Union Square Neighborhood Council & Rafi Reach Landmark Community Benefits Agreement on Somernova Expansion
Milestone Agreement Moves to Community for Public Vote on June 4, 2025
SOMERVILLE, MA – May 21, 2025 – The Union Square Neighborhood Council (USNC) and Rafi Properties are proud to announce a landmark Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) tied to the Somernova campus expansion in Union Square. This historic agreement, which now advances to the broader community for public vote, represents a transformative vision for inclusive innovation, job creation, arts and culture, sustainability, and equitable economic development in Somerville. The CBA was developed through years of collaborative negotiation and community engagement. It ensures that a proposed development – pending approval of the City of Somerville’s Arts & Innovation SubArea zoning amendment – delivers a range of lasting benefits to Somerville residents.
Fueled by the Arts & Innovation Subarea zoning, Somernova’s expansion envisions 1.5 million square feet of cutting-edge R&D and commercial space to support the next wave of climate and tough tech innovators. Integrated into a vibrant ecosystem of arts and music, local retail, housing, childcare, civic space, and a turnkey community center, this expansion will cement Somernova as a global launchpad for companies emerging from trailblazers like Greentown Labs and The Engine—positioning Somerville at the forefront of solving the world’s toughest challenges.
The Somernova CBA sets a bold new standard for arts-centered development, transforming the campus into a vibrant home for Somerville’s creative community. With over 100,000 square feet dedicated to Arts and Creative Enterprise (ACE), the CBA promises 60,000 square feet of permanently affordable, purpose-built spaces—from art exhibition & galleries to music rehearsal and recording studios. Three dynamic music venues, ranging in size and character, will anchor a cultural ecosystem designed to celebrate, elevate, and sustain local artists for generations to come.
As part of this progressive, unprecedented CBA, Rafi Properties has executed a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the Greater Boston Building Trades Unions, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Shawmut Design & Construction for the expansion of Somernova’s campus. This agreement will be made possible by the passing of the Arts & Innovation Subarea zoning. This milestone is a testament to what can be accomplished when vision, community, collaboration, and a commitment to progress, align. Rafi is committed to union jobs, fair wages, and local hiring throughout the project.
“The USNC is excited to announce this pivotal CBA, which will provide arts space, dedicated community spaces, and City’s first ever private developer Project Labor Agreement, while also advancing small businesses and sustainability in Somerville,” said Emily Doran of the Union Square Neighborhood Council. “We know the community has been waiting patiently, and we are unbelievably happy it is now in your hands.”
"Through hundreds of hours of collaborative work, we now have unprecedented benefits for everyone. What’s to come for the arts is truly game changing,” said Ami Bennitt, Volunteer Founder, Arts Stays Here. “We thank all artists, musicians & supporters who participated in this community process."
“This CBA reflects what is possible when community voices are at the center of development,” said Kristin Phelan, Vice President of Real Estate for Rafi and Somernova. “It represents our deep commitment to Somerville’s future – where community, economic growth, arts, sustainability, and equity go hand in hand.”
Key Highlights of the Community Benefits Agreement:
Arts & Creative Enterprise (ACE):
A minimum of 8% of the overall commercial leaseable space will be programmed for ACE uses (approx. 100,000 sq. ft; 40,000 for Arts Exhibition, 20,000 sq.ft for Artist Studios and Creative Incubators).
50% of the ACE space will be affordable & purpose-built with long-term lease options for music recording, rehearsal and performance space.
Three music venues with capacities ranging from 80 to 325 people.
A minimum of 9,500 square feet of rehearsal/recording studio space.
A Curatorial Advisory Team will be established with local artists to guide programming, tenant selection, and public art initiatives.
Community Spaces:
20,000 square feet of dedicated community space, including a fully funded, turnkey 12,500-square-foot Community Center – also-known-as The Dojo – with guaranteed 10-year operational support.
An additional 7,500 square feet of flexible indoor space available for local groups, events, and intergenerational programming.
Jobs & Jobs Training:
Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for construction jobs (first of its kind in the history of Somerville) guaranteeing prevailing wages, good benefits, and safe working conditions.
As part of the PLA, the Greater Boston Labor Council will bring its Building Pathways apprenticeship training program, funded by Rafi, to provide a road for advancement to jobs with higher pay.
$375,000 over 10 years to support the Somerville Community Corporation’s First Source Jobs Program.
