfed on, and then negotiated and negotiated and eventually got a merely huge development approved.
medium.com/@fdmts/somer...
3/?
I want to see higher density in Somerville (which is funny because we're already far and away the most densely settled city in New England), but my sense of this project is the developers did a piss-poor job of engaging with neighbors. Compare and contrast to the multi-year effort to sell SomerNova.
August 31, 2026 at 6:08 PM
I want to see higher density in Somerville (which is funny because we're already far and away the most densely settled city in New England), but my sense of this project is the developers did a piss-poor job of engaging with neighbors. Compare and contrast to the multi-year effort to sell SomerNova.
Unironically, which one?
I'm assuming you mean 90 Washington, but given that US2 and Somernova are both on indefinite pause until [checks notes] the madness abates ...
I'm assuming you mean 90 Washington, but given that US2 and Somernova are both on indefinite pause until [checks notes] the madness abates ...
June 25, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Unironically, which one?
I'm assuming you mean 90 Washington, but given that US2 and Somernova are both on indefinite pause until [checks notes] the madness abates ...
I'm assuming you mean 90 Washington, but given that US2 and Somernova are both on indefinite pause until [checks notes] the madness abates ...
speaking of, when are we getting that 230-foot market basket that nimby guy threatened about if SomerNOVA was built next to it?
One of my all-time favorite NIMBY statements is when someone said the new three-story development in our downtown area would blot out the sun and cast the main street in eternal shadows. My wife and I still joke about it.
Those buildings should have had six floors, not three.
June 10, 2026 at 5:44 PM
speaking of, when are we getting that 230-foot market basket that nimby guy threatened about if SomerNOVA was built next to it?
Standing here in the Armory … which was up for sale when the city took it by eminent domain … at a gala for the Somerville Media Center … briefly displaced before finding a great space at Somernova …
Local media and the arts are on a knife’s edge folks.
2/?
Local media and the arts are on a knife’s edge folks.
2/?
June 5, 2026 at 12:25 AM
Standing here in the Armory … which was up for sale when the city took it by eminent domain … at a gala for the Somerville Media Center … briefly displaced before finding a great space at Somernova …
Local media and the arts are on a knife’s edge folks.
2/?
Local media and the arts are on a knife’s edge folks.
2/?
Thanks to Somernova for the invitation to a meet and greet / mix and mingle with @mayorjakewilson.bsky.social at @greentownlabs.bsky.social this evening.
It’s a good crowd.
It’s a good crowd.
April 29, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Thanks to Somernova for the invitation to a meet and greet / mix and mingle with @mayorjakewilson.bsky.social at @greentownlabs.bsky.social this evening.
It’s a good crowd.
It’s a good crowd.
That's my district! Exciting news. Sen. Jehlen has been relatively good on a lot, but abysmal on housing production.
February 18, 2026 at 2:28 PM
That's my district! Exciting news. Sen. Jehlen has been relatively good on a lot, but abysmal on housing production.
Wowwwwwww. Public transit in Somerville is still so fucked that Google maps legit suggests taking a bus from Somernova (on Somerville Ave) out to ARLINGTON and then back out again in order to go to Taco Loco in East Somerville. O.o #somervillema #somerpoli #transit #bus #publictransit
December 18, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Wowwwwwww. Public transit in Somerville is still so fucked that Google maps legit suggests taking a bus from Somernova (on Somerville Ave) out to ARLINGTON and then back out again in order to go to Taco Loco in East Somerville. O.o #somervillema #somerpoli #transit #bus #publictransit
there's still a slim chance on the table of extending the Union Sq line to Porter with a stop at Somernova en route
December 11, 2025 at 6:17 PM
there's still a slim chance on the table of extending the Union Sq line to Porter with a stop at Somernova en route
Join us at Somernova Dojo for installs of our Security Package. We believe this is the best budget-friendly option for potential bike recovery. Signups will close at 10pm on Monday, Nov 3rd. We will also have LockBlocks available for Aventon Abound LR/SR owners.
