Cambridge Anti-Racism, Equity & Inclusion Initiative
This community’s racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity shapes Cambridge and is what makes it a desirable and enriching place to live, work, and raise a family. In order to best serve the Cambridge community, the City must take an inclusive and equitable approach to address residents' needs.
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.
May 2023 Community Safety Department Update
The City of Cambridge is excited to provide an update on the development of the Cambridge Community Safety Department. The team has been hard at work creating this new department and getting ready to have non police responders going out on mental health 911 calls this Fall, 2023.
Trash and Compost Collection
Due to all-staff safety trainings for the City of Cambridge Department of Public Works (DPW), trash and compost collection normally scheduled for Friday, October 20 will be delayed one day and will occur on Saturday, October 21. Recycling and Yard Waste will remain on the normal schedule.
Free Finished Compost from Yard Waste Program Being Distributed Oct 29
The City of Cambridge will be distributing finished compost free of charge to Cambridge residents on Saturday, October 29, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., at Joan Lorentz Park, (in front of Cambridge Public Library), 449 Broadway, Cambridge. The rain date is October 30 at same time and location.
Deferred Compensation Plans
The City provides employees with access to a Deferred Compensation Plan which allows employees to invest a portion of their wages through payroll deduction on a tax deferred basis in a variety of investment vehicles such as stock and bond mutual funds, guaranteed accumulation accounts, and money market funds.
Weekend Traffic Impacts May 3 and 4
The City of Cambridge is notifying residents, businesses, and visitors of multiple temporary street closures on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4, 2025, due to scheduled community events including the VIVA CENTRAL Block Party, the CEOC 60th Anniversary Celebration, and the 40th Annual Harvard Square MayFair.