Rafi commits to partnering with Somerville High School on vocational training, job-readiness and placement programs.
6,000 construction jobs and 4,000 permanent jobs.
Affordable Housing:
$500,000 in funding to the Somerville Community Land Trust over 10 years.
150 residential units will include a minimum of 20% affordable units, with a goal of 50%.
At least 30% of these units will be 2-bedrooms or 3-bedrooms
Prioritized housing access for artists and educators, and will work in consultation with Somerville Community Corporation on Affordable Dwelling Unit development.
Small Business & Equity:
$250,000 over 10 years to Union Square Main Streets to support local independently owned business and entrepreneurs.
Retail preference for BIPOC-, women-, LGBTQIA+-, and locally-owned businesses.
Commitment to cultivate a locally rooted and chain-free retail ecosystem that reflects Somerville’s creativity, innovation and entrepreneurs.
Green & Open Space:
Commitment to exceed civic space minimums with multiple civic spaces, each with at least 50% permeable surfaces, a combination of active and passive recreation, publicly accessible rooftop terraces as well as the redesign of The Alley @ Somernova, into a 14,000 SF plaza, between Market Basket & Dane St.
Rebuild of streets and streetscapes on both sides of Park St. Properzi Way and Tyler St.
Connections with nature will include rooftop gardens, green walls and roofs, winter gardens, 150+ new trees, 100% Native plants, rain gardens, and no-poison rat control.
Net-zero-ready buildings with green infrastructure, rainwater reuse, and biophilic design.
Commitment to LEED Platinum-certifiable commercial buildings and Passive House residential design.
Mobility & Traffic:
Somerville’s most comprehensive and rigid Mobility Management Plan requirements to be developed in consultation with the community with Key Performance Indicators, monthly public reporting, transparent enforcement mechanisms and triggers connected to KPI violations resulting in delay of permit advancement.
Vehicles traveling to and from Somernova will not increase traffic light queues by more than 18% at monitored intersections.
Dynamic Parking Pricing will be established, where parking will rise annually until the parking demand meets the target levels. The extra revenue will be reinvested back into a mobility management fund to make ongoing improvements.
Free community shuttles to transit hubs (and Mystic Learning Center, 750 bike parking spaces, car-sharing incentives, and dynamic parking pricing to reduce congestion.
EV-ready infrastructure with 25% of parking spaces equipped for electric vehicles.
For more information, the Somernova Community Benefits Agreement is available to view below.
This landmark CBA will be presented to the community for review at a public meeting on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 6:30pm at St. Anthony’s School, 480 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA. Following this meeting, a public vote will be held in-person on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, also at St. Anthony’s School, 480 Somerville Avenue, from 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM.
Voting on the CBA is available to members of the USNC. Membership is open to anyone who has lived, worked, volunteered, owned property, or owned a business in the Union Square Neighborhood Council catchment area at any point within the last 12 months.
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About USNC
The mission of the Union Square Neighborhood Council is to shape the future of Union Square as an increasingly inclusive and vibrant neighborhood and commercial center built around the aspirations of the people who live and work here. The USNC has successfully negotiated CBA agreements with US2, DLJ, CV Properties, and others that fund vital services like Somerville Community Corporation/ First Source, Somerville Community Land Trust, Union Square Main Streets, and other community initiatives.
About Somernova
Somernova is a mission-driven 7.4-acre hub of innovation and community, helping people and companies grow, iterate, and create a better world, faster. The campus is home to an eclectic mix of pioneering organizations, including Greentown Labs, The Bouldering Project, Form Energy, The Engine by MIT, Aeronaut Brewing, Sublime Systems, Eden Geopower, Commonwealth Fusion, Tank Design, Tender Foods, De-Ice, Transera, Better Future Project, Somerville Bike Kitchen, Somerville Media Center, Riverside Community Care, Carolicious, Mimi's Chuka Diner, Somerville Chocolate, The Studio for Sculptural Arts, and The Dojo @ Somernova. Somernova is owned and operated by Rafi Properties. For more information, visit somernova.com.
About Rafi Properties
At Rafi Properties, we believe community is the future. As a next-generation real estate development, ownership and investment company, we are dedicated to driving innovation and empowering change through our global development portfolio. Intentionally designed and thoughtfully programmed from ideation to delivery, our properties foster creativity and enrich the communities around them to drive positive transformation. For more information, visit rafiproperties.com.
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