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Chapter 90 Contract 11
Includes Brattle St, Prospect St, Middlesex St, Cedar St, Cameron Ave, Municipal Lot #2
/CDD/Projects/trafficcalming/chapter90contract11
Watson Street Lot
The City of Cambridge established a pollinator garden at the vacant lot at the corner of Brookline and Watson Streets in anticipation of future open space improvements.
/CDD/Projects/Parks/brooklinewatsonlot
35 Cherry Street
The Cherry Street lot at 35 Cherry Street was acquired by the City as the result of a real estate development agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) involving a number of parcels in an adjacent sector of the Main Street corridor.
/CDD/Projects/Housing/cherrystreetlot
Central Square City Lots Study - Virtual Community Meeting!
This will be a virtual community meeting for the study of city-owned property in Central Square. We will present draft recommendations for the future uses of the sites based on community feedback and input, as well as municipal needs.
Central Square City Lots Study: The City of Cambridge Community Development Department (CDD), in collaboration with other city departments and the Cambridge community, is leading a municipal property needs assessment and planning study for city-owned properties in Central Square.
/CDD/News/2023/12/centralsquarecitylotsstudyvirtualcommunitymeeting!
1826 and 1840 Massachusetts Avenue
Just A Start Corporation (JAS), a local non-profit affordable housing provider, purchased 1826 and 1840 Massachusetts Avenue, two surface parking lots, from Lesley University in late November 2024. Located in the Neighborhood Nine neighborhood, the site is in close proximity to the many amenities of Porter Square including restaurants, retail and the MBTA station.
JAS is planning to create new affordable housing at the sites under the provisions of the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO).
/CDD/Projects/Housing/18261840massachusettsavenue
Food Business Basics Program
The City of Cambridge Community Development Department (CDD) is launching a new program for Cambridge residents who have a passion for food and a dream of owning a business, but a lot of questions about combining the two.
/CDD/News/2024/2/foodbusinessbasicsprogram
71 Cherry Street
The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA), in partnership with the Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House (MFNH), plans to develop a portion of the MFNH lot, located at 71 Cherry Street, into new affordable homeownership units. This development will happen in conjunction with the revitalization of the MFNH. The CRA plans on creating these new housing units under the provisions of the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO).
/CDD/Projects/Housing/71cherrystreet
Central Square City Lots Study - Virtual Public Meeting October 25
This will be a virtual public meeting to share information about the project; review the sites that we are planning for; and receive community input and ideas on future uses for these properties. We will cover similar content to our prior in-person meeting, but in an online friendly format.
Central Square City Lots Study: The City of Cambridge Community Development Department (CDD), in collaboration with other city departments and the Cambridge community, is leading a municipal property needs assessment and planning study for city-owned properties in Central Square.
/CDD/News/2023/10/centralsquarecitylotsstudyvirtualpublicmeeting
240 Broadway (Broadway Park)
Just A Start (JAS) is planning to create new affordable rental housing on an existing JAS-controlled site located at 243 Broadway in the Port neighborhood. Known as Broadway Park, the site is currently an existing parking lot and will be developed in conjunction with another new JAS project, 37 Brookline Street, as a scattered-site affordable rental housing project. The new housing at both Broadway Park and 37 Brookline Street will be built to Passive House standards, ensuring maximum energy efficiency.
/CDD/Projects/Housing/240broadwaybroadwaypark
Charles Park
A passive park near the Charles River and the Cambridgeside Galleria between Cambridge Parkway and Land Boulevard near its intersection with Rogers Street. This park also includes a small tot-lot that was renovated in 2005.
/CDD/parks/parksinfo/Parks/charlespark
Cambridge Zones for Multifamily Housing Citywide
On February 10, 2025, the Cambridge City Council voted to adopt zoning amendments that allow multifamily housing in all Cambridge neighborhoods.
/CDD/News/2025/2/zoningformultifamilyhousingcitywide
52 New Street
Just A Start (JAS) is constructing 106 units of affordable housing on an underutilized parcel immediately adjacent to Danehy Park in Neighborhood Nine.
/CDD/Projects/Housing/52newstreet
Park Projects
Park projects and planning efforts currently underway or recently completed.
/CDD/parks/parksprojects
Multifamily Citywide
In March 2024, the City Council passed Policy Order 2024 #37, which asked the Community Development Department “to work with the chairs of the Housing Committee to create zoning language that effectively promotes multifamily housing, including income-restricted affordable housing with the goal of having viable housing for everyone especially lower-income residents.” A series of Housing Committee meetings will be held to discuss the proposal throughout the summer and fall of 2024. Additional information will be posted here as the proposal is developed.
