Somerville Mayor Proposes $50M For Green Line Extension
SOMERVILLE (CBS) -- Somerville's mayor is proposing the city give $50 million to bridge a funding gap for the proposed Green Line extension.
Mayor Joseph Curtatone said he never thought the city would have to do this, but he thinks it's important that Somerville commit the money to the project, which he believes is extremely vital.
"It unlocks more than 18 million square feet of development," Curtatone said. "It brings more than 30,000 jobs, more than 10,000 units of housing. It adds more than $3 billion to the Massachusetts economy."
Curtatone believes the money is necessary to encourage the state to move forward with the project.
"This project impacts every in Massachusetts positively," he said. "All the constituents in our communities understand that unlocking this economic growth and environmental justice for our communities will more than pay for our contribution."
Curtatone will present his plan to the board of aldermen. Cambridge City Manager Richard Rossi will ask councilors in his city to add $25 million.
State transportation officials will discuss how to move forward with the Green Line extension project, which is running a huge deficit, next week.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports