Porter Square, Cambridge, MA
Government & development in Porter Square, Cambridge
Town government, zoning and development, roads, and public safety in Porter Square, Cambridge, MA. Updated daily from the Porter Square, Cambridge morning brief.
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Get the morning briefEarly voting continues today at three Cambridge sites
Oct 18 · City of Cambridge →
Monday: City Council regular meeting
Oct 18 · City of Cambridge →
Tuesday: Hearing on Cambridge geothermal planning
Oct 18 · City of Cambridge →
Wednesday: 135 Sherman Street facility update
Oct 18 · City of Cambridge →
Thursday: Transportation committee public hearing
Oct 18 · City of Cambridge →
Thursday: 25 Lowell Street community meeting
Oct 18 · City of Cambridge →
Zoning board rejects appeal of 90 Lexington Avenue project
Oct 17 · Cambridge Day →
Memorial Drive closes for Head of the Charles weekend
Oct 17 · City of Cambridge →
Nature festival and lantern parade at Magazine Beach
Oct 17 · Mass Audubon →
Police close streets after serious multi-vehicle crash in The Port
Oct 16 · Cambridge Day →
Driver sentenced in cyclist John Corcoran's death
Oct 16 · Cambridge Day →
Mass. Ave. businesses voice concerns over planned bike and bus lanes
Oct 16 · Cambridge Day →
BZA to hear appeal of 90 Lexington Avenue permit
Oct 15 · City of Cambridge →
Pole and Conduit Commission meets online today
Oct 15 · City of Cambridge →
Pressley promotes continued funding for EZRide shuttle
Oct 15 · Cambridge Day →
Cambridge records Sunday combined-sewer overflow after rain
Oct 14 · Cambridge | Somerville Independent →
Waste advisory committee considers clear bags for food-waste collection
Oct 14 · City of Cambridge →
Cambridge stormwater committee meets at City Hall Annex
Oct 14 · City of Cambridge →
City holds noon session on affordable rental programs
Oct 14 · City of Cambridge →
Ranger-led nature walk at Fresh Pond
Oct 14 · City of Cambridge →
Kids can make climate-superhero costumes at O'Neill Branch
Oct 14 · City of Cambridge →
Domestic Violence Vigil and memorial exhibit at City Hall
Oct 13 · City of Cambridge →
LGBTQ+ Commission meets at the Main Library
Oct 13 · City of Cambridge →
Cambridge meetings this week cover sewer spills, schools and hotel plans
Oct 12 · Cambridge | Somerville Independent →
Half-Earth Day brings conservation program to Sanders Theatre
Oct 12 · Harvard Box Office →
Cambridge school bus on-time arrivals rise to 68%
On-time arrivals rose from 42% to 68% during the first five weeks of school after CPS added transportation-office staff and consolidated routes. The district shared the update at an October 8 School Committee Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee meeting.
Oct 11 · Cambridge | Somerville Independent →
Wednesday: Stormwater advisory committee meets
The CSO Control and Stormwater Management Advisory Committee meets Wednesday, October 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference Room at City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway.
Oct 11 · City of Cambridge →
Cambridge officials announce sessions after two shootings
After nonfatal shootings near Comeau Field on October 6 and in the Columbia Terrace area late October 7, officials announced a drop-in session for North Cambridge residents. Meet city leaders Monday, October 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Fresh Pond Apartments, 362 Rindge Ave.
Oct 10 · Cambridge | Somerville Independent →
Cambridge opposes plan to fence off Magazine Beach land
On Friday, October 9, City Manager Yi-An Huang sent the MWRA a letter opposing a proposal that could permanently close off 2.3 acres of Magazine Beach. The proposed 10.1-million-gallon stormwater tank would sit beneath the fields, and the city says the plan would significantly affect public open space.
Oct 10 · Cambridge | Somerville Independent →
Massachusetts Avenue construction pauses for Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Construction on Massachusetts Avenue will pause Monday, October 12, for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Catenary-pole removal is scheduled to resume during the week of October 13, with accessible pedestrian access maintained.
Oct 10 · City of Cambridge →
Canvass for the midterms from Porter Square
Swing Blue Alliance lists a New Hampshire midterm canvass today, Saturday, October 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants meet at 25 White St. in Porter Square before heading out to knock on doors.
Oct 10 · Swing Blue Alliance →
Join a fall cleanup near Valente Branch Library
Keep Cambridge Beautiful’s cleanup runs today, Saturday, October 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting at Valente Branch Library, 826 Cambridge St. Volunteers will clean nearby streets, King Open School, Donnelly Field and Cambridge Street public seating; supplies and refreshments are provided.
Oct 10 · Keep Massachusetts Beautiful →
MWRA proposal could fence off Magazine Beach sports fields
MWRA representatives proposed permanently fencing off 2.3 acres of Magazine Beach for a stormwater tank, with more parkland needed during construction. Cambridge officials said Thursday, October 8, that they intend to respond; the proposal has not been adopted.
2400 Mass. Ave. housing project moves into next phase
The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority has begun work on a plan for affordable and middle-income housing at 2400 Massachusetts Ave. A public-comment session is scheduled online for October 15, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Harvard Square plaza work pauses Monday for Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Harvard Square plaza work is scheduled to continue through Friday, October 9, with no work on Monday, October 12. Both Super Crosswalks will close at the same time during work, with signed detours in place.
Oct 9 · City of Cambridge →
HONK! parade heads from Davis Square toward Harvard Square Sunday
The parade is scheduled for Sunday, October 11, from noon to 2 p.m., traveling along Massachusetts Avenue from Davis Square toward Harvard Square and crossing into Cambridge. Expect Davis-area road closures and bus reroutes; check posted signs and transit notices.