/CDD/Projects/Zoning/multifamilyhousing
Russell Field
This North Cambridge park is bordered by Rindge Avenue, Clifton Street, Harvey Street, and the W.R. Grace property. The Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School football team plays its games here. The park also contains two Little League fields and a soccer field.
/CDD/parks/parksinfo/Parks/russellfield
Join us on Sunday, 10/8 !
This will be the first public meeting for the study of city-owned property in Central Square.
/CDD/News/2023/9/centralsquarecitylotsstudypublicmeeting1
Franklin Street Park
The award winning Franklin Street Park is located on the block between Hancock and Bay Streets in the Riverside neighborhood. Park renovations were completed in 2003.
/CDD/parks/parksinfo/Parks/franklinstpark
Squirrel Brand
The Squirrel Brand project includes several buildings, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse to convert the former candy factory into 18 affordable rental units.
/CDD/Projects/Housing/squirrelbrand
Other Permitting Resources
List of other Cambridge departments responsible for different types of development permitting.
/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/Resources/otherpermittingresources
Farmers Markets
Did you know that you can find a farmers market operating almost every day of the week in Cambridge during the warm weather months? Use the Farmers Market map as resource for more information.
/CDD/parks/farmersmarkets
Other Data Sources
Other data sources for statistical analysis and research.
/CDD/factsandmaps/othercitydatasources
Massachusetts Names City of Cambridge a Climate Leader Community
Cambridge is proud to announce that it is one of just 19 Massachusetts communities to have achieved Climate Leader Community certification from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. This certification recognizes how far the city has come in setting and meeting rigorous requirements to become carbon neutral by 2050.
/CDD/News/2025/5/massachusettsnamescityofcambridgeaclimateleadercommunity
35 Cherry Street Begins Construction
Construction begins at 35 Cherry Street, the first homeownership project developed under the Affordable Housing Overlay.
/CDD/News/2025/12/35cherrystreetbeginsconstruction
Citywide Multifamily Housing Proposal Information Sessions
The Cambridge City Council is discussing a proposed set of changes to allow multifamily housing in all neighborhoods of the city. Attend information sessions to learn more and provide input.
/CDD/News/2024/10/citywidemultifamilyhousingproposalinformationsessions
Zoning FAQ
View our new Cambridge Zoning FAQ here to help you navigate the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.
/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/Resources/zoningfaq
New Affordable Housing at 52 New Street
Wingate Properties is processing applications from prospective tenants for new affordable rental housing at 52 New Street.
/CDD/News/2025/10/newaffordablehousingat52newstreet
PARKing Day
PARK(ing) Day is an annual worldwide event where artists, designers and citizens transform metered parking spots into temporary public parks.
/CDD/Projects/Transportation/parkingday
Planning Studies
The Community Development Departments collaborates with other City departments to conduct planning studies of varying scales, often with goals to rezone, solve a particular problem, or create documentation of a topic.
/CDD/planud/planningstudies
4 Mellen St / 1627 Mass Ave
Renovation and new construction of affordable housing proposed under the 100% Affordable Housing Overlay
/CDD/Projects/Housing/1627massave
Car-Free With Kids
Learn how to get around Cambridge with kids on bike, transit, and on foot.
/CDD/Transportation/gettingaroundcambridge/carfreewithkids
Coolidge Place Land Disposition
Cambridge is undertaking a process to consider disposition of public land on Coolidge Place, in Central Square near Massachusetts Avenue and Douglass Street.
/CDD/Projects/Planning/coolidgepllanddisposition
Pilot Program
CitySmart began as a pilot program to test how social marketing affects transportation choices. We hoped to shift approximately 10% of single-occupant vehicle trips to more sustainable modes, such as walking, bicycling and transit.
/CDD/Transportation/CitySmart/citysmartpilotprogram
Watertown-Cambridge Greenway
A multi-use path that follows a former railroad right-of-way from Fresh Pond in Cambridge and to Arlington Street in Watertown.
/CDD/Transportation/projects/completedprojects/watertowncambridgegreenway
By Car
Learn more about getting around Cambridge by car.
/CDD/Transportation/gettingaroundcambridge/bycar
Mid-Cambridge Action Plan
A project page for the Mid-Cambridge Action Plan. Part of the Neighborhood Planning Initiative.
/CDD/planud/NPI/midcambridgeactionplan
Neighborhood Nine Action Plan
A project page for the Neighborhood Nine Action Plan. Part of the Neighborhood Planning Initiative.
/CDD/planud/NPI/neighborhoodnineactionplan
Wellington-Harrington Action Plan
A project page for the Wellington-Harrington Action Plan. Part of the Neighborhood Planning Initiative.
