Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

May 22, 2023

Just when you thought things couldn’t get nuttier – May 22, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

Just when you thought things couldn’t get nuttier – May 22, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

This week brings a few more pearls of ignorance from Mr. Zondervan. Specifically, in spite of the ongoing Charter Review process, he wants to cut the line and put a ballot question on the November municipal ballot to change the charter specifically to make the Police Review and Advisory Board a popularly elected board. I suppose the Party for Socialism and Liberation kids may be interested in the jobs. I understand that he’s not pleased that his colleagues thought so little of his controversial Order last week that they proposed a more sensible substitute, so this week he’s decided to double down. Let’s not overlook that little QZ pearl from last week’s meeting when he said: “The institution of policing itself is fundamentally broken and we must move away from it as quickly as possible.” Does anyone actually take this guy seriously? Oh yeah, he also has an Order asking for a legal opinion on whether Cambridge could permanently switch to the MWRA water supply, i.e. abandon our state-of-the art water treatment plant at Fresh Pond. The wackiness doesn’t stop there.

Here’s this week’s Whitman Sampler:

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the third annual Cycling Safety Ordinance (CSO) Progress Report.
pulled by Toner; comments by PT,DS,QZ,DC,PN,AM; Placed on File 9-0

Cambridge political discourse these days seems to boil down to bike lanes, subsidized housing, and BEUDO. I’m confident that Public Comment will draw the usual suspects suspects eager to take sides on the bike lane issue, and the councillors will surely follow suit in their typically unyielding fashion. I pledge allegiance to the [FILL IN THE BLANK].

Manager’s Agenda #7. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) Community Connections Grant, in the amount of $230,070.35, to the Grant Fund Community Development Department Extraordinary Expenditures account. Funds will contribute to the purchase and installation of Bluebikes bikeshare equipment.
pulled by Zondervan; comments by QZ,BA (who would apparently rather use an e-bike to get to South Station rather than the Red Line); Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #8. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a grant in the amount of $100,000 received from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to the Grant Fund Community Development Department Extraordinary Expenditures account. Funds will support the cost of two 19 dock Bluebikes stations and bicycles that were placed at the Kennedy/Longfellow School and Twin City Plaza.
pulled by Carlone (who questioned by gambling $ is being allocated for bikes rather than gambling addiction prevention); Order Adopted 9-0

Even though there is already a BlueBike station across the street from me at the old Longfellow School, the City apparently wants to install another at the Lee Street park around the corner from me even though the two stations will only be a few hundred feet from each other. Gotta spend that grant money. Now I’ll get to hear the crashing sound of unsuccessful attempts to lock up the bikes in “surround sound”.


Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the proposed Alewife Overlay District: Quadrangle (AOD-Q) Zoning Petition and Design Guidelines. (CM23#147) [Council Memo_Alewife Quad_20230517] [AODQ Height Subdistricts] [CLEAN AOD-Q Zoning Petition – 20230517] [Description of Quadrangle Overlay Boundaries] [New Street Centerlines] [Alewife Design Guidelines_2023.05.15]
pulled by Toner; comments by PT,MM,PN,QZ,DC,BA; Zoning language Adopted as a City Council Zoning Petition, Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board 9-0

Alewife Overlay Proposed Zoning

I’m glad to see this getting started again, and I hope that one day a couple of new crossings of the RR tracks will grow out of whatever happens in the Quadrangle – The Final Frontier (queue up Star Trek intro). A pedestrian bridge over the Little River connecting the wetland/stormwater retention ponds area in the Alewife Triangle to the Science Park area adjacent to Acorn Park Drive would also be a welcome addition (though it’s north of the current study area). If it’s a choice between connectivity and cul-de-sacs, I’ll choose connectivity.


Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with the relevant departments to establish a policy of releasing the names of officers involved in any use of force incident, up to and including those incidents resulting in injury or death. [Charter Right – Zondervan, May 15, 2023]
It is worth noting that the chronic several dozen protesters from the Party for Socialism and Liberation again dominated Public Comment with comments directed at individual councillors (thanks to recent rules changes); Mayor Siddiqui violated City Council Rules three times by allowing speakers to speak a 2nd time;
Zondervan began with prepared speech quoting Angela Davis and others, referring to Toner substitution as “whitewashing amendments”, and referring to all who disagree with him as showing “cowardice” and “hiding behind ideology” (which is so opposite to reality as to be amusing);
Councillor Nolan exhibited resolve by saying that she would not be changing her support for the Toner amendment and that contrary to the statements of protesters there was no consensus on this issue among city residents (correct), that it was fiction to say that the City Council has not taken any action in response to the Jan 4 incident, that all involved police officer names will be released when the investigation is complete, and that releasing the names today will do nothing for justice (all true);
City Manager Huang provided a limited update on where we now stand in the investigation and related processes, that per court order no information in the inquest is to be shared until complete, and provided a chronology of the wealth of City actions that have taken place since January in response to the incident;
Commissioner Elow provided updates on the cooperation of CPD with PERF;
Mallon aligned with Zondervan and stated that she won’t be supporting the Substitute Order and that she wants officer names released now (“it’s what progressive cities do” – as opposed to enlightened cities);
Simmons agreed that a policy is needed and that she would not align with Zondervan noting that the specific circumstances of the January incident are not yet known and that releasing the names now does not buy justice, closure, or anything else and that she supports a full, fair and thorough investigation;
McGovern suggested that the original two “WHEREAS” clauses were simply factual and should be included, and asked whether if a City Council policy was approved prior to the investigative report would the names of the officers be released (City Manager Huang seemed to indicate that if the policy was established he would follow policy while acknowledging need to work cooperatively with Police Department – noting that they are involved in complex and dangerous work – “What you want is a change in the culture.”);
Carlone offered comments including cryptic references to “rumors”;
Siddiqui double-talked about her comments in the Boston Globe and that she would align with Mallon and Zondervan and oppose the Substitute Order;
Toner made clear that he does not want officer names released until after DA report is released and noted that references to the releasing of names in other cities was done in the context of bodycams being instituted;
Zondervan referred to Toner Substitute as “sloppy and misleading”;
Azeem offered a broader perspective on how he arrived at his current understanding and position – especially the range of changes and initiatives that have been arrived at working cooperatively with the Cambridge Police Department and the City Administration;
McGovern referred to last two weeks of public comment as “powerful” (though manipulative, coercive, and short on facts may be better descriptors);
Simmons motion to amend Toner Substitute by adding first two “WHEREAS” clauses Passes 8-1 (QZ – No);
QZ motion to added phrases “including retroactively” Passes 6-3 (PN,DS,PT – No);
QZ amendment to add at end the phrase “with such a policy and the names of the offers involved in Faisal’s killing” Fails 3-6 (AM,QZ,SS – Yes);
Substitute Order Adopted as Amended 5-4 (BA,DC,MM,PN,DS – Yes; AM,PT,QZ,SS – No)

