Last-minute deal for courthouse squandered council power – to developer’s financial gain
Councillor Sumbul Siddiqui hit what is being characterized by some as the equivalent of a walk-off home run to wrap up heated debate over East Cambridge’s former Edward J. Sullivan Courthouse. She felt her deal would disappoint some people – rightfully so.
Siddiqui demands more affordable housing, less parking to see courthouse plan pass 6-3
Recognizing her power as the deciding vote on granting parking spots needed for reuse of East Cambridge’s former courthouse, city councillor Sumbul Siddiqui extracted further concessions from developer Leggat McCall Properties and joined a 6-3 majority.
Testing air finds asbestos below danger limits and sealed inside courthouse as council votes
An inspection and air-quality sampling of the former courthouse in East Cambridge suggest the surrounding community is safe from asbestos and other materials within, according to a letter from a state agency sent in time for a meeting on a redevelopment project.
Special hearing on garage is slated for Sept. 18, potentially deciding fate of courthouse project
A continuation of a hearing on whether to grant city parking and retail space to a potential redevelopment of East Cambridge’s former courthouse has been scheduled for Sept. 18.
Five hours of courthouse comments, debate don’t resolve issue; council goes into recess (corrected)
Discussion of whether to grant city parking and retail space to a potential redevelopment of East Cambridge’s former courthouse was referred by the City Council to a future meeting, but it’s not clear when that meeting will be.
State environmental experts vow quick work on most obvious hazards at aging courthouse
Quick repairs were to begin Friday night to seal the most obvious spots where harmful materials might leak from East Cambridge’s former courthouse – a gaping delivery bay and some open windows. Discussion about other repairs would follow, state experts said.
Resident goes onto site of former courthouse to test for hazardous materials, tells officials
An East Cambridge resident entered the grounds of the neighborhood’s former courthouse to test samples for dangerous substances, reporting the results to city officials and later to his neighbors.
A week of events in Cambridge, Somerville: ‘La Sonnambula,’ robot show, improv fest
In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there is the “La Sonnambula” opera, the unveiling of a life-size robot sculpture, an epic improv comedy fest, and theater, dance, movies and poetry, from DeWitt Henry to Olivia Gatwood, much of it free.
Killer of Richelle Robinson was former friend in an argument with group, investigators say
The year-old death of 15-year-old Richelle Robinson has a suspect – a former friend who’d fallen out with her and their mutual friends group, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Meetings on courthouse parking are delayed, coinciding with citizen complaints of illegality
Two steps in deciding the future of the increasingly blighted site of East Cambridge’s former courthouse were delayed this week with the cancellation of a Tuesday meeting of the Planning Board. Now the board meets Aug. 13 and the City Council follows Sept. 9.
