City of Cambridge Seeking Volunteers to Serve on Foundry Advisory Committee

Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking volunteers to serve on the Foundry Advisory Committee (FAC). The Committee is made up of seven community members who serve three-year terms. Meetings are held quarterly and are open to the public.

The FAC serves in an advisory capacity to the City of Cambridge and the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA), to help ensure that the Foundry building’s redevelopment and ongoing operation remains consistent with the Vision and Objectives established in the Demonstration Plan. The Foundry, which is located at 101 Rogers Street, Cambridge, is now under construction. The Foundry’s nonprofit operator, the Foundry Consortium, will manage the building once construction is complete in spring 2022.

The FAC provides regular updates to the City Manager and to the CRA Executive Director on anticipated building operations to ensure they are consistent with the vision and objectives that grew out of an extensive community planning process. The Committee will also review any proposals for significant capital changes after the Foundry becomes operational, to assess how they affect the Foundry’s objectives. The Committee also provides annual updates to the CRA Board at regular Board meetings, which provides an additional forum for public input.

The City Manager seeks individuals with demonstrated ability to work effectively on a team with diverse opinions to craft consensus recommendations. The Committee is intended to include experience and expertise in topic areas related to the Foundry’s planned uses (visual and performing arts, technology, maker-spaces, entrepreneurship, and workforce development) as well as representation from various neighborhoods within the city, and local non-profit and community organizations.

Additionally, it is a City of Cambridge goal to expand and deepen community engagement with a focus on strengthening the diversity and inclusion of its various boards and commissions, and to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. 

Additional information regarding the Foundry building is available on the project webpage: www.cambridgeredevelopment.org/foundry.

The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, July 16, 2021. Applications can be submitted to City Manager Louis A. DePasquale using the City’s online application system at cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume, or an overview of relevant experience, can also be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. Please note that as of June 15, 2021, walk-in access to City Hall will again be available to the public on certain days. Learn more at www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/Departments. Alternatively, an appointment to pick up a paper application can be made by calling the City Manager's Office at 617-349-4300 or emailing fgaines@Cambridgema.gov.