As a historic neighborhood that sits at the edge of Cambridge and Somerville, Inman Square serves as an important connection for cars, cyclists, and pedestrians. As part of an effort to improve safety for all modes of transportation throughout the intersection, the proposed design provides a narrower roadway, separated bike lanes, and shorter crosswalks. The new design also shifts the road layout of the intersection, creating new opportunities for flexible open plaza space.

While Inman Square does serve as an important urban connector, it is also a unique and diverse neighborhood of its own. Along with the City of Cambridge and civil and traffic engineers, KMDG has played an important role in facilitating community meetings as part of a public engagement process, which has helped shape the design of the new plaza. It is our goal for this project to create a flexible space that engages the historic storefronts of the Inman neighborhood, while also reflecting the unique character and scale that makes Inman Square special. Memorializing Mayor Alfred E. Vellucci, an important political figure in the history of Inman Square, is also a key design goal of the new plaza space. It is our hope to create a space that builds off of the identity of the neighborhood, provides a place for the community to gather, and serves as a green, inviting place that is accessible to all users.