Major construction begins this month in Somerville at Assembly Square

~Photos courtesy of Dewey Square Group State adds $10 million to project By George P. Hassett Assembly Square development has been delayed by lawsuits and political scandal in the past. But not even the recession could stop Somerville's biggest development opportunity this time around. Don Briggs of Federal Realty Investment Trust, the developers of Assembly Square, said this week that construction on Assembly Square Drive - "the spine of the project" - will begin this month and be completed by early next year. Construction of an Orange Line train station begins next year, he said. On Tuesday, state officials released $10 million in funding to support roadway improvements that will facilitate the construction of an IKEA store. "We're moving forward in the worst of economic times and in the depths of a recession we're working to deliver a final product when the market does come back," Briggs told the Somerville News as he toured the construction site last week.

Briggs said the first wave of construction will include retail shops, public parks and multi-family housing. The downturn in the economy may prevent initial construction of office space, he said.

Federal stimulus funds, about $15 million, went to build Assembly Square Drive and more federal funding is expected for the train station.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone said this week's state funding "will allow the city of Somerville to reclaim its waterfront along the Mystic River."

"The Assembly Square project is critical to the continued growth and vitalization of our community, placing housing, offices and retail along a stretch of river long blocked off to our residents by highways and heavy industry," Curtatone said in a statement.

Once completed, Assembly Square will be a mixed-use, transit-oriented development with 18 buildings, 2,100 residential units, 1.8 million square feet of office space, 1.1 million square feet of retail space that includes restaurants and a cinema and a 160 to 200 room hotel.

State officials said the first phase of development will create 500 new jobs.