Frequently asked questions.
What is SOMERNOVA?
Deeply rooted in the neighborly vibe of Somerville’s Union Square, SOMERNOVA (aka Somerville’s Innovation Hub) is a 7.4-acre campus for innovation and community. Our mission is to help people and companies iterate and grow faster. We are an entrepreneurial ecosystem welcome to all and built tough for tough tech.
Owned and operated by Rafi Properties, SOMERNOVA is home to an eclectic tenant mix - Greentown Labs, The Bouldering Project, Form Energy, The Engine by MIT, Aeronaut Brewing, Sublime Systems, Eden Geopower, Tank Design, Tender Foods, Kornit Digital, Somerville Bike Kitchen, Somerville Media Center, Riverside Community Care, Carolicous, Somerville Chocolate, The Studio for Sculptural Arts, Fleet Robotics & The Dojo @ Somernova. While their work spans vast industry sectors, the people and companies share their collective commitment to making the world a better place.
What is Tough Tech?
Tough Tech is transformational technology that solves the world's most important challenges, such as combating climate change and improving public health, through the convergence of breakthrough science, engineering, and leadership.
Tough Tech industries include: climate change, advanced systems infrastructure, 3D printing, advanced manufacturing, quantum computing, agtech & food-tech, human health, artificial intelligence, cleantech, advanced materials, mobility, robotics, nanotechnology & semiconductors, spacetech, and their substantial equivalents. To support the companies in Tough Tech industries, physical spaces are required that take into account flexibility of space needs, electrical supply, long-term ebb and flow of fabrication and material processing areas, research & development facilities, shared workspaces, laboratories, and the significant value of being co-located amongst other Tough Tech companies.
Why is SOMERNOVA expanding?
Since the early part of the 21st century, SOMERNOVA (formerly known as the Ames Business Park) has been known as a place where people co-create, iterate and test the boundaries of what is possible. From American Tube Works and Ames Safety Envelope to SOMERNOVA - the spirit of innovation and manufacturing continues. The campus has evolved into one of the region’s hottest clusters for rapidly growing early-stage and venture backed climate and tough tech companies. These companies want to be here because the talent is here.
The climate & tough tech companies located in Somernova’s current 7.4 acres are some of the most rapidly growing in the world. Form Energy for example is developing a new class of cost-effective, multi-day energy storage systems that will enable a reliable and fully-renewable electric grid year-round. We are out of space, our tenants need more room to grow in order to ensure their rapidly growing businesses are able to solve some of the world's most pressing climate challenges and remain in Somerville while doing so.
What is the purpose of the proposed Somernova Innovation Zoning Sub-Area?
The proposed Somernova Innovation Sub-Area Zoning, a climate, arts & equity initiative, will allow companies currently incubating in Greentown Labs and in Somernova's innovation hub to grow into their next level space and eventually company headquarters, R&D, light manufacturing, etc. The revised zoning is designed to help preserve and scale the City’s music and arts ecosystem by creating affordable arts spaces such as music recording and rehearsal space, varying sized live music venues featuring local and independent operators
Somernova has been working with community stakeholders, City Councilors and the City of Somerville to create a Climate & Equity Zoning Overlay District. The proposed zoning overlay district will preserve and foster social and community connection between our climate tech entrepreneurs, residents, and the community at large.
What is Rafi proposing for Somernova’s Campus Expansion?
Rafi is proposing a mixed-use 1.6m SF campus expansion project to include:
Research & Development 690,000 SF
Office/Commercial 300,000 SF
Arts & Creative Enterprise (ACE) 65,670 SF
Community Center 12,000 SF
Retail
Fitness 30,000 SF
Daycare 5,000 SF
Health & Wellness 4,200 SF
Food & Beverage 28,500 SF
Housing 100 units (minimum of 20% of units designated as affordable)
Open Space 63,000 SF
Trees 100+
Vehicle Parking 748
Bike Parking 750
EV Charging 100% of the parking will be EV-ready
Construction jobs 5,000
Permanent jobs 4,800
How tall are the proposed buildings?
The buildings in Somernova’s revised proposed campus expansion range from 6 to 9 stories.
What are your plans for The Bouldering Project & Aeronaut?
Our goal is to retain them on campus.
Who will own & operate the youth-driven multigenerational community center?
Rafi Properties has committed to building a 12,000 SF turn-key community center facility which includes 10 years of operating costs. Rafi will work with the Somerville community to co-design and implement an ownership and operations model for the Community Center once the proposed zoning is adopted. Rafi will work with community stakeholders to create a task force that will run a process to find the right partner to operate the Community Center on behalf of the community.
Will housing be part of Somernova’s campus expansion?
Based on the feedback we've heard recently from the community, the project now includes a six-story passive house, 100-unit residential building with a minimum of 20% of units designated as affordable.
Impact of construction for abutting neighbors and businesses?
We understand that construction activities can have an impact on neighbors and businesses, and we agree that public health is a priority. As part of the project approval process, we will develop a robust construction pollution mitigation plan that identifies what strategies we can implement to address and mitigate noise and pollution risk. As an owner-occupied campus, we will be on site alongside our tenants to ensure to minimize disruption.
Where can I find more information about the proposed project?
Information about Somernova’s proposed expansion campus project including the draft Community Masterplan can be found on the project’s blog somernova.community.
If you have additional questions, concerns and or comments, and or would like to speak to a member of the project team, please email community@somernova.com and we’d be happy to chat further.