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Community Development > Mass Ave Planning Study - Cambridge Common to Alewife Brook Parkway
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Mass Ave Planning Study - Cambridge Common to Alewife Brook Parkway

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The Mass Ave Planning Study (MAPS), spearheaded by the Cambridge Community Development Department, is creating a vision plan for what Massachusetts Avenue will look like in 2040 between Alewife Brook Parkway and Cambridge Common. 

This plan is part of the implementation of Envision Cambridge, the City's comprehensive plan. It will study various aspects such as land use, zoning, urban design, housing, climate resiliency, small business support, mobility, and public space.

The team will work with the community to develop a shared vision to shape future development types and scales, and lead an engagement process to capture all the voices that call this part of Mass Ave home.

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Latest Updates

South of Porter online feedback!

If you were not able to attend our in-person meeting about a draft vision and potential ideas for South of Porter Square, don't worry! You still have a chance to weigh in!

Please use our online engagement form, which will lead you through the content that was presented with prompts for your feedback. We'd love to hear your input on the draft vision and ideas for South of Porter Square. 

Mass Ave Collaboration Map!

The Mass Ave Planning Study team has created an online mapping tool for anyone to provide their input and feedback on the part of Mass Ave within our study area. You can point out areas you love, places that need improvement, and opportunities for change. The mapping tool will help the planning team uncover pressing issues and gather ideas for the planning study.

You can also submit comments via our feedback form. We take all forms of feedback into consideration. Please take a moment and explore the map!

Submit Feedback Start Mapping!

Community Engagement

Upcoming Meetings: North Mass Ave + Porter Square

Working Group Meeting October 10, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

We will be hosting a working group meeting for the Mass Ave Planning Study (MAPS) on October 10, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Join us as we discuss public feedback from the 9/26 community meeting, review the community-based goals for North Mass Ave, and establish the approach for future recommendations for North Mass Ave. The recommendations will cover issues such as housing, urban design, zoning, open space, climate resiliency and small business development, among others.

This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. https://cambridgema.zoom.us/j/84361015286

 

Meeting Recap: North Mass Ave + Porter Square - Round 1

Community Meeting September 26, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

We hosted a community meeting for the Mass Ave Planning Study (MAPS) on September 26, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. It was our first of four meetings focusing on North Mass Ave, including Porter Square. In the meeting our team presented initial analysis of the study area and findings of North Mass Ave and in smaller group discussions we defined our goals for this study area.

  • We worked together to understand the needs and aspirations for North Mass Ave, including Porter Square.
  • We outlined the next phases of the planning study this fall, including the zoning process.

A recording and presentation of this meeting can be found in our Meeting Materials section and here.

 

Meeting Materials

Working Group Meetings

  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 4 (South of Porter) 06/27/24 presentation
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 4 (South of Porter) 06/27/24 video
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 3 (South of Porter) 04/24/24 presentation
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 2 (South of Porter) 03/14/24 video
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 2 (South of Porter) 03/14/24 presentation
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 1 02/08/24 video
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 1 02/08/24 presentation

Community Meetings

  • MAPS Community Meeting 5 (North Mass Ave) 09/26/24 presentation
  • MAPS Community Meeting 5 (North Mass Ave) 09/26/24 video and chat
  • MAPS Community Meeting 4 (South of Porter) 07/25/24 presentation
  • MAPS Community Meeting 4 (South of Porter) 07/25/24 video
  • MAPS Community Meeting 3 (South of Porter) 05/29/24 meeting boards
  • MAPS Community Meeting 2 (South of Porter) 03/27/24 presentation
  • MAPS Community Meeting 1 02/29/24 video and transcript
  • MAPS Community Meeting 1 02/29/24 presentation

 

Working Project Schedule

Study Area

The Study Area for the Mass Ave Planning Study stretches from the Cambridge Common to Alewife Brook Parkway, two miles of Mass Ave. 

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Key Resources

Local and Area Plans

Citywide Plans

Links to Neighborhood Planning

Mass Ave Planning Study Working Group

For a more complete description of the working group and its members please reference the City Council packet from January 22, 2024 (page 88)

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