Chill Out at a Cool Spot This Summer
Cool Spots are public spaces where community members are encouraged to gather, connect, and cool off. In the first round of implementation completed in June 2025, four pilot locations for Cool Spots have been launched across the City.
78-80 Porter Road
In 2009, the Cambridge Housing authority (CHA) through its Cambridge Affordable Housing Corporation (CAHC) purchased a 26-unit rental property in Porter Square, also known as 78-80 Porter Road, with the financial assistance from the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust. Additional financing was used to significantly renovate the property and convert the mostly market-rate housing units into affordable housing rented out to income-eligible residents. In the process of updating and replacing old systems, the CHA was able to maintain and restore historically significant elements of the building.
6 - Mid-Cambridge
Mid-Cambridge is one of Cambridge's largest neighborhoods, stretching from Central Square in the east to Harvard Square in the west and north to Inman Square and the Cambridge/Somerville border. It is predominantly residential but also includes parts of the Harvard University campus, Cambridge and Youville Hospitals, and the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.
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).
News and Current Projects
On the News and Current Projects page, we describe the art conservation program's year-round active care for Cambridge's public art collection. Here we feature the most recent exciting projects.
Vacancy Recount Results
Following a Vacancy Recount of the 2,776 ballots credited to Emily Dexter in the 2019 School Committee Election, David Weinstein was elected to the Cambridge School Committee for the 2020-2021 term.
Linocut Printmaking (Central Square)
In this class students will be introduced to the printmaking process of linocut. The class will cover techniques in carving linoleum, composition, ink mixing, and printing. At their own pace students will learn how to create a design and carve it in linoleum using carving tools. Students will learn how to ink and print their linoleum blocks by hand. In a relaxed and welcoming environment students will create many beautiful prints of their own as well as collaborate with their classmates. This class is suitable for beginners and can be adjusted for all levels of experience.
This class is taught by Brooke Lambert, a professional printmaker and painter. She holds a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design and shows her work widely in New England, New York, and beyond. Brooke works in Studio 291 at Western Avenue Studios & Lofts in Lowell, MA. She is currently represented by The Society of American Graphic Artists in New York, NY, Galaray House in Boston, MA and Bay View Artisan Gallery in Meredith, NH. Brooke is sponsored by Akua Inks and Speedball Art Products. She has fourteen years of teaching experience and currently teaches adult art workshops and holds artist demos at several locations in New England.