From the Community Development Department, May 17, 2017: The city is preparing a retail strategic plan to determine best practice policies and programs that will support and enhance the retail environment in Cambridge. The consultant team Larisa Ortiz Associates and the Economic Development Division of the city’s Community Development Department are leading the planning efforts and will identify short- and long-term goals to propose for a retail retention and recruitment strategy.

Larisa Ortiz Associates has conducted extensive community outreach and will be presenting retail data and strategy updates at three public meetings May 17. The content of each will be the same – the different times are provided to ensure maximum participation. The public is encouraged to attend any one:

Carl Barron Business Forum, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Cambridge College, 1000 Massachusetts Ave. in Mid-Cambridge. The Barron Forum brings together the Cambridge business community and is sponsored by the Cambridge Business Coalition (Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Cambridge Local First, the Central Square Business Association, East Cambridge Business Association, Harvard Square Business Association and Kendall Square Association) in partnership with the City Manager’s Office. Please register here.

Economic Development and University Relations Committee, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Sullivan Chamber at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square. A public hearing will be held. Details are here.

Retail Strategic Plan Presentation, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Ackerman Room at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square. A public presentation will be hosted by the Economic Development Division of the Community Development Department.

For updates on the retail strategy, click here.