Order #6. That the City Council go on record favoring the filing of the attached home rule petition, entitled: “AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE TO INCLUDE A BALLOT QUESTION ON THE NOVEMBER 7, 2023 MUNICIPAL BALLOT RELATIVE TO THE HOME RULE CHARTER” regarding electing the Police Review and Advisory Board.   Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Zondervan (who was soundly excoriated by his colleagues); comments by QZ,AM,DS; Order Fails of Adoption 1-8 (QZ – Yes)

Another day in Zondervan’s sandbox. The only questions are whether petulance will result in a recess and/or Zoom alternative, and if any of the other councillors sign on to either of these Orders. Perhaps the best strategy going forward might be to simply move a substitute order completely replacing every word and intention of QZ whenever things like these are introduced.


Resolution #4. Congratulations on the birth of Sabrina Reid Roberts.   Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons

Congratulations, Jeff and Sylvia!

Order #1. New Green Park at Third And Binney Streets.   Councillor Carlone, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

This Order concerns the possibility of MIT purchasing a 6,000 square-foot lot at the corner of Third and Binney Streets that could be joined with an adjacent 8,000 square foot lot to create open space in the area of the redeveloping Volpe site in Kendall Square. There is a notion that some or all of the 131 mature trees that are to be removed from the Volpe site could be relocated to this area. This is a very appealing idea, but it’s questionable whether such expensive tree relocations will actually be successful. I would personally like to see a miniature golf course integrated into the Volpe site. Maybe even a batting cage where tech workers can work out their frustrations with a few line drives.

Order #2. Removing Cuba From The State Sponsors Of Terrorism List.   Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Azeem; comments by BA,DC; Order Adopted 7-0-1-1 (MM – Absent; PT – Present)

I’m so glad to see the Council back doing what it does best – foreign policy. Hey, the Council spoke and Muammar Gaddafi got his comeuppance.

Order #3. Law Department to provide a legal opinion on whether Cambridge could permanently switch to the MWRA water supply.   Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Toner; QZ explains that this is only asking for a legal opinion on the legality of abandoning the Cambridge water system; other comments by PT,BA,PN,DS,DC; Order Adopted 5-3-1 (BA,DC,PN,QZ,SS – Yes; AM,DS,PT – No; MM – Absent)

Send Mr. Zondervan some bottled water in glass bottles. The rest of us would prefer to keep our Cambridge water system.

Order #7. That the “Amendments to Protect Family Inclusion and Relationship Diversity” be forwarded to the Ordinance Committee for discussion and recommendation.   Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Zondervan; QZ Motion to Refer to Ordinance Committee; Charter Right – Simmons

Order #8. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Law Department to provide a legal opinion on whether the City could fund affordable housing construction through a ($500 Million, at least) bond issue.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Azeem
pulled by Zondervan; comments by QZ,PN,BA,DC; Amended to add Azeem as co-sponsor; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

This was an idea floated by Councillor Simmons back in May 2021. This is just another facet of the quest of some councillors to replace as much privately-own housing with “social housing” as possible and to use tax revenue from private-property owners to fund that replacement. – Robert Winters

June 26, 2022

Exit, Stage Left – June 27, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

Exit, Stage Left – June 27, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

This will be the last regular City Council meeting until the Aug 1 Midsummer Meeting and then in the fall on Sept 12. This will also be Louis DePasquale’s last regular meeting as City Manager. Here is my first pass at the interesting stuff:On Vacation

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a COVID-19 update.
Placed on File 9-0

The case numbers and other statistics are already easily accessible. I would really like to hear more from the experts about what we might expect for the rest of the summer and into the fall – especially in regard to some of the newer Omicron variants.

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to new appointments and reappointments of the following persons as members of the Cambridge Health Alliance Board of Trustees. New Appointments: Danielle Allen (Cambridge, 1-year term), Joseph Curtatone (Somerville, 3-year term) Reappointments: Lori Lander (Cambridge, 3-year term), Claire Laporte (Cambridge, 3-year term), Bryan Simmons (Somerville, 3-year term)
pulled by Zondervan; Placed on File 9-0

A former gubernatorial candidate and a former Somerville mayor – not your typical Board appointments.

