Developer vows to present more 'options' for Davis Square tower project amid neighborhood opposition

"I will make a personal commitment that within the next 30 days, we will present multiple options, and they may not be fully baked, they may not be beautiful. We need this to be anchored in the fabric of Davis Square, not sterile and soulless like developments in other neighborhoods."

"The likelihood is, if we can't find a way to work together, that site will likely sit fallow for the next 10 to 15 years. We were trying to engage in dialogue that folks really were not reciprocating, and the level of vitriol became toxic."

"To me, they are sterile. They are soulless. They could be in the middle of anywhere across the country, across the world. We need this to be anchored in the fabric of Davis Square."

Copper Mill, the developer of a proposed 26-story residential tower in Somerville's Davis Square, held a public meeting to address community concerns and rebuild trust. The project includes 502 apartments with 126 affordable units above the Burren restaurant. Developer Andrew Flynn acknowledged past communication failures and committed to presenting multiple design options within 30 days. A project office will open March 23 to display renderings and project information. The initial tower design received mixed reactions, with residents expressing concerns about architectural character. Flynn acknowledged that similar developments in Kendall Square and the Seaport District lack local character, committing to anchor the design in Davis Square's existing fabric. The developer warned that without community collaboration, the site could remain undeveloped for 10-15 years.

Read at Boston.com