Concern Over Proposed Somerville Beer Works

Update, Sept. 17: Those interested in this proposal may attend a community meeting about it on Sept. 23. The meeting takes place at 6 p.m. at 240 Elm St. Beer Works will present its proposal for the space, and all interested parties are invited to attend.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

Two Somerville aldermen have voiced concern about a proposed Beer Works brewpub in Davis Square.

Speaking at Thursday's Board of Aldermen meeting, Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, who represents Davis Square, said the neighborhood hasn't had the chance to discuss the proposal.

Alderman At-Large John Connolly worried a Beer Works could turn Davis Square into a drinking destination.

Bostonians are likely familiar with Boston Beer Works, which has locations outside Fenway Park and near TD Garden. There are also Beer Works brewpubs in Salem, Lowell, Hingham, Framingham and Logan Airport.

The company has proposed opening Somerville Beer Works at 240 Elm St., known as the Social Security building. The building has been vacant since the summer of 2010, when the Social Security office closed down.

The Somerville Licensing Commission was scheduled to discuss the matter at its meeting Monday night, but in a resolution passed Thursday, the Board of Aldermen asked the commission to delay the discussion. The commission's office said Monday it would honor the aldermen's request; the commission won't discuss the matter Monday night.

Gewirtz will chair a community meeting about the proposal on Sept. 23. It takes place at 6 p.m. at 240 Elm St.

"We're not Lansdowne Street"

Said Gewirtz: "There's a great amount of concern amongst all of us that this project would try to move forward, a Beer Works project in one of the most important buildings in Davis Square, in the absence of a neighborhood meeting, even one neighborhood meeting."

Gewirtz said she wanted to "make sure we get something in there that people have the chance to weigh in on."

Connolly said Davis Square has become a dining destination, but "this application, particularly the name, Somerville Beer Works, basically makes the thought, now, that instead of a dining destination, Davis Square would be a drinking destination."

"We're not Lansdowne Street, with basically drinking establishments outside the ballpark ... Davis Square doesn't need that kind of an image," Connolly said.

"There are many other uses that 240 Elm Street could certainly consider," Connolly said.

"I, personally, would like to see some retail," said Gewirtz.

Rumors that a beer company was interested in 240 Elm St. surfaced in the spring, though early reports suggested the national chain, World of Beer, not Beer Works, was making plans for the site.

More on the Davis Square brewpub proposal

• 'World of Beer' Chain Eyes Davis Square Location