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.
Corcoran Park AHO Community Meeting
The CHA is starting the zoning and permitting process for the Modernization of Corcoran Park under the City’s new Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO). This process follows a series of resident meetings, door knocking at Corcoran Park and abutting properties, phone and text outreach to Corcoran Park residents, and August poster sessions open to the neighborhood. Please join the first virtual neighborhood meeting to learn about the project.
Bicycle Committee
The Cambridge Bicycle Committee works to improve conditions for bicyclists in the City of Cambridge and promote bicycling as a means of transportation.
Upcoming Traffic Impacts: July 18–19, 2026
Temporary street closures will be in place this weekend for the Brainchild Block Party in Central Square and the CambridgeSide World Cup Watch Party. Travelers should expect delays and plan alternate routes.
New Mobility Planning
The New Mobility planning process is an effort to learn about and plan for New Mobility options in a way that aligns with and advances existing values and policies.
Cookbook Club (Collins)
January Selections: Love Japan : recipes from our Japanese American kitchen by Sawako Okochi & Aaron Israel with Gabriella Gershenson and The gaijin cookbook : Japanese recipes from a chef, father, eater, and lifelong outsider by Ivan Orkin and Chris Ying.
Join friends and neighbors for a potluck! Try a recipe and bring your results or thoughts to share and discuss with other cooks. All experience levels welcome. No need to bring a dish to join.
Books will be available for pick up at the Boudreau and Collins Branches during library hours.
This event will take place indoors at the Collins Branch (64 Aberdeen Ave.)
For more information contact Liz at edanner@cambridgema.gov or call the Collins Branch at 617-349-4021.
Safety, Privacy, & Social Impact of Artificial Intelligence (Main)
Learn about the privacy limitations for Artificial Intelligence (AI) use, misinformation/scams that use AI, and the social and ethical challenges presented by the introduction of this technology. This class will be delivered by a DOORS program instructor. To learn more about the DOORS program please go to: https://www.digitalpsych.org/doors-program.html
To view and register for other Basic Tech Classes at the Library, please go to tinyurl.com/basictechclass.
Registration is encouraged, but not required.
51st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Lecture (Hybrid)
Join the Cambridge Public Library for the 51st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture with Dr. Brandon M. Terry.
Dr. Terry is the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Social Sciences at Harvard University and Co-director of the Institute on Policing, Incarceration, and Public Safety at the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research. He is the author of Shattered Dreams, Infinite Hope: A Tragic Vision of the Civil Rights Movement and is coeditor, with Tommie Shelby, of To Shape a New World: Essays on the Political Philosophy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and editor of Fifty Years Since MLK. Registration is required.
World Portuguese Language Day – Free concert (Main)
World Portuguese Language Day is celebrated every year in May. It is a celebration shared by millions around the world, including among the vast and important Portuguese speaking communities in Massachusetts. Portuguese is a global language, spoken by millions in different continents, and it is one of the most spoken languages in Massachusetts.
Join us for an afternoon of celebration with the music of Portugal, Cape Verde, and Brazil, followed by light refreshments. Performers at the event include Mia Tomé, accompanied by Zé Manel Cavaco from Portugal; Vuca Pinheiro and Nhela Sax from Cape Verde; and the Trio Alma Brasileira from Brazil. The event is organized by the Consulates General of Portugal, Cape Verde, and Brazil, with the support of Camoes, Institute for Cooperation and Language, and in partnership with the Cambridge Public Library.
Mass Ave Planning Study (MAPS) Working Group - Meeting 1
We will be hosting our first working group meeting for the Mass Ave Planning Study on Wednesday, February 7 at 6 PM. The meeting will serve as an introduction to the project; an opportunity for working group members to learn more about the process; and a chance for any members of the public to ask initial questions for the planning team. This meeting will be held via Zoom.