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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 20h

Nearby, the MBTA is about to start excavation for the Alewife Station tail track (the slurry walls were poured a few weeks previously).

The town will let the T stockpile fill at Magnolia field. In exchange, the T will make improvements to the field after construction.

MBTA Tailtrack excavation to begin. Arlington Advocate. Dec 23, 1982

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 20h

It's December 1982 and discussions about the Mugar development in #ArlingtonMA along route 2 continue. A redevelopment board member who missed the last few meetings has objections about the exterior finish.

Mugar-Finard Design Undergoes Scrutiny. Arlington Advocate. Dec 16, 1982.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 20h

Construction fencing around a couple of buildings on Mass Ave in Lexington. Looks like it's going to be a mixed-use building with 44 apartments. #MBTACommunities

www.lexingtonma.gov/2192/217-229...

Properties in Mass Ave in Lexington, surrounded by temporary fencing.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 1d

I like this idea.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 1d

You may have accidentally invented the peanut butter and candy corn sandwich.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 3d

It's also one of the quirky things about the MBTA Communities Act. We've only added two new units of housing (so far), but early compliance has helped us net millions of dollars in grant money.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 3d

The initial plan is to provide rent stability to the existing tenants. Eventually the entire building will become income-restricted.

When CDCs apply for grants, it helps when the local community puts a few million dollars of skin in the game.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 3d

The building was purchased by the Housing Corporation of Arlington, which is our local non-profit CDC. They got $2M and change in ARPA funds through our affordable housing trust, and another $3.5M through an MBTA Communities Catalyst grant.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 3d

846 Mass Ave. 33 unit mixed use building with an office and fitness studio on the first floor. Assessed at $9,101,797. Sold for $11,162,000. Previously sold for $9,101,000 in 2023.

Not buildable today because this district is limited to four stories. There's also a cool story behind it.

A six-story mixed use building. Built in 1963

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 3d

53 Lewis Ave. Three family home. Assessed at $1,271,000. Sold for $1,335,000. Previously sold for $175,000 in 1995 -- that's about $421,000 in today dollars.

Not buildable today because three-family homes are no longer allowed in this district.

A green house with a covered porch and white trim. Built in 1930.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 3d

100 Dow ave. 3BR (2145 sq ft) single-family home. Assessed at $976,000. Sold for $1,276,276. Previously sold for $480,000 in 2010.

Also a conforming lot.

A brown house with white trim, and a bunch of lumber in front. Built in 1953.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 3d

43 Longmeadow Rd. 2BR (1628 sq ft) single-family home. Assessed at $912,000. Sold for $975,000. Previously sold for $1 in 1999.

Also on a conforming lot.

A white house with black shutters. Built in 1952.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 3d

38 Cutter Hill Rd. 2BR (768 sq ft) single-family home. Assessed at $862,000. Sold for $825,000. Previously sold for $99 in 1970.

It's a conforming lot and the buyer is an LLC, so I expect the home will be replaced.

A yellow 1952 cape of the standard 768 sq ft variety. Also has lots of asphalt.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 3d

Weekly thread about home sales in #ArlingtonMA. Five properties changed hands this week; two were cash-outs and one was a big mixed-use building on Mass Ave with a cool story behind it.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 3d

It was a good visit. She's a happy healthy kitty (who detests being stuffed into a cat carrier).

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 3d

Cycle track on Main street in Cambridge. I'm digging it.

A separate cycle track on Main Street in Cambridge, heading towards Kendall Square.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 3d

Doing everyday things on a bicycle: taking Miss Alice for her vet appointment.

Between the Alewife Brook Greenway, Linear Park, and Somerville Community Path, only 2-3 block involve riding on the street.

An orange calico kitty in a cat carrier, strapped to the back of a red cargo bike.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 3d

Found in #KendallSquare - a little card from Cambridge Bike Safety.

I don't live in Cambridge and can't vote in the election. But I can make campaign contributions for safe streets.

Handout with the words "Vote Safe Streets", and the candidates for Cambridge City Council. It has symbols to indicate which candidates are incumbents, and which are bike champions.

WHY IS NOVEMBER 4'” SO IMPORTANT?

Our safety is at risk. In 2024, three
cyclists were killed in Cambridge.

Our current council has delayed and
watered down critical street safety
projects. We need your help to elect
city councillors who will prioritize safe
streets without delay!

WHY THESE CANDIDATES?

All candidates listed are committed to
completing our bike network by 2026.

Bike Champions have committed
to completing our bike network by
2026, had strong questionnaire
responses, and include incumbents with
a perfect voting record.

To view questionnaire responses
and voting information, visit
cambike.us/election

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 3d

Another one?

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 4d

Being in the same position, I would go to U-Haul and rent a small van.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 4d

The #ArlingtonMA comprehensive plan has a new quick survey. Go to engagestantec.com/Arlington-co... and look for "Quick Survey #2".

Anyone who lives, works, or spends time here is encouraged to take the survey.

AMPUp!: Arlington's Comprehensive Plan

The Town of Arlington's comprehensive plan update will chart a course for the next ten years.

engagestantec.com

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 4d

"The answer can't always be 'we don't have the money'"

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 4d

"The only way to get something done is to have someone get killed in a crosswalk, and then spend five years writing grants and doing studies"

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 4d

This week we had a focus group for traffic and circulation - that's the state's required topic area, though I prefer to frame it as transportation and mobility.

Lot of good discussion, some of it sobering.

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Steve Revilak @purplebandanna.bsky.social · 4d

I'm involved in working on my town's next comprehensive plan. We're doing focus groups, and I spend a lot of evenings transcribing post-it notes that where slapped on sheets of easel paper.

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