October 29, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Join us at Somernova Dojo for installs of our Security Package. We believe this is the best budget-friendly option for potential bike recovery. Signups will close at 10pm on Monday, Nov 3rd. We will also have LockBlocks available for Aventon Abound LR/SR owners.
#bostonweekend 3x Thu FUNDRAISER Support the #somervillemuseum's 100 years - 108$ tickets get knocked down to 92$ with the code ASIMOV https://www.somervillemuseum.org/calendar-events/rewind-record-play
#SomervilleMA #boston #bostonarts
#SomervilleMA #boston #bostonarts
"Rewind, Record, PLAY!" — Somerville Museum
The Somerville Museum is celebrating its 100th Anniversary on Thursday, October 23, 5:30-8:30pm at the Crystal Ballroom with a retrofuturist cocktail fundraising bash sponsored by SOMERNOVA, a generous gift in memory of Amy Anthony and many others!
www.somervillemuseum.org
October 23, 2025 at 8:20 PM
#bostonweekend 3x Thu FUNDRAISER Support the #somervillemuseum's 100 years - 108$ tickets get knocked down to 92$ with the code ASIMOV https://www.somervillemuseum.org/calendar-events/rewind-record-play
#SomervilleMA #boston #bostonarts
#SomervilleMA #boston #bostonarts
Join the @cityofsomerville.bsky.social, the Somerville Commission for Women, and RESPOND Inc. at this year's annual Domestic Violence Vigil.
You can add the event to your calendar at bit.ly/DV_Vigil2025
You can add the event to your calendar at bit.ly/DV_Vigil2025
October 20, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Join the @cityofsomerville.bsky.social, the Somerville Commission for Women, and RESPOND Inc. at this year's annual Domestic Violence Vigil.
You can add the event to your calendar at bit.ly/DV_Vigil2025
You can add the event to your calendar at bit.ly/DV_Vigil2025
/ TEMPS UP IN2 THE LO2MID 70S IN UR TUESAFT
/ COMFY DEW PTS
/ 4 MEYE LECTURE 2NITE BTWIXT 6 - 8 PM @ SOMERNOVA IN SOMERVILLE
/ 6 PM: 64 DEGREES
/ 7 PM: 63 DEGREES
/ 8 PM: 61 DEGREES
/ 10 PM: 60 DEGREES
/ PERFECT WEATHER 4 A REPENTFUL WEATHER IS HAPPENING LECTURE
/ PLS COME ON BEYE
/ COMFY DEW PTS
/ 4 MEYE LECTURE 2NITE BTWIXT 6 - 8 PM @ SOMERNOVA IN SOMERVILLE
/ 6 PM: 64 DEGREES
/ 7 PM: 63 DEGREES
/ 8 PM: 61 DEGREES
/ 10 PM: 60 DEGREES
/ PERFECT WEATHER 4 A REPENTFUL WEATHER IS HAPPENING LECTURE
/ PLS COME ON BEYE
September 30, 2025 at 12:15 PM
/ TEMPS UP IN2 THE LO2MID 70S IN UR TUESAFT
/ COMFY DEW PTS
/ 4 MEYE LECTURE 2NITE BTWIXT 6 - 8 PM @ SOMERNOVA IN SOMERVILLE
/ 6 PM: 64 DEGREES
/ 7 PM: 63 DEGREES
/ 8 PM: 61 DEGREES
/ 10 PM: 60 DEGREES
/ PERFECT WEATHER 4 A REPENTFUL WEATHER IS HAPPENING LECTURE
/ PLS COME ON BEYE
/ COMFY DEW PTS
/ 4 MEYE LECTURE 2NITE BTWIXT 6 - 8 PM @ SOMERNOVA IN SOMERVILLE
/ 6 PM: 64 DEGREES
/ 7 PM: 63 DEGREES
/ 8 PM: 61 DEGREES
/ 10 PM: 60 DEGREES
/ PERFECT WEATHER 4 A REPENTFUL WEATHER IS HAPPENING LECTURE
/ PLS COME ON BEYE
BTP SEPTEMBER MEETUP WITH @weatherishappening.com
WHEN: TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 30TH, 6:00PM - 8:00PM
WHERE: SOMERNOVA, 15 PROPERZI WAY
WHAT: WEATHER IS HAPPENING
#WEATHER #IS #HAPPENING
WHEN: TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 30TH, 6:00PM - 8:00PM
WHERE: SOMERNOVA, 15 PROPERZI WAY
WHAT: WEATHER IS HAPPENING
#WEATHER #IS #HAPPENING
September 24, 2025 at 4:27 PM
BTP SEPTEMBER MEETUP WITH @weatherishappening.com
WHEN: TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 30TH, 6:00PM - 8:00PM
WHERE: SOMERNOVA, 15 PROPERZI WAY
