Commercial buildings in Kendall
Planning Board and Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Last week these groups got together and approved (with some more design details to be pinned down) a 38-story residential building proposed for 135 Broadway, Kendall Square – due to become Cambridge’s tallest building in a plan that resulted from making room for Eversource to sink a substation nearby. This week brings discussion of 250-foot companion buildings at 250 and 290 Binney St., which developer Boston Properties expects to each hold 16 floors of lab and office space and another two levels of mechanical penthouse; one building is pitched as having seven levels of below-ground parking; the other, eight. They’ll have “vibrant, active-use retail and services” at ground level, according to materials presented to the board and CRA. Watchable by Zoom video conferencing.
An update on Covid aid money
Finance Committee, 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday. This committee run by city councillors Dennis Carlone and Patty Nolan gets an update on the city’s application and funding status for American Rescue Plan Act money – Covid recovery aid that includes $65 million from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. There’s an additional $23.1 million coming through the state, for a total $88.1 million to be applied to community needs. The committee meets at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square. Televised and watchable by Zoom video conferencing.
Energy use disclosure law
Ordinance Committee, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. This committee run by city councillors Marc McGovern and Quinton Zondervan expects to discuss amendments to a “Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance” that could – finally – drive down energy use and emissions in existing buildings in Cambridge, part of the city’s proposed New Green Deal. The committee meets at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square. Televised and watchable by Zoom video conferencing.
A stronger
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so if this Binney st commercial building is a “companion” to the 38 story (450 ft) residential tower, where is it in the proposed design drawing for context? this is the problem with these presentations. They don’t tell the whole story or viewshed up and down streets. It is piecemeal.
But at least these are not in the middle of vintage neighborhoods which have their own value. If it has to be done, this may be the ONLY location.