Oct 9 · Somerville Arts Council →
Shooting near Columbia Terrace sends one person to hospital
Police, fire and ProEMS responded to a shooting near Columbia Terrace in The Port late Wednesday, October 7. Police said they did not believe the incident posed a broader danger as they investigated.
Oct 8 · Cambridge Day →
One person injured in shooting near Russell Field
A shooting near Russell Field on Tuesday, October 6, injured one person, who was taken to a hospital. Police said there was no ongoing threat as detectives investigated.
Oct 8 · Patch →
Council backs crisis support and other measures for sex workers
On Monday, October 5, the City Council approved a policy order calling for a crisis help line, anti-poverty measures and support for LGBTQIA+ youth. Eight councillors voted in favor and one voted present; the order asks police to make arrests of sex workers a low priority but does not change state law.
Oct 8 · Cambridge Day →
Cambridge offices and libraries close for Indigenous Peoples’ Day
City offices, libraries and senior centers will close Monday, October 12. Parking meters will not require payment, street cleaning will be suspended and waste collection will run one day behind schedule; Cambridge Cemetery gates will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Oct 8 · City of Cambridge →
MBTA plans Saturday schedules for Indigenous Peoples’ Day
On Monday, October 12, the MBTA plans Saturday schedules for the subway, buses and The RIDE. Subway service will not include late-night service; commuter rail and ferry service are scheduled to run on regular weekday schedules.
Oct 8 · WBUR →
Historical Commission reviews Mid-Cambridge conservation report tonight
The Cambridge Historical Commission meets online Thursday, October 8, from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Its agenda includes a public hearing on the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District decennial report and recommendations to City Council, as well as preservation grants and a director’s report.
Oct 8 · City of Cambridge →
Council sends inclusionary-zoning report to committee
On Monday, Oct. 5, the City Council unanimously referred a report on possible changes to Cambridge’s inclusionary-zoning requirements to the Ordinance Committee.
Oct 7 · Cambridge Day →
Council advances Huron Avenue bike-lane project
On Monday, Oct. 5, councillors rejected a delay and advanced the project, while asking the city to pursue parking alternatives before spaces are removed next year.
Oct 7 · Cambridge Day →
Election Commission meets ahead of November election
The Cambridge Election Commission meets online today at 3 p.m. The voter-registration deadline for the Nov. 3 state election is Oct. 24.
Oct 7 · City of Cambridge →
Social Housing Joint Task Force meets at City Hall Annex
The task force meets today from 3 to 5 p.m. at 344 Broadway, with remote participation and public comment available.
Oct 7 · City of Cambridge →
BEUDO Review Board meets remotely
The Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance Review Board meets online today from 4 to 6 p.m. to review implementation and compliance.
Oct 7 · City of Cambridge →
Bicycle Committee meets on city transportation issues
The Cambridge Bicycle Committee meets today from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at City Hall Annex, with remote participation available.
Oct 7 · City of Cambridge →
American Freedmen Commission holds public working meeting
The commission meets online today at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will not include public comment.
Oct 7 · City of Cambridge →
Bring recyclables to neighborhood pop-up event
Residents can bring batteries, books, electronics, bulbs, plastic film, scrap metal and other accepted materials to 161 Garden St. today from 4 to 7:30 p.m.
Oct 7 · City of Cambridge →
Cambridge tentatively selects 40 Civic Assembly participants
On Monday, October 5, Cambridge tentatively selected 40 participants for its first Civic Assembly on ShotSpotter and public-park surveillance. City staff must confirm participants before the four-session process begins October 24.
Public Planting subcommittees meet online this morning
The Committee on Public Planting's Outreach Subcommittee meets online at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 6, followed by the Policy and Planning Subcommittee at 9 a.m. Both meetings are open to residents remotely.
Oct 6 · City of Cambridge →
Ordinance Committee cancels Tuesday zoning hearing
The Ordinance Committee canceled its 3 p.m. Tuesday, October 6, hearing on Alexandria Real Estate Equities' petition concerning a 250,000-square-foot transfer and affordable-housing conversion at 161 First Street.
Oct 6 · City of Cambridge →
Planning Board meets remotely Tuesday evening
The Planning Board meets remotely at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 6. Residents can watch online or on cable and comment on scheduled development matters.
Oct 6 · City of Cambridge →
River Street project pauses for Indigenous Peoples' Day
The River Street Reconstruction Project schedule calls for no work Monday, October 12, for Indigenous Peoples' Day. Crews are scheduled for curb, sidewalk, utility, plaza, planter and raised-crossing work during the week of October 5.
Oct 6 · City of Cambridge →
Linear Park work continues near Alewife and Cedar Street
This week, crews are laying brick pavers near Cedar Street and working on path intersections at Alewife Station. Expect pedestrian management and rerouting; no work is planned for Monday, October 12.
Oct 5 · City of Cambridge →
Cambridge to select 40-member Civic Assembly panel today
The city will hold a public lottery at 5 p.m. in City Hall’s Sullivan Chamber to select 40 participants for its Civic Assembly. The assembly will develop recommendations on public-safety and surveillance technologies, including gunshot detection and park cameras.
Oct 5 · City of Cambridge →
Cambridge City Council meets tonight
The City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, with hybrid participation and remote public comment available.
Oct 5 · City of Cambridge →
Community Benefits committee reviews grant recommendations today
The Community Benefits Advisory Committee meets from 3 to 6 p.m. at City Hall Annex, with an online option. Members will review small-grant data, discuss funding recommendations and consider next steps for larger grants.
Oct 5 · City of Cambridge →
Half Crown-Marsh conservation commission meets tonight
The commission meets virtually at 5:30 p.m. Residents can register online.
Oct 5 · City of Cambridge →
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