WHAT: WEATHER IS HAPPENING
#WEATHER #IS #HAPPENING
WHEN: TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 30TH, 6:00PM - 8:00PM
WHERE: SOMERNOVA, 15 PROPERZI WAY
WHAT: WEATHER IS HAPPENING
#WEATHER #IS #HAPPENING
We’re quickly approaching the spookiest month of the year, and nothing is scarier than having your bike stolen
Join us at Somernova Dojo for installs of our Bluetooth Security Package. We believe this is the best budget-friendly option for potential bike recovery. Signups close at 10pm on Sunday
Join us at Somernova Dojo for installs of our Bluetooth Security Package. We believe this is the best budget-friendly option for potential bike recovery. Signups close at 10pm on Sunday
September 22, 2025 at 6:16 PM
We’re quickly approaching the spookiest month of the year, and nothing is scarier than having your bike stolen
Join us at Somernova Dojo for installs of our Bluetooth Security Package. We believe this is the best budget-friendly option for potential bike recovery. Signups close at 10pm on Sunday
Join us at Somernova Dojo for installs of our Bluetooth Security Package. We believe this is the best budget-friendly option for potential bike recovery. Signups close at 10pm on Sunday
I just noticed that the new wayfinding signs around Union Square include Somernova and Market Basket.
Is it normal for the city to (in effect) advertise local businesses?
Is it normal for the city to (in effect) advertise local businesses?
September 13, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I just noticed that the new wayfinding signs around Union Square include Somernova and Market Basket.
Is it normal for the city to (in effect) advertise local businesses?
Is it normal for the city to (in effect) advertise local businesses?
Join us Tuesday, August 26th, 6-8pm @ Somernova, for a panel on interaction design!
Designing museum installations 🏦, using game engines as live performance tools 🎭, finishing projects fast 💨, and more. #livecode #gamedev #vj @travh98.bsky.social
Designing museum installations 🏦, using game engines as live performance tools 🎭, finishing projects fast 💨, and more. #livecode #gamedev #vj @travh98.bsky.social
August 19, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Join us Tuesday, August 26th, 6-8pm @ Somernova, for a panel on interaction design!
Designing museum installations 🏦, using game engines as live performance tools 🎭, finishing projects fast 💨, and more. #livecode #gamedev #vj @travh98.bsky.social
Designing museum installations 🏦, using game engines as live performance tools 🎭, finishing projects fast 💨, and more. #livecode #gamedev #vj @travh98.bsky.social
Long-planned ‘tough tech’ campus wins key vote in Somerville
via @bostonglobe.com
via @bostonglobe.com
‘This is the soul of Somerville.’ Long-planned ‘tough tech’ campus wins key city vote. - The Boston Globe
The approved rezoning will pave the way for a 1.6 million-square-foot redevelopment on the so-called Somernova site.
www.bostonglobe.com
July 10, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Long-planned ‘tough tech’ campus wins key vote in Somerville
via @bostonglobe.com
via @bostonglobe.com
Last night the zoning overlay for the "SomerNova" proposal passed the City Council unanimously. Because of years of relentless advocacy from our community, this proposal will provide precedent-setting benefits: youth community center, art space, our 1st Project Labor Agreement, and much more.
