Elm Street in Davis Square is one of the most recognizable blocks in the greater Boston area.  The construction of the new life-sciences labs will not only remove landmark storefronts like When Pigs Fly, McKinnon's Meat Market, Sligo Pub and Dragon Pizza, but it will create more traffic, congestion and gentrification in an already oversaturated area. 

Somerville residents pay a premium to live in this neighborhood, in part because of the proximity to local hangouts like those above.  The removal of these establishments will likely cause people to start moving away from the area to more affordable places, and thus bring the local spending to other surrounding areas.

The residents of Somerville need to stop this construction and save Davis Square from becoming another lackluster neighborhood that has lost its New England charm.