Attend meetings on developments citywide; vacant storefronts, bridge work get looks too
A building proposed for Cambridge Crossing includes two floors of retail in two “pavilions” and up to 500 units of housing in portions that step down on the side facing a park.
What’s happening in Cambridge Crossing and at the Millers River affordable apartments?
Planning Board, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday
Two big projects get a look from the board, including design review approval for a building with up to 500 units of housing, two retail pavilions and open space in Cambridge Crossing, the growing neighborhood formerly known as NorthPoint. DivcoWest’s presentation was delayed from March 27.
The comprehensive permit to renovate the affordable Millers River Apartments high-rise (and add two units, for a total 300 “deeply affordable apartments” on site) and create a community center addition with a roof garden arrives as a Board of Zoning Appeal case. The developers want to reduce vehicle parking, add less bicycle parking than what’s required by law and to be exempt from the citizen-proposed “green factor” zoning intended to help prepare the city for climate change.
The board meets on the second floor of the City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, Mid-Cambridge.
What’s happening in Kendall Square?
Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday
The design proposal for a temporary Bank of America trailer will take up the first hour and a half of the long evening. With the cancellation of a meeting last month, this agency focused on Kendall Square likely plans to pick up that unaddressed agenda at 5:30 p.m. That should include talking about plans to transform 105,200 square feet of existing office and lab space into lower-cost innovation space for techy start-ups at 255 Main St., a prominent, accessible space next to a T stop and across from Point Park at Broadway and Main Street.
The agency meets at the Cambridge Police Department, 125 Sixth St., East Cambridge, near Kendall Square.
How will Commonwealth Avenue Bridge work affect Cambridge?
Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Replacement Project public meeting, from 6:30 too 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
The state Department of Transportation is set to begin its Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Replacement on July 26, with work lasting through Aug. 11 and affecting significantly movement along the avenue and bridge; on the Massachusetts Turnpike, which is also Interstate 90; and for Amtrak, MBTA and commuter rail customers. Cambridge residents will potentially be affected, sop staff will describe the construction shutdown in detail, review detour routes and respond to questions.
The meeting will be held in the auditorium of the Morse School, 40 Granite St., Cambridgeport.
What is our library system doing to encourage learning in science, math and the arts?
Steam library design change public meeting, from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Thursday
Cambridge Public Library staff will talk about proposed designs that will support science, technology, engineering, arts and math education programs.
The meeting will be held in the community room of the Cambridge Main Library, 449 Broadway, Mid-Cambridge.
What’s happening with the Envision Cambridge master planning process?
Envision Cambridge open house, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday
Working groups for the Envision Cambridge development master plan process are looking for feedback on draft recommendations that will shape housing, the economy, mobility, climate and environment, community wellbeing and “urban form” in Cambridge in the coming decades. After presentation of the recommendations and existing city actions, participants will be invited to discuss the recommendations, ask questions and propose changes.
The meeting will take place in the ballroom of the Citywide Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square.
What can we do about vacant storefronts?
Vacant Storefronts in the Porter Square area public meeting, from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday
After a look at the state of vacant storefronts in Cambridge – how many there are, how long they tend to stay empty, why and what to do about it – speakers will take questions focused on keeping the streetscape vibrant and ensuring local businesses thrive. Scheduled speakers include Pardis Saffari, of Cambridge’s Economic Development Department; city councillors Sumbul Siddiqui (current chairwoman of the council’s economic development committee) and Jan Devereux (the previous chairwoman); Frank Kramer and Alisa King of Cambridge Local First; and Ellen Shakespeare, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology architecture and urban design student and founder of Spaceous, which focuses on popup spaces for artists. Local property owners and business owners are also invited. The meeting is hosted by the Porter Square Neighbors Association.
The meeting takes place in Lesley University’s Hall Amphitheater, 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square.
