Commission: Improve Central Sq.

A commission working to revitalize Central Square told the City Council last night that the city must devote financial resources to making the square more attractive to residents and businesses.

In its final report released yesterday, the "Commission to Promote and Enhance Central Square Now!" proposed changing bus routes to relieve traffic congestion and installing more street lighting to make the square's streets safer and busier.

Councillors and local business and civic leaders praised the proposals, which the group had worked on for 18 months. But they added that attracting a variety of businesses, besides futon and record stores, requires the cooperation of the few people who own most of the land in that neighborhood.

"It's very clear that we can envision all we want, but unless those five or six [landlords] agree with that vision, we're going to continue going forward to go backward," said Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves '72.

Implementing the group's basic proposals would cost the city between $2 and $3 million, said Alan Zimlicki, chair of the commission's committee on the environment and transportation.

Zimlicki said although the square is a regional arts and dance hub as well as a major government and commercial center, it lacks a sense of cohesive identity because it is shaped as a long, thin strip.

One of the commission's proposals would increase lighting outside the square's historic buildings to provide aesthetic unity. Assistant City Manager Michael Rosenberg said he is consulting with the city's electrician and plans to begin this project in the spring.

Carl F. Barron, president of the Central Square Business Association for 14 years, and Robert B. Boulrice, president of the Central Neighborhood Coalition, Inc., both said they support the commission's suggestions. The two civic leaders have traditionally held opposing views as to the development of the area.

Barron said he is "particularly interested in seeing a united front in neighborhood groups." He said he is "looking forward to the time before I retire when Central Square will be brought up to where it used to be."