The “new” proposal by Copper Mill includes a proposed structure that is 24 stories, down from 26 stories. Those are on top of the existing retail floors. And, yes, 24 stories for Davis Square is unquestionably still too high. The structure violates Mass Housing’s Chapter 40B design guidelines, and the project undercuts Somerville’s plans set out in . As for more housing in the Davis Square Neighborhood, sites such as 110 Willow St. and 363 Highland Ave., plus the Copper Mill lot, with a 6-story building in each, can provide more than 500 units, with at least 125 being affordable — all easily accessible to the T stations in Porter, Ball and Davis squares.

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The Copper Mill financial projections for the 26-story proposal filed with Mass Housing seem unattainable. The $22 million rent projection reflects rents per square foot that are 13% to 41% higher than comparables identified in the developer’s Mass Housing Chapter 40B application, as detailed in written comments filed in February with Mass Housing to the discordant 40B application.

The developer’s rental projections appear to be driven by a proposed $42 million purchase price for 0.78 acres that are currently assessed at $8.6 million. That raises a state public policy question of whether Mass Housing’s scarce financial resources should be used to buy property at an inflated value.

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What Somerville doesn’t need is a project of this size and impact on Davis Square nor one that could well be financially struggling or fail. That said, Somerville needs more housing, both affordable and market rate.

Edward Woll / Winslow Avenue, Somerville
Member, Davis Square Village and Davis Square Neighborhood Council

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