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request from the Board of Election Commissioners recommending the relocation of polling sites, in accordance with Chapter 255 of the Acts of 2020, as amended by Chapter 5 of the Acts of 2021 and Chapter 29 of the Acts of 2021.
Order Adopted 9-0

These are relatively simple changes in polling sites. I have heard that there are some people associated with the Cambridge School Department who object to the use of school buildings as polling sites, and that’s just ridiculous. School buildings are used for this purpose just about everywhere.

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-32 relative to an update on progress made in regard to LGBTQ+-Friendly Housing efforts.
pulled by Simmons; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #7. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $500,000, from Free Cash to the Public Works Public Investment Fund Extraordinary Expenditures account to fund the purchase of a Mack LR Electric rubbish packer.
pulled by Nolan; Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #8. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of appropriation and authorization to borrow $4,500,000 to provide funds for the design and construction of building renovations to the vacant City owned property at 105 Windsor Street.
pulled by Simmons; Charter Right – Zondervan
[Note: Councillor Simmons has been seeking a site for a Cambridge history museum for a number of years. Whether this site is appropriate for this use (among other uses) is an open question. An ideal site would be one that would draw a critical mass of visitors, and it’s not clear that this would meet that criterion.]

“Possible uses include community meeting spaces, spaces for public art, education and exhibitions, as well as a Cambridge history museum and City offices.”

Manager’s Agenda #11. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the authorization of a spending limit of $1,650,000 for Fiscal Year 2023, for the Renewable Energy and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction revolving fund (Revolving Fund), pursuant to Chapter 3.24 of the Municipal Ordinance titled “Departmental Revolving Funds.”
pulled by Zondervan; Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request from Boston Properties Limited Partnership (“Boston Properties”) asking to modify two existing open space restrictive covenants on two parks, Broadway Park (also known as South Park) and Binney Park (also known as North Park). Boston Properties has indicated that this request is being made to facilitate the relocation of Eversource’s proposed electrical substation from its property at 135 Fulkerson Street to the so-called “Blue Garage” site within the Mixed-Use Development (MXD) District in Kendall Square owned by affiliates of Boston Properties Limited Partnership (“BPLP”), as contemplated by the zoning amendment ordained by the City Council on February 3, 2021 as Ordinance No. 2020-17 (the “2021 MXD Amendment”) and the further build-out of this site as described below and will include replacement of the open space that will be lost due to this project. [12A Late Order] [12B Late Order] [12C Late Order]
pulled by Zondervan; 3 (Late) Orders Adopted 9-0; Reconsideration Fails 0-9

I look forward to hearing what neighbor Heather Hoffman might have to say about this. The Manager’s letter notes: “The current Broadway and Binney Park covenants total 21,785 square feet of public open space in the area. This plan will increase the overall amount of publicly dedicated open space to 28,455 total square feet, resulting in a new open space that is larger in area and more functional for the public than the existing Broadway and Binney Parks.” I have to also note the following: “Broadway Park (also known as South Park)”. I have a few interesting ideas now that I know Cambridge has within it a place called “South Park.”

Unfinished Business #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $49,000,000 to provide additional funds for the construction of the Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper Schools project located at 197 Vassal Lane. [Passed to 2nd Reading June 13, 2022; To Be Adopted on or after June 27, 2022]
pulled by Carlone; Order Adopted 8-1 (Zondervan NO); Reconsideration Fails 0-9

This will simply finalize the appropriation vote from two weeks ago.

Multiple Communications re: bikes lanes, the Cycling Safety Ordinance, and lawsuit filed by Cambridge Streets for All.

Resolution #8. Congratulations to Louis A. DePasquale on his retirement from his position as City Manager for the City of Cambridge.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Simmons
pulled by Toner; Resolution Adopted 9-0

Resolution #11. Congratulations to James P. Maloney on the occasion of his retirement from the position of Chief Operating Officer of the Cambridge Public Schools.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Toner; Resolution Adopted as Amended 9-0

Resolution #14. Congratulations to Arthur Goldberg on his retirement from the position of Deputy City Solicitor for the City of Cambridge.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Mallon; Resolution Adopted as Amended 9-0

Resolution #15. Congratulations to James Monagle on his retirement from the position of City Auditor for the City of Cambridge.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Mallon; Resolution Adopted as Amended 9-0

I have known all of these men for a long time and they all deserve praise for all that they have contributed over the years.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to more fully review the dramatically growing need for expanded Traffic Calming, Traffic Signals and Vision Zero infrastructure through the city.   Councillor Carlone, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Carlone; Amended 9-0; Charter Right – Simmons

What the Order really should say is: “ORDERED: That the City Manager, along with his staff, be and hereby is requested to more fully review the dramatically growing need for expanded Traffic Calming, Traffic Signals and Vision Zero infrastructure through the city; etc.” Not everything the City has done in recent years has been without criticism and much of it could have been done better. The Order as stated simply wants to spend another $5,000,000 on more of the same, and I hope City staff is willing to evaluate what has been done before prior to simply spending more money.

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department, the Harvard Square Business Association, the Office of Tourism, and the Harvard Square Advisory Committee, and other area stakeholders on a plan for piloting more street closures for pedestrianization.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I’m interested in seeing where this might lead. Selective street closures can make for better venues for events and street entertainment, but it could simply relocate traffic to other streets or create more obstruction than opportunity. This is also something we talk about in Central Square (you know, that other Zip Code).

