Officials say newsstands are
cluttering Somerville sidewalks
Alix Roy
Freestanding newsstands line the sidewalk in Davis Square. City officials are introducing a program to consolidate all publications in a modular news rack.
Whether you're looking for a new job, a new home, or a new outfit, you can head to Davis Square to read all about it. Somerville's liveliest hub is also home to dozens of newsstands stocked with publications ranging from entertainment news to local real estate offerings.
But while subway riders may appreciate the plethora of reading material, city officials say the brightly colored dispensers are cluttering the streets and presenting a public safety hazard.
“Streets lined with news racks take away from the streetscape along many commercial corridors, central business districts, and historic squares,” Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development director Monica Lamboy wrote in a press release. “In addition, single news racks placed in groups exceeding ten feet in width do not conform to ADA regulations and create pedestrian hazards.”
In an attempt to bring order to the literary chaos, the city is spearheading a program that will consolidate freestanding newsstands into modular news racks throughout the city. An independent contractor hired by the city will be responsible for installing, maintaining, and managing the news racks. As part of the program, the vendor would install paid advertising on the news racks.
On Monday, the city announced it will issue a request for proposals for the project, which would include a 10-year contract. An RFP issued in 2008 for a similar three-year program was abandoned when respondents said more time was needed for the program to be profitable.
“Because these previous respondents indicated that the implementation of a successful program in a one- to three-year contract timeframe was not a viable duration, from both an economic and implementation perspective, the latest RFP proposes a minimum period of 10 years with possible additional option years,” Lamboy wrote in the release.
When evaluating vendors' proposals, the city will look at the proposed operation of the program, management of the publishers, appearance and maintenance of the news racks, methods of subsidizing the cost, and potential revenue-sharing opportunities, Lamboy said.
On Monday, Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz praised the project for promising to clean up the clutter and disorganization created by the freestanding boxes.
“I very, very much look forward to this going forward,” she said. “It's going to make our squares look much more put together.”
Gewirtz, who represents Davis Square, Ball Square, and Porter Square, said she has received complaints from residents over the years regarding the appearance of the newsstands. Advertising on the modular stands, as long as it is regulated, will be a small price to pay for the organization provided by the stands, she said.
“Ultimately, it will probably be worth it,” she said. “The boxes as they are now contribute to clutter and litter.”
The Board of Alderman sought to curb the steady increase of freestanding news racks in 2005 when it passed an amendment to the News Rack Ordinance requiring publishers to acquire permits for every news box and apply for a certificate of compliance on an annual basis. Despite the regulations, the number of newsstand boxes increased in 2007, according to Lamboy.
In 2009, 12 publishers paid for permits, according to OSPCD project manager Keith Craig. That figure does not necessarily represent the number of publications on the street, since many publishers own more than one, he noted.
Permits are currently $25 per year, while certificates cost $50 annually. The Department of Inspectional Services is responsible for enforcing the regulations, and checking that permits are posted on the side of every stand.
The Globe has nine permitted racks in Somerville.
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