/CDD/planud/NPI/wellingtonharringtonactionplan
PARKing Day Open House
Have questions about PARK(ing) Day in Cambridge? Drop in anytime from 4-7pm on April 18th and get them answered.
/CDD/Calendar/2017/04/19/parkingdayopenhouse
Cambridge Street Code
Whether you walk, bike, drive, or use public transportation, you play an active role in the transportation system. In order for this system to function well, each person must follow the rules, pay attention, and be patient and courteous.
/CDD/Transportation/gettingaroundcambridge/cambridgestreetcode
Safe Routes to School
Webpage for the Cambridge Safe Routes to School program to support and encourage students who wish to walk or bike to school.
/CDD/Transportation/gettingaroundcambridge/saferoutestoschool
Past Projects
Learn how local businesses and business associations used the Boosting Business Blocks Grant (formerly known as the Small Business Challenge).
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/smallbusinessassistance/boostingbusinessblocks/sbcw...
Brookline Street
Brookline Street reconstruction project, completed Fall 2010, included sidewalk replacement, repaving, and replacement of the water and sewer lines. Design improvements included traffic calming, safer pedestrian crossings, bicycle lanes and the addition of many more street trees.
/CDD/Transportation/projects/completedprojects/brooklinestreet
Carshare
Carsharing gives Cambridge residents a transportation option that complements the city’s robust transit, bicycling, and walking networks. Carshare members get the benefit of a private car without the cost and responsibility owning one.
/CDD/Transportation/gettingaroundcambridge/bycar/carshare
Special Permits
Information about the Planning Board Special Permit Process and downloadable copy of the application form. Also links to active and completed special permit documents.
/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/developmentreview/specialpermits
Central Square Advisory Committee
The Central Square Advisory Committee is appointed by the City Manager to undertake all large project reviews, receive all applications for variances and special permits for activities within the Central Square Overlay District, and monitor the progress of the Central Square non-zoning recommendations of the K2C2 Study.
/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/advcomms/centraladvcomm
Directions
Directions to Community Development Department offices
/CDD/Directions
Zoning Maps
City of Cambridge zoning and land use maps
/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/Zoning/Maps
Hubway Basics Workshops
Learn the rules of the road for biking in an urban setting. Learn how to use the Hubway Bike Share system.
/CDD/Calendar/2017/04/26/hubwaybasicsworkshop
Bicycle Workshops
The City of Cambridge offers free bicycle training workshops throughout the year for people who work or live in Cambridge. Updated often!
/CDD/Transportation/gettingaroundcambridge/bikesincambridge/bicycleworkshops
2024 Planning Board
Planning Board Agendas, Transcripts and Hearing Notices from 2024.
/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/planningboard/planningboardmeetings/2024pb
Urban Cycling Basics - Healthy Aging in Cambridge
Are you interested in learning how to bicycle around the city of Cambridge? Join us and learn the rules of the road, strategies for riding safely and tips for comfort!
/CDD/Calendar/2016/05/19/urbancyclingbasicshealthyagingincambridge
On-Bicycle Refresher Course
Do you know how to ride a bike, but are a little nervous to ride on the road? This is the course for you!
/CDD/Calendar/2016/05/14/onbicyclerefreshercourse
Bicycle Maintenance Basics Workshop
Learn how to fix a flat, adjust your brakes and much more. Come to one or best sessions!
/CDD/Calendar/2016/05/25/bicyclemaintenancebasicsworkshop
Bicycle Maintenance Basics Workshop
Learn how to fix a flat, adjust your brakes and much more. Come to one or best sessions!
/CDD/Calendar/2016/05/25/bicyclemaintenancebeyondbasicsworkshop
Pedestrian Plan
Reviews elements of the Cambridge Pedestrian Plan
/CDD/Transportation/programs/currentprograms/pedestrianplan
Rules of the Road
Learn about the rules of the road in Massachusetts, whether you drive, bike, or walk.
/CDD/Transportation/rulesoftheroad
Bluebikes Bike Share
The City jointly owns the Bluebikes bike share system with Boston, Brookline, Everett, and Somerville. New communities include Arlington, Chelsea, Newton, Revere and Watertown.
/CDD/Transportation/gettingaroundcambridge/bikesincambridge/bikeshare
Past Zoning Amendments Not Adopted
Proposed Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance that were not adopted, either due to being placed on file because the time period for consideration had expired, or due to failure to receive the necessary votes on consideration by the City Council.
/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/Zoning/Amendments/pastzoningamendmentsnotadopted