Four Businesses Affected by the Union Square Revitalization Plan
A vintage radiator business, a builder of kitchen countertops, a scrap metal recycling operation and a junk yard are on land destined to be home to an MBTA Green Line station and other development.
Last week, the city released a plan for major redevelopment of Union Square. The first step in that plan is to acquire a "development block," wedged between Prospect Street, Allen Street and Somerville Avenue, that would ultimately be home to Union Square's MBTA Green Line station. It's called the North Prospect Block.
In all, the city has identified seven development blocks it wants to develop. That involves acquiring parcels of land, often from private owners.
The city already owns a lot of land in the North Prospect Block, and here's a short list of businesses that also own land on that development block, businesses that will likely have to sell or move.
A-1 New & Used Plumbing & Heating
The owner, Francis Fahey, has been on PBS's "This Old House." He sells antique radiators along with vintage toilets, tubs and other fixtures for Boston's old houses.
Empire Marble & Granite
This business installs kitchen countertops and floors made of marble, granite, limestone, soapstone and other materials.
Prospect Iron & Steel and Anestis Metals Corp.
A scrap metal recycling business.
Allen Street Auto
A junkyard, according to this website.
In This article
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A-1 New & Used Plumbing & Heating
30 Prospect St, Somerville, MA -
Empire Marble & Granite
50 Prospect St, Somerville, MA -
Prospect Iron & Steel and Anestis Metals Corp.
40 Bennett St, Somerville, MA
Joe Beckmann
11:34 am on Monday, August 20, 2012
And whose campaigns, might we ask, have the owners of these properties enhanced with gifts, jobs for friends, or other benefits? And who is in charge of negotiating real market value for a space like a "junkyard" with polluting consequences...?
AHM
3:12 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Such a shame to see more local businesses that have been here for so many years forced out of business. Having been through the same thing many years ago in Somerville it just forced me out of business which happens in so many of these cases. So I know first hand what it''s like to lose my job this way. Been way too much of this in this city.
wenzday
4:51 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
this article seems incomplete. I would really like to know what the land owners/ business owners think of the plan. Are they eager to sell their land?
I am also surprised that the city is declaring parts of union square to be blighted. It is industrial and there is alot of small scale development happening through various local entrepreneurs. Of course, few up-and-coming business owners have the opportunity to purchase the land that they occupy. I believe more improvements and development would be happening if people own the land and buildings they are using.
This plan will do the opposite of that. Now there will be less land available on the market once the city hands it over to development corporations
Jason
4:33 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Does anyone on this patch actually use prospect metals or have been to A1 plumbing? Besides me?
AHM
6:18 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
I have done business with both for many years. A1 many many times. His business is one we should not lose.