Committee Report #1. The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee met on Apr 5, 2022 to conduct a public hearing on Ordinance #2022-8, an ordinance amending Parking minimums and maximums. [Transcript of meeting]
Accept Report, Placed on File 9-0; One Order Adopted 9-0; 2nd Late Order (zoning petition) referred to Planning Board and Ordinance Committee 9-0

Nothing like a 25-page computer-generated meeting transcript to really cut to the chase. Let me know how the novel turns out. Relevant quotes from staff: (1) “The parking study will take about a year.”; (2) “…one change could be to make it easier for people to use that parking. So that even if the number of spaces is reduced, it doesn’t make people’s daily lives any harder.” [Now there’s a shockingly sensible thing to hear.]. All of the Public Comment was from the density boys of ABC. Personally, I think there are parts of the city where it makes sense to eliminate parking minimums and other parts of the city where it makes sense to keep them. Such a nuanced point of view – very out of fashion. – Robert Winters


Late Order #6. That the Cambridge City Council go on record stating its enduring commitment to the protection of abortion rights, reproductive health care rights, and individuals’ rights to make reproductive decisions about their own bodies; and that the Cambridge City Council declare its support for the Executive Order signed by Governor Charlie Baker on June 24th, 2022.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Late Order #7. That Chapter 5 of the Municipal Code be amended to ban “limited services pregnancy centers” that present themselves as providing pregnancy related services but instead seek to persuade people against having an abortion.   Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

March 16, 2022

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 541-542: March 15, 2022

Episode 541 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 15, 2022 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Mar 15, 2022 at 6:00pm. Topics: Ides of March; Spring Training Baseball; Covid status; City Manager search & interim possibilities; Council complaints & light workload; Board appointments – “apply at your own risk”; misunderstanding the Charter and roles of councillors vs. manager. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]


Episode 542 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 15, 2022 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Mar 15, 2022 at 6:30pm. Topics: “Moving Forward Together” w/o most involved councillor; Planning Board discussions re: single-family zoning, evolving roles as planners vs. petition reviewers; building the tax base; some history of Kendall Square, University Park, NorthPoint, Alewife Triangle, Alewife Quadrangle; planning before and after demise of rent control; Blurred Envision; real routes to affordability requires transit and not unilateralism; flexibility in residential uses. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

March 3, 2020

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 457-458: March 3, 2020

Episode 457 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 3, 2020 (Part 1)

This episode was broadcast on Mar 3, 2020 at 5:30pm. Topics: Presidential Primary; Grand Junction Overlay Ordained 9-0, Eversource substation to be relocated. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]


Episode 458 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 3, 2020 (Part 2)

This episode was broadcast on Mar 3, 2020 at 6:00pm. Topics: Grand Junction Pedestrian/Bike Linear Path; Harvard Square Overlay amendments ordained 9-0; matching vacancies to retail tenants; zoning vs. culture of making good things happen. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

February 29, 2020

Leaping Lizards – Mar 2, 2020 Cambridge City Council Meeting Coming Attractions

Leaping Lizards – Mar 2, 2020 Cambridge City Council Meeting Coming Attractions

Reptiles - EscherHere are the things I found interesting and/or horrifying:

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the Harvard Square Conservation District Study Committee report.

Unfinished Business #4. A Zoning Petition has been received from Suzanne P. Blier regarding Harvard Square Zoning Petition. [Passed to a Second Reading on Feb 18, 2020, to be Ordained on or after Mar 2, 2020 (deadline is Mar 10, 2020)]

It seems likely that this thoughtful zoning petition will be ordained this week – perhaps even unanimously. Councillor Carlone offered a few amendments and there may be others, but the core ideas in the petition are sound and the objections appear to be few.


Manager’s Agenda #6. Transmitting communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $15,000,000 from Free Cash to the Affordable Housing Trust to assist in preserving affordability of units at Fresh Pond Apartments at 362 and 364 Rindge Avenue.

Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, transmitting information regarding preserving the affordability of the Fresh Pond Apartments.   Mayor Siddiqui

The primary goal of the Affordable Housing Trust in recent years has been the preservation of existing affordable housing. This additional $15 million from Free Cash will be part of approx. $40 million to guarantee the long-term affordability of 504 apartments. That’s under $80,000 per apartment – a fraction of what it typically costs to create new housing units.

From the City Manager’s letter: "In 2009, the City identified 1,094 units at 10 privately-owned properties where affordability commitments were set to expire by 2021. Affordability has been successfully preserved at nine of these properties, including buildings that for decades have offered affordable housing options for residents in Harvard Square, Inman Square, the Port, Riverside, and West Cambridge. Reaching an agreement to preserve affordability of Fresh Pond Apartments caps our successful efforts to preserve every one of these affordable homes for current and future residents."


Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the City of Cambridge retaining its AAA rating from the nation’s three major credit rating agencies.

This has become almost routine for Cambridge, and it says a lot about the steady hands on the tiller of municipal finance. That hand may have to be especially steady with the current membership of the City Council who have repeatedly shown their eagerness to spend without bound and tax to high heaven.


Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on the proposed Eversource substation on Fulkerson Street.

Unfinished Business #5. A re-filed Zoning Petition has been received from Joseph T. Maguire of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. transmitting a proposed revised amendment to the zoning ordinance by creating the Grand Junction Pathway Overlay District. [Passed to a Second Reading on Feb 10, 2020, to be Ordained on or after Feb 24, 2020 (deadline is Mar 9, 2020)]

The alternate site proposed for the Eversource substation has now been revealed – a portion of the Blue Garage of Boston Properties between Broadway and Binney. The garage will need to be demolished to allow for the construction of the substation and replacement parking, and zoning relief will be needed to offset these costs by adding two new 400,000 square foot commercial buildings that will have to be approved under an amended Kendall Square Urban Renewal Plan (KSURP) and the MXD zoning district. In short, it’s not quite as simple as tossing up a few big transformers on a vacant piece of land.

