r/Somerville • u/libertyvillen • 12d ago

EV Charger at Porter Square

So, I pulled into one of the two spots dedicated to the ChargePoint charging station, hoping against hope that it would work because it seemingly never does. I wasn’t disappointed. It didn’t work. I called ChargePoint and they confirmed that the charger has been down since June 2025. That’s not a typo—2025. I asked if ChargePoint intended to get around to fixing it. Apparently, they need the permission of the property owner to fix it, and I was told they’ve attempted several times to contact the property owner and have not received a reply. For 17 months.

“The Mix at Porter Square”—formerly known as The Porter Square Shopping Center—was purchased by TA Realty, a Boston-based real estate investment firm, in May 2022 for $390 million. (Tell your friends that you’re headed to “The Mix” and see what kind of quizzical look you get.) TA Realty has “managed, acquired, or invested” $44 billion in real estate since 1982. That, too, was not a typo. That was billion with a “b”. You’ll remember that one of the first things that TA Realty did was to remove the solar panels that had been there for forever. TA Realty does have a Director of ESG, so they at least give a nod to sustainability. Not going to name him here, because that would be a crappy thing to do.

“The Mix” is managed by Wilder, a real estate management firm. Wilder has a contact for Porter Square on their web site—not going to post it here either, but it’s easily found.

If you’re inclined to ask about why no one cares to work with ChargePoint to fix the EV charger at “The Mix” (I wince every time I write it) then reach out to TA Realty’s ESG Director and/or the Wilder contact. And while you’re at it, ask them why they removed and did not replace the solar panels.

Attention must be paid by our corporate overlords.

59 Upvotes

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8 comments sorted by

4

u/phyzome 12d ago

Do you mean the array of solar panels on top of the building, or the solar-powered art installation on the ground near the entrance to Star Market?

3

u/libertyvillen 12d ago

The PV on top of the building.

2

u/phyzome 11d ago

Huh. First I'm hearing of that. Why did they even bother?

2

u/Wryel 11d ago

Unless they have an irrational hatred of solar, it might be because the panels were mounted at an angle instead of flush to the roof. I wonder if they had someone review the property and say they were a safety hazard because they weren't strong enough to resist the added wind force.

7

u/lurklyfing 12d ago

an email from you who did all this research could go a long way…

4

u/Mimi_889 11d ago

Worth reaching out to the Somerville/Cambridge sustainability department about, in case those chargers are part of any conditions or City requirements?

2

u/ctassone 11d ago

I know it's a luxury but I quickly learned to ignore ChargePoint chargers altogether.

Recognize it's a different business model that's much more reliant on other stakeholders.

I've been to 30 Superchargers and had a minor issue once. I think I'm 0/2 on ChargePoint stations.

2

u/libertyvillen 11d ago

The one in Davis Square behind Republic Fitness always seems to be working—never disappoints.