Design Your Own Somerville

The Brickbottom artists' district in Somerville has become one of Bostonist’s favorite places to go for Open Studios. We don’t feel as pressured to be snooty as we do when checking out art at the SoWa guild. And a plate of cheap Brazilian fare is just around the corner so we won’t be spending the big bucks eating at the likes of the Butcher Shop.

Mayor Joe Curtatone announced in November that the city would be taking the trash out of Brickbottom, literally. The waste transfer station – the whole station – will be transferred elsewhere. Curtatone has his fingers crossed, along with lots of Somerville residents that the Green Line will be extending past Lechemere soon. With potential public transportation, a thriving arts community, and a location just over the city line from Boston, Bostonist agrees that Brickbottom may be the next former industrial center to become home to hipsters for a stint then gentrify the surrounding area, just like the South End.

City planners don’t seem to know how to approach the space. Brickbottom is nestled in between the sometimes-elevated McGrath Highway and I-93 where it runs past Assembly Square. Oh, and there’s still a trash transfer station there. So they’re giving all you aspiring urban planners, architects, and people who “know they can do it better than the city no matter what they do” a chance to submit your plans for urban renewal of the space. Edge as Center is a contest to put the “edge of the city into the center spotlight” and provide solutions to the Brickbottom District a thriving place. Bostonist suggests you don’t recommend they put McGrath and I-93 underground to connect Brickbottom with its neighbors. We’ve seen how well that worked out. There’s a substantial entry fee, and we guess you’ve got to be pretty good to take home a share of the $35,000 prize money. Prizes are awarded on a predictable set of criteira, outlined in the call for entries (links to PDF). We do suggest a car lot for Herb Chambers (they’re a sponsor) and adherence to the artist community's desires (they’re on the jury) in what ever plan you devise.

Registration opened this week and closes March 31, 2006. Entries are due May 26, 2006.