The relocation of the electrical substation was the primary stumbling block for the Grand Junction Pathway Overlay District Petition, so if all goes well that will likely also be ordained at this meeting.


Order #4. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to confer with the Economic Development Division of the Community Development Department to prepare a report on any steps it has taken to work towards developing a Vacant Storefront Registration Policy.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone

I don’t see any real down side to having a Vacant Storefront Registration Policy. In fact, it could provide a relative accurate inventory from which thoughtful people may be able to marry potential retailers to available sites. [This is one of the multiple roles that the recently established Central Square Business Improvement District (BID) plays.]

I do, however, worry that the City may find a way to lay a heavy hand on property owners who may have perfectly understandable reasons for having a vacancy. Gentle persuasion is better than the heavy hand. I still remember the asinine proposal from the City Council not long ago that vacant properties should be subjected to an onerous tax equivalent to the entire assessed value of the property over the course of two years. That would never have passed legal muster, but it serves as a reminder of the confiscatory mindset of some councillors.


Order #5. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct staff to begin including a “Racial Equity Impact Statement” on all relevant agenda items including, but not limited to, appointments, appropriations, ordinances, legal opinions, policies, procedures and regulations, beginning on Mar 9, 2020.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler

This is pure insanity. While we can all agree that it is a laudable goal to seek racial and socioeconomic equity in many ways, this absurd proposal would require virtually every action undertaken by the City to be evaluated based on "racial equity impact." Apparently Councillors Zondervan, Simmons, and Sobrinho-Wheeler feel that the paving of roads, the purchasing of stationary supplies, decisions of what is or is not legal, where parking meters should or should not be located, what days street cleaning occurs, and pretty much everything else should all be evaluated based on racial criteria. Quite simply, it’s great to have equity-conscious goals, but requiring everything from the construction of a school building to the enforcement of traffic laws to the purchase of pencils to be judged based on race is ridiculous.

Order #6. City Council support for legislation that would allow for the adoption of fees on the transfer of real estate for use in creating new funding for affordable housing trusts, including H.2457, H.2552, and the consensus bill.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons

I am trying to imagine the cumulative impact of all the proposed zoning changes, earmarked revenue streams, and more that this City Council seems intent on permanently establishing. My sense is that all property taxes will grow faster, commercial development will have to accelerate to cover the costs of government largess, and we’ll drive out what is left of middle-income residents other than those who apply to City agencies for their housing.

Bringing in some additional revenue to supplement CPA funds for housing programs seems perfectly reasonable, but I have never been a fan of permanently earmarking funds for any one purpose. – Robert Winters

June 10, 2016

Opening of the First Section of the Grand Junction Path – June 9, 2016

It’s only between Main Street and Broadway so far, but it’s a start!

Cambridge City Councillor and State Representative Tim Toomey

Cambridge City Councillor and State Representative Tim Toomey

Cambridge City Manager Richard Rossi

Cambridge City Manager Richard Rossi

Sarah Gallup, MIT Government and Community Relations

Sarah Gallup, MIT Government and Community Relations

John Sanzone, Friends of the Grand Junction Path

John Sanzone, Friends of the Grand Junction Path

City Councillors Marc McGovern, Jan Devereux, and Tim Toomey and City Manager Rich Rossi

City Councillors Marc McGovern, Jan Devereux, and Tim Toomey and City Manager Rich Rossi

Cutting the Ribbon: Margaret Drury (CRA), Conrad Crawford (CRA), Jan Devereux, Rich Rossi, Tim Toomey, Marc McGovern, Kathy Born (CRA), Tom Evans (CRA Exec. Dir.), Sarah Gallup, Barry Zevin (CRA), Jason Zogg (CRA Program Manager)

Cutting the Ribbon: Margaret Drury (CRA), Conrad Crawford (CRA), Jan Devereux, Rich Rossi, Tim Toomey, Marc McGovern, Kathy Born (CRA), Tom Evans (CRA Exec. Dir.), Sarah Gallup, Barry Zevin (CRA), Jason Zogg (CRA Program Manager)

You can't cut the ribbon without these

You can’t cut the ribbon without these

Michael Owu (MITIMCO) and Anya Bear (MIT Government and Community Relations)

Michael Owu (MITIMCO) and Anya Bear (MIT Government and Community Relations)

The Grand Junction Path after the Grand Opening

The Grand Junction Path after the Grand Opening

The Trains Keep Rollin'

The Trains Keep Rollin’

December 24, 2015

White Squirrel at the Volpe Center in Kendall Square enjoying a Spring day on Christmas Eve

Filed under: Cambridge,Kendall Square — Tags: , — Robert Winters @ 2:28 pm

White Squirrel at Volpe Center
White Squirrel at the Volpe Center in Kendall Square enjoying a Spring day on Christmas Eve

February 13, 2014

MBTA Role in Cambridge Center Project – Kendall Station Urban Initiatives Project, 1979-1989

MBTA Role in Jump-starting Development of the Cambridge Center Project
Kendall Station Urban Initiatives Project, 1979-1989

By Thad Tercyak, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, Associate Director, 1968-1990

The purpose of this narrative is to provide additional information about the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority’s (CRA) Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project and to describe the role of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) in helping to jump-start development of the CRA’s Cambridge Center Project in 1979-1989, a major factor in helping to attract high-tech companies to locate in the East Cambridge industrial area. UMTA provided the MBTA with critical financial assistance made available under President Carter’s Urban Initiatives Program.

