Huron Ave and Cushing Plaza Improvements Project
As part of the Five-Year Street and Sidewalk Reconstruction Plan, Huron Ave, from Fresh Pond Place to Fresh Pond Parkway, is scheduled for reconstruction. This project will include paving, sidewalk improvements and utility installations.
Cushing Plaza, located at Cushing Street and Huron Avenue, is scheduled for reconstruction to allow stormwater to infiltrate and provide enhanced biochar and compost soil for the new trees and garden plantings.
2025 City Manager Performance Review
This is the third year Cambridge has conducted a City Manager Performance Review, which is an important commitment to transparency and accountability. This next step will be followed by the City Council’s formal evaluation delivered at a Special City Council Meeting in December.
MassDOT Advisory: Cambridge Somerville Sidewalk Closures Along Route 28 (McGrath Highway)
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that daytime concrete sidewalk repairs are taking place on Route 28 (McGrath Highway) northbound between Third Street and Rufo Road. Pedestrian detours started on September 30 and will remain in place at all times for approximately three weeks. During this time, the outbound bus stop opposite Twin City Plaza will be relocated to 201 Monsignor O’Brien Highway, just south of Third Street.
Proposed Charter
The City Council has proposed adopting a new City Charter, which is the law that prescribes the structure of the Cambridge government. The proposed new City Charter shall be submitted to the voters of the City of Cambridge for acceptance at the next biennial election, which will be held on November 4, 2025.
Publications
Responsive and interactive versions of content typically featured in our CityView and The Cambridge Life print publications to share additional information, videos, and more. In time, digital versions of other City publications will be added as well.
Linocut Printmaking (Central Square)
In this class students will be introduced to the printmaking process of linocut. The class will cover techniques in carving linoleum, composition, ink mixing, and printing. At their own pace students will learn how to create a design and carve it in linoleum using carving tools. Students will learn how to ink and print their linoleum blocks by hand. In a relaxed and welcoming environment students will create many beautiful prints of their own as well as collaborate with their classmates. This class is suitable for beginners and can be adjusted for all levels of experience.
This class is taught by Brooke Lambert, a professional printmaker and painter. She holds a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design and shows her work widely in New England, New York, and beyond. Brooke works in Studio 291 at Western Avenue Studios & Lofts in Lowell, MA. She is currently represented by The Society of American Graphic Artists in New York, NY, Galaray House in Boston, MA and Bay View Artisan Gallery in Meredith, NH. Brooke is sponsored by Akua Inks and Speedball Art Products. She has fourteen years of teaching experience and currently teaches adult art workshops and holds artist demos at several locations in New England.
139 Bishop Allen Drive (1-15 Vail Court)
139 Bishop Allen Drive, familiarly known as Vail Court, is a 28,201 square foot lot located in Mid-Cambridge that was acquired by the City of Cambridge through eminent domain in 2016. In June 2017, the City Council voted to transfer the property to the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust (CAHT) for redevelopment as affordable housing. In July 2017, the City and CAHT held an initial community meeting to discuss the site and next steps, but the process was paused due to the onset of litigation. That litigation has now been resolved and the CAHT is restarting the process of planning for an affordable housing development for the site.
The CAHT plans to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to seek and select a development team to create new affordable housing at the 139 Bishop Allen site. It is expected that the site will be developed under the provisions of the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO). Once an affordable housing developer has been selected, a community process will be conducted to review redevelopment plans for the site.