ML	
XLjjjii* jjlSf
Un4 & Community Revitglizgtion
BROWNFIELDS SUCCESS IN NEW ENGLAND

30 ALLEN STREET
SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS
, ;fr V; uStSI
Property Details
Property Address:
30 Allen Street, Somerville, MA
Property Size:
0.12 acres
Former Use:
Residential, vacant lot
Contaminants Found:
Coal and wood ash, VOCs, EPH,

PCBs, Metals
Current Use:
Community Garden and passive park
Current Owner:
City of Somerville
Project Partners
US EPA, Community Action Agency of Somerville, City of
Somerville; U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;
Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services;
Groundwork Somerville
Motivation for
Development:
The project site
sits just outside the
heart of the Union
Square, which is
the City's most
densely developed
neighborhood as well
as its most historic.
From 2005 to 2007,
neighborhood residents, Somerville Community Corporation,
and the Ward 2 Alderman engaged in a community-driven
planning process to identify the desired use for the lot at
30 Allen Street. After reviewing various local area maps,
participating in small group discussions, and ultimately
developing a proposal to submit to the City, the involved
parties decided the best use for the space would be to create a
community garden where area residents would have a place to
relax, as well as to grow flowers and vegetables.
Property History: Located in the densest neighborhood of
Somerville, the vacant 30 Allen Street property was used for
residential purposes until the 1950s. From the 1950s until the
present day. the property was vacant, but had a history of illegal
dumping occurring during the past 50 years. In 1996, the city
was awarded a $350,000 EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant.
The EPA assessment of this property revealed that the soil and
water were contaminated with coal and wood ash. VOCs, EPH,
PCBs and metals.
Funding Details
EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant
$25,000
EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant
$200,000
HUD CDBG Funds
$71,641
Urban Self Help Grant from MDCS
$56,251
Project Highlights
Leveraged $40,000 for cleanup activities
Leveraged eight cleanup and redevelopment jobs
Created the eighth community garden in Somerville
Project Results: Funded by an EPA Brownfields Cleanup
Grant, cleanup activities began in January 2007. The cleanup
activities included removal of contaminated soil and replacement
with clean fill. The community created a series of raised bed
gardening plots, including the City's first purpose-built American
with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible plot. In addition to
garden space, the park includes sitting areas, shade trees and
open space as its central design features. In a section of the city
that is starved for open green space, the Allen Street gardens
are delivering upon a previously unmet need in New England's
most densely developed city. This project represents successful
in-fxll development through effective partnering, reuse of site
materials, and organized community involvement. In September
2007, the garden was dedicated to the citizens of Somerville
and also specifically to a recently deceased local city resident,
Mrs. Beverly Lipinski, who had worked tirelessly on behalf of
affordable housing and many other revitalization efforts in the
Union Square neighborhood.
Project Timeline
October 12, 2004
Phase I Assessment Completed
September 15, 2005
Phase II Assessment Completed
December 2006
Project Planning
March 2007
Site Cleanup and Preconstraction
May-July 2007
Park Construction
August 20, 2007
Cleanup Completed
September 19, 2007
Community Garden and Passive Green

Space Dedicated to Somerville Citizens

and Mrs. Beverly Lipinski
December 2007
Local Contact: Peter Mills, 617-625-6600 ext. 2106

-------