"The fundamental question is this: how can we fight to ensure that the economic benefits of these changes don’t just go to the already-wealthy, but are actually shared by the rest of Somerville?"
Here's how I arrived at my vote for the SomerNova zoning: eepurl.com/jhUwXk
Here's how I arrived at my vote for the SomerNova zoning: eepurl.com/jhUwXk
Councilor Ewen-Campen's Somerville Newsletter
How I arrived at my vote for the "SomerNova Zoning" proposal
eepurl.com
June 27, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Last night the zoning overlay for the "SomerNova" proposal passed the City Council unanimously. Because of years of relentless advocacy from our community, this proposal will provide precedent-setting benefits: youth community center, art space, our 1st Project Labor Agreement, and much more.
Councilor @benforward3.bsky.social praises the work that the community and the developer have put in to get the SomerNova proposal to this point.
"Some of the shade that has been thrown at the neighborhood council should rightly be directed at me."
35/?
"Some of the shade that has been thrown at the neighborhood council should rightly be directed at me."
35/?
June 27, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Councilor @benforward3.bsky.social praises the work that the community and the developer have put in to get the SomerNova proposal to this point.
"Some of the shade that has been thrown at the neighborhood council should rightly be directed at me."
35/?
"Some of the shade that has been thrown at the neighborhood council should rightly be directed at me."
35/?
Anyway, now it's SomerNova.
32/?
32/?
June 27, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Anyway, now it's SomerNova.
32/?
32/?
Anyway, it was unanimous in favor of having a city right now.
Then came the recess.
It's 9:30pm and we still haven't talked about SomerNova.
29/?
Then came the recess.
It's 9:30pm and we still haven't talked about SomerNova.
29/?
June 27, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Anyway, it was unanimous in favor of having a city right now.
Then came the recess.
It's 9:30pm and we still haven't talked about SomerNova.
29/?
Then came the recess.
It's 9:30pm and we still haven't talked about SomerNova.
29/?
"The fundamental question is this: how can we fight to ensure that the economic benefits of these changes don’t just go to the already-wealthy, but are actually shared by the rest of Somerville?"
Here's how I arrived at my vote for the SomerNova zoning: eepurl.com/jhUwXk
Here's how I arrived at my vote for the SomerNova zoning: eepurl.com/jhUwXk
Councilor Ewen-Campen's Somerville Newsletter
How I arrived at my vote for the "SomerNova Zoning" proposal
eepurl.com
June 25, 2025 at 7:29 PM
"The fundamental question is this: how can we fight to ensure that the economic benefits of these changes don’t just go to the already-wealthy, but are actually shared by the rest of Somerville?"
Here's how I arrived at my vote for the SomerNova zoning: eepurl.com/jhUwXk
Here's how I arrived at my vote for the SomerNova zoning: eepurl.com/jhUwXk
At last night's Land Use Committee meeting, we amended the "SomerNova" Zoning proposal to require, rather than just allow, a housing component (up to 15% of the square footage), and ultimately passed it out of committee with a positive recommendation. Comes to the full City Council next Thursday.
June 18, 2025 at 1:40 PM
At last night's Land Use Committee meeting, we amended the "SomerNova" Zoning proposal to require, rather than just allow, a housing component (up to 15% of the square footage), and ultimately passed it out of committee with a positive recommendation. Comes to the full City Council next Thursday.
Land Use passed the Somernova zoning overlay out of committee last night with a recommendation to approve.
It was some of the best civics I’ve listened to in a while. Careful, well informed, respectful, and attentive to detail.
Made me nostalgic for simpler times.
It was some of the best civics I’ve listened to in a while. Careful, well informed, respectful, and attentive to detail.
Made me nostalgic for simpler times.
June 18, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Land Use passed the Somernova zoning overlay out of committee last night with a recommendation to approve.
It was some of the best civics I’ve listened to in a while. Careful, well informed, respectful, and attentive to detail.
Made me nostalgic for simpler times.
It was some of the best civics I’ve listened to in a while. Careful, well informed, respectful, and attentive to detail.
Made me nostalgic for simpler times.