Medford Green Line Neighborhood Alliance Meeting Aug. 31st

The Medford Green Line Neighborhood Alliance (MGNA) will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31, at the South Medford Fire Station, Zero Medford Street (corner of Main Street and Medford Street, across from Tufts Park).

The meeting will focus on Monday’s announcement by the MBTA of Green Line Extension cost overruns and possible project changes, and ideas and strategies for getting the project back on track and on firm fiscal footing.

MassDOT and the MBTA are requesting public feedback on the cost savings and funding options.

These include:

– Downsize, delay or eliminate vehicle maintenance and storage facility

– Downsize/streamline or delay stations

– Downsize, delay or eliminate Community Path Extension

– Reallocate $158 million in federal funds programmed for the College Avenue-to-Route 16 portion of the extension to the core GLX project

– Halt the Construction Manager/General Contractor process and rebid project – in smaller contract packages – using a more traditional procurement method

– Seek additional funding sources such as Tax Increment Financing for stations; private or philanthropic funding for the Community Path; institutional and private contributions (for example from Tufts University or Union Square master developer); or additional federal funds

– Mothball or cancel the project

Feedback is due to the MBTA by September 9 to info@glxinfo.com.

The MGNA is a group of citizens who support the proposed Green Line extension to Medford, and who advocate for proactive involvement from the city, its residents and all stakeholders to ensure that the extension is completed in a manner that is most beneficial to the community.

– Information from Ken Krause and the MGNA website