Daily brief · Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA
Planning Board weighs land swap, Galeria delay
September 21, 2026
Top story
Planning Board to Review Harvard Square, Kendall Square Land Swap
At its 6:30 p.m. Tuesday meeting, the Planning Board takes up a zoning proposal that would let Alexandria Real Estate Equities add 250,000 square feet in a new Technology Square Transfer Receiving District in exchange for 161 First St., an early-1900s brick building that would become more than 30 affordable homes under Affordable Housing Overlay zoning. The board will also consider a second extension for the Crimson Galeria's plan to add 40 homes atop its Harvard Square restaurant building across from Winthrop Park, which the owners attribute to higher interest rates and cost overruns on a separate Brookline project. Related items, including relocation of the historic Harriet Jacobs House, are on the calendar for meetings Sept. 21-28.
Cambridge | Somerville Independent
Utility Test Pit Excavations Begin Along Massachusetts Avenue
City contractors start excavating utility test pits along Mass Ave today, temporarily affecting traffic and parking near Chauncy, Linnaean, and Shepard streets.
City of Cambridge
Adam Hendey Celebrates Album Release at Club Passim
Adam Hendey performs tonight at Club Passim (doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m.), celebrating his 2026 album 'Illuminate' with a Celtic ensemble and guest appearances; the show streams live.
Club Passim
School Committee Delays Vote on AI Math-Tutoring Software
The Cambridge School Committee postponed a vote Sept. 20 on renewing Edia Learning's AI math-tutoring software pending further review, and approved a comprehensive review of the Rindge School of Technical Arts due by March 31.
Cambridge | Somerville Independent
Harvard Workshop Introduces Undergrads to Science Research
Harvard's virtual Undergraduate Science Research Workshop runs today, 4:30-5:30 p.m., covering how to find research opportunities and contact labs.
Harvard FAS Mignone Center for Career Success
Design Leader Karen Reuther Speaks at Harvard Square's COOP
Karen Korellis Reuther speaks tonight, 6-7 p.m., at 1400 Massachusetts Ave., in a fireside chat on her design career, leadership, and book on gender bias in the built world.
Harvard FAS Mignone Center for Career Success
Harvard Seminar Examines Scaling Health Care in Uganda
The Weatherhead Center hosts 'Scaling Care, Saving Lives: Evidence from an Iterative Trial in Uganda' today, 3-4:15 p.m., at Boylston Hall's Fong Auditorium.
Weatherhead Center for International Affairs
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