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Davis Square housing development could close or displace businesses
A not-yet-filed proposal would build 500 apartments in Davis Square. But it would also temporarily close or displace some businesses, like The Burren.
A proposed housing development that would bring hundreds of much-needed apartments to Davis Square. But it would also mean that some businesses, like The Burren and Dragon Pizza, would close for months when construction starts.
According to WBUR, the strip of Davis Square in question is 247 Elm St., owned by Myer Dana and Sons and where developer Copper Mill has proposed a 25-story residential tower that would include 500 apartments — 100 units would be affordable — and downstairs retail space.
In order to build such a behemoth of a project, a strip of businesses — The Burren, Dragon Pizza, McKinnon’s Meat Market, Martsa on Elm, and Kung Fu Tea — would have to close for construction, some temporarily and others permanently.
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Copper Mill CEO Andrew Flynn said he’s had ongoing discussions with The Burren and Dragon Pizza, two businesses they hope to keep as ground-floor tenants. They’ve agreed to keep rent the same, and Flynn told The Burren owners that the developer would pay to remove and reinstall interior items like the tables, and wood paneling to preserve the “character” of the bar.
The Burren also needs some 21st century improvements, which Flynn predicts could take 12 to 15 months.
The other three businesses made the decision to cease operations if the proposal moves forward, Flynn said.
But Flynn also noted that The Burren will likely have to close within the next five years, with or without this proposal, because of how old the building is and how necessary some improvements are needed to improve accessibility, bathroom capacity, and put back-of-house inventory on the ground floor.
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“The practical reality is that if we want The Burren to be there for the next 50 years, it is going to have to close at some point,” Flynn said.
The project has been met with mixed reviews since the public caught wind of Copper Mill’s idea from meetings with the Davis Square Neighborhood Association in the fall. Anonymous fliers — one criticizing the tower and the other mocking those who they say are against more housing — made their way across the neighborhood and on social media, The Boston Globe reported in January.
Somerville, and the rest of Greater Boston, is in desperate need of more affordable housing and is the most critical issue to residents as a result, according to a University of Massachusetts Amherst/WCVB poll. But the packed meeting last month also brought up concerns over how a 25-story building would look in the vibrant Somerville neighborhood, as well as how such a project might displace businesses, adding to the several vacant storefronts in Davis Square.
The Celtic musician community who play at The Burren also showed up to express concern over the temporary-but-lengthy possible closure of the pub.
Summer McCall, a Somerville musician, told WBUR that they’re all for more housing.
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“But not at the expense of the Burren,” McCall said.
This stretch of Elm Street has also been in development talks for several years, with failed plans to build 250 apartments and lab space. At the time those projects were discussed, the public had similar concerns about the displacement of businesses like The Burren.
Boston.com reached out to The Burren owner but didn’t hear back in time for publication. Dragon Pizza’s owner also didn’t respond to an email sent from Boston.com for comment, but owner Charlie Redd has publicly supported the development. The developer said they’re also discussing tenant space with a butcher shop, an independent bookstore, a comedy club and other businesses.
The city has yet to receive a filed proposal from the developer, and Councilor at-large Jake Wilson told Boston.com that filing was likely “not imminent.” A public process to allow for a zoning map change would need to happen as well.
Only public meetings have been held almost monthly since October by the developer and Davis Square Neighborhood Association, the latter which is not yet a formal group recognized by the city.
Flynn said he hopes to host another public meeting soon, but Copper Mill is working to secure space that can fit more people — since the last meeting had overflow at Somerville Baptist Church. They also want to make it so guests can join via Zoom at the next meeting.
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