Kendall Urban Initiatives Project 1980
KENDALL SQUARE URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT
Urban Initiatives Project – 1980

To understand the Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project, it must be divided into two phases:

Phase 1. 1963-1979. The objective was to transform a 43-acre blighted urban industrial area into vacant land for construction of improvements.
Background. The Kendall Square Urban Redevelopment Project planning activities during Phase 1 included creating, initiating and financing the Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project; preparing an urban renewal plan to accommodate development by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); and, after NASA withdrew from the Project, preparing an entirely new plan for development by private developers; a painful, prolonged and laborious process because Cambridge was unprepared to carry out the difficult and complicated tasks involved in overhauling the original plan with an entirely new plan.

In 1965, when the City of Cambridge approved the CRA’s original Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project, it anticipated that the Project would attract NASA-related private development to replace a blighted industrial area of old, deteriorated and underutilized buildings with a modern, attractive industrial area which would generate tax revenues and jobs. In 1970, when NASA withdrew from the Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project and transferred its interests in the Kendall Square Project to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the feeling in Cambridge was that the project had been delivered a tremendous setback because it lost its major developer; a severe blow to the city’s efforts to expand its economic base.

The 1970-77 period involved two major activities:
(1) The execution of land preparation activities in order to transform a 43-acre industrial slum into vacant land for new construction. The activities required the acquisition of 70 parcels of land, relocation of the Broad Canal to an underground water system, relocation of nearly 100 businesses, demolition of 50 buildings, construction of infrastructure, and formation of new traffic patterns of circulation. Land preparation activities are the "nitty-gritty, heavy-lifting" period of the redevelopment process because most are messy, noisy, a public nuisance and a favorite subject of complaint.

(2) The resolution of planning issues in order to amend the Kendall Square Urban Renewal Plan to designate new reuses for the land. Activities included negotiations between the CRA, DOT, and the U.S. General Services Administration to retrieve the rights to develop 10 acres of vacant land left behind by NASA; and rejection by the Cambridge City Council of four redevelopment plans prepared by a task force comprised of representatives from a cross section of Cambridge organizations working with the CRA.

In 1976, the CRA engaged the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) advisory panel services to review the Kendall Square Project and propose ways to help break the multi-year planning deadlock. Among the "Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations" of the ULI panel:

• Only a few properties in the country have a broader array of locational advantages as the Kendall Square area and the opportunities associated with the Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project: Cambridge Center is a unique opportunity area, one that should be reserved to maximize its locational advantages.

The MBTA’s Kendall Station subway is one of the more spectacular assets affecting the redevelopment potential of the CRA’s Cambridge Center project (emphasis added).

• Attracting developers will not be easy. Citizen concerns, political pressure, economic uncertainty, the absence of a united and strong development process, high taxes, environmental constraints, contentious political climate, and congested surface transportation have combined to create a credibility problem with the real estate development community relative to the City of Cambridge. With few exceptions, the lack of credibility has been a severe restraint to real estate development in Cambridge.

These development problems are such that all but the most determined developer, the one who perceives a very close relationship between locational advantages and development opportunities, will be deterred from coming into the community (emphasis added).

Engaging the ULI greatly helped to break the planning deadlock because the panel’s expertise gained the confidence of the Cambridge City Council and the CRA. The panel advised the CRA to make extraordinary efforts to impress potential developers by efficiently completing site preparations and all major pre-physical development activities. The CRA responded by removing legal and technical impediments to development by completing an Environmental Impact Statement; securing plan and zoning amendments; carrying out a $7-million public improvements program; and implementing traffic circulation plans, such as widening Binney Street to provide direct major access to Memorial Drive.

In 1977, Cambridge City Council approved a mixed-use development plan for the Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project. For marketing purposes the name Cambridge Center was adopted to refer to the 24 acres in the Kendall Square Project Area separate from the land occupied by DOT. In 1978, the CRA invited proposals to develop Cambridge Center, and in 1979, selected Boston Properties as the initial developer.

Phase 2. 1980-Present. The objective was to sell the vacant land created during Phase 1 for private development.
The CRA and Boston Properties executed a Development Agreement which provided that the CRA would sell land to Boston Properties in stages after approval of development plans; and Boston Properties was required to start construction of an office building within seven months of signing the agreement.

Because of the disorderly events of the 1970’s, expectations regarding development of the CRA’s Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project were gloomy. Mortimer Zuckerman, one of the two Boston Properties principals, was aware of the difficulties: "It was a very bleak time when the Kennedy Space Center moved to Texas…There was just a lot of land there" (Woolhouse, "Making a High Tech Mecca", Boston Globe, June 26, 2011)".

The CRA realized that to overcome Cambridge’s credibility problem with the real estate community, it had to establish a reputation for being able to work efficiently and effectively with Boston Properties in stimulating private development of the Cambridge Center Project. The MBTA was about to provide the CRA with the opportunity to establish that reputation.

The MBTA operated three facilities in the Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project area: the Kendall subway station (Kendall Station), bus layover facilities, and a traction power substation. The Kendall Station was old (built in 1912), dilapidated, obsolete, with dimly lighted platforms. The traction power substation was considered to be obsolete and a blighting influence, and its 50′ high fire-damaged brick facade dominated the heavily travelled Main Street eastern entrance to the Kendall Square area.

The MBTA recognized that because of the improvements designated for the CRA’s Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project, the MBTA facilities would have to be modernized. During the mid-1970’s, the MBTA and the CRA staffs met to coordinate plans regarding future reconstruction efforts. It was decided that reconstruction would be integrated with the CRA’s redevelopment activities, and the CRA’s Concept Design Plan for the Kendall Square Project would be used as the standard for urban design amenities.

By coincidence, Jimmy Carter was the U.S President from 1977 to 1981, and his Urban Policy plans included shifting the allocation of federal resources to favor urban areas. Priority was to be given to projects that leveraged the expenditure of federal funds and strong incentives would be awarded to projects engaged in efforts to attract private investments to urban areas. The effort would be called the President’s Urban Initiatives Program.

Kendall Station Urban Initiatives Project
The MBTA determined that its Kendall Station met the qualifications to receive designation as a Urban Initiatives Project because it was already integrating its plans for modernizing the Kendall Station with the CRA’s plans for the Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project, and that the CRA had executed a Development Agreement with Boston Properties to attract private development and investments to the Cambridge Center Project. In its application to UMTA for project approval, the MBTA made the following points:

"The project’s financial assistance will be used to provide Kendall Station improvements in support of a major urban redevelopment effort and to stimulate private investments for urban improvements… The CRA has designated Boston Properties as developer for Cambridge Center and Boston Properties is expected to generate $150 million of private investment over the next 10 years and produce in excess of one-million square feet of office, hotel, retail, and open space. More immediately, Boston Properties is prepared to begin construction in October, 1979, of the first office building (13 stories) involving 250,000 square feet of space and costing approximately $20 million. This initial investment could be followed the next year with a second building of the same magnitude".

UMTA designated the Kendall Station project as an Urban Initiatives Project, agreeing that "the proposal has excellent characteristics for effectively achieving the President’s intentions in calling for an UMTA Urban Initiatives Program". The Kendall Station Urban Initiatives Project involved the CRA, the MBTA, and Boston Properties. It included Parcel 4 of the Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project, a triangular 5-acre site bordered by Main Street, Broadway and Sixth Street around the Kendall Station.

Initially, because of budgetary constraints, the MBTA programmed construction of the Kendall Station improvements for the late-1980’s and called for only a modest renovation of the existing facilities and entrances; and the program for the traction power substation provided only for replacement of electrical equipment, with no provision for replacing and relocating the building. This schedule was of grave concern to the CRA because the Kendall Station, in its present antiquated condition, would have an adverse effect on the initial marketing efforts by Boston Properties to attract private development to the area.

At that time, Boston Properties marketing efforts highlighted the locational advantages of the Kendall Station: (1) The MIT campus was in the immediate neighborhood. (2) Two subway stops easterly from the Kendall Station was downtown Boston, and two subway stops westerly was Harvard University. (3) The MBTA public transit system provided access to virtually the entire Boston Metropolitan Area. (4) The Kendall Station was within easy walking distance of any location within the Cambridge Center Project area. The CRA believed that an efficient and timely transformation of the Kendall Station from old, dilapidated and obsolete to a modern, attractive, and well-designed subway station, and the simultaneous construction of buildings by Boston Properties and public improvements by the CRA could have a dramatic positive effect on Boston Properties’ marketing efforts. Also it could stimulate private development of the vacant land in the rest of Cambridge Center; and might influence the real estate community’s perception of Cambridge’s credibility.

The CRA requested (1) the MBTA reschedule construction of the Kendall Station to start during the early 1980’s, and the proposed station improvements be upgraded to match the CRA’s design standards; and (2) the traction power substation be replaced and relocated so that it could be subsumed within the private development occurring on-site. The MBTA was supportive, but because the MBTA system had operated at a loss during the past five years, it had determined that "no part of the costs associated with the Kendall Station Urban Initiatives Project can be financed from MBTA revenue".

Designation of the Kendall Station modernization plans as an UMTA Urban Initiatives Project also qualified the MBTA for the maximum amount of Federal assistance, making it eligible to receive funding from UMTA. Accordingly, UMTA provided the critical financing the MBTA needed to reschedule construction of the Kendall Station to begin sooner, upgrade design standards, and relocate the new traction power substation.

Then a rare event took place in the City of Cambridge. Two public agencies – the CRA and the MBTA – and a private developer – Boston Properties – initiated meetings to discuss the funding, design and construction details of the Kendall Station Urban Initiatives Project. They entered into a variety of formal and informal arrangements to cooperate in the planning and development around the Kendall Station. Their arrangements extended from land use planning and urban design to land acquisition and transfer policies, construction activities, and the maintenance of public and private improvements. For example:

• The Kendall Station modernization would include lengthening the subway platforms from four cars to six cars, relocating the stations entrances, and upgrading the stations interiors.

• The MBTA’s new traction power substation would be integrated with the improvements planned by the CRA and Boston Properties.

• The CRA’s design standards for the renewal area would be used to plan project improvements related to the Kendall Station reconstruction.

• The CRA was awarded a $5.1-million grant to provide transit-related improvements and urban design amenities, including street and sidewalk improvements, a bus contraflow lane, a Transit Plaza, an urban park at the gateway to the project, and pedestrian connections to nearby neighborhoods.

Urban Initiatives Project Area - 1980

Construction Coordination
A particularly difficult task was the coordination of simultaneous construction activities by the three entities in performing over- lapping construction work within tight, limited areas where the lines of responsibilities were difficult to draw. The parties devised a cost-sharing formula to determine how much of the total cost would be the responsibility of each party if the entire job was performed by a single contractor. A contractor would then be engaged and each party would pay its agreed-upon share of the total contractor cost. For example:

• The MBTA dug a huge excavation across Main Street and abutting vacant land. The excavation was for the expansion and renovation of the Kendall Station (to be constructed by the MBTA); and for an area to provide services to the buildings on Parcel 4 (to be built by Boston Properties). The building service area was to be located under a Transit Plaza (to be built by the CRA) so that it would be out-of-sight.

• The new northerly entrance to the subway (to be built by the MBTA) would abut the Transit Plaza (to be built by the CRA) and include an extended canopy from the wall of an office building (to be built by Boston Properties). The canopy would provide the MBTA patrons with a covered walkway and direct access to a food court (to be built by Boston Properties).

• The three parties collaborated on the location and design of the new traction power substation (to be built by the MBTA) so that a 12-story office building (to be built by Boston Properties) could be constructed on air rights over it.

• As construction was completed by the MBTA and Boston Properties, the CRA was to construct public improvements in the abutting public ways.

The redevelopment of Parcel 4 was a team effort by the CRA, the MBTA, and Boston Properties. The renovations by the MBTA in modernizing the Kendall Station, and by the CRA in constructing public improvements and urban design amenities, created an environment to reinforce Boston Properties’ marketing efforts to attract highly-qualified companies to locate in the Cambridge Center Project.

Kendall Station - Urban Initiatives Project - 1985
KENDALL STATION
Urban Initiatives Project – 1985

Urban Initiatives Project Area - 1985
Urban Initiatives Project Area – 1985
Construction Coordination

Urban Initiatives Project Area - 1989
Urban Initiatives Project Area – 1989

Transit Plaza contributions
The Transit Plaza, named Nowiszewski Plaza, abutted the Kendall Station’s exit/access, and was surrounded by active uses. It included a multicolored paving pattern, and a 75-foot sculptured tower, which also served as an emergency exit for the hotel, ventilation for the building service area under the Plaza, and amphitheater seating. Boston Properties funded the tower and the gold-leaf octahedron adorning its top, and was obliged to operate, maintain, and repair the Transit Plaza.

(NOTE: The Transit Plaza was subsequently modified.)

Urban Initiatives Project - 1989
Urban Initiatives Project – 1989

Pedestrian Circulation
Efforts were made to facilitate pedestrian circulation and activities: 5 Cambridge Center contained Legal Seafood restaurant; 3 Cambridge Center had a food court and MIT Coop store; and 2 Cambridge Center, a hotel abutting the Transit Plaza, had a restaurant, bar, and a public easement through the hotel lobby connecting to a pedestrian way to the surrounding area. The Transit Plaza provided exit/access for the subway, outdoor use of tables and chairs, amphitheater seating, and occasional entertainment programs, fairs and informal performances by free-lancers. Directly east of 1 Cambridge Center was an urban park, "Galaxy at Murphy Park". Also, Boston Properties constructed an elevator-accessible 1-acre public park on the roof of a parking garage. (Note: The garage roof was subsequently modified.)

"Galaxy at Murphy Park"
The eastern gateway to the Kendall Square area at the intersection of Main Street and Broadway, was a triangular site used to construct "Galaxy at Murphy Park". Galaxy was conceived through the successful collaborative efforts of the CRA and the MIT Center for Advanced Visual Studies.

The CRA considered Galaxy to be one of the most attractive features of Cambridge Center.

The centerpiece of Galaxy was an environmental structure which featured a 5-foot-in-diameter "earthsphere" placed in a fountain. Water spray – during the warm months – , or steam – during the cold months – enveloped the sphere to create the appearance of "floating" on clouds. Surrounding the fountain were 12" moon-globes which were perforated in individual patterns. At nighttime, the globes were illuminated from within and its shadows cast light and patterns on the pavement around the globes; and when steam from the earthsphere passed over the globes, rays of light were visible coming through the perforations. Surrounding the fountain were benches for sitting; two rows of trees and shrubs; and grassy open spaces.

Boston Properties was responsible for operating, maintaining and repairing "Galaxy".

Urban Initiatives Project 1989
Urban Initiatives Project 1989

Urban Initiatives Project 1989

National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
In 1990, NAHRO’s Annual Agency Awards of Excellence in Housing and Community Development chose the Kendall Station Urban Initiatives Project for its Administrative Innovation Award. "The Kendall Square Project showed excellent coordination of public and private funding, as well as excellent planning and team work by three major agencies over the 10-year development period. A joint development carried out among two public agencies, the CRA and the MBTA, and a private developer, Boston Properties".

Summary
Although the project was complex, the objectives of the Kendall Station Urban Initiatives Project were achieved:

• The MBTA modernized and expanded the Kendall Station by relocating station entrances, lengthening the station platforms, and renovating the station’s interiors; and constructed a new traction power substation to replace the old, outmoded one.

• Boston Properties marketing operations attracted qualified competent companies to locate within the Urban Initiatives Project area, resulting in the construction of 1.1-million square feet of mixed-used development, including two 12- to 13- story retail, office buildings; a 13-story office building constructed on air rights over the MBTA traction power substation; a 25-story hotel; a 4-story retail, office building; and a 863-car garage with a one-acre open space roof–top garden.

• The CRA constructed public improvements throughout the area: streets and sidewalks, landscaping, Transit Plaza, Galaxy park, and pedestrian walkways.

• UMTA provided the critical financing the MBTA needed to reschedule and upgrade its Kendall Station facilities. UMTA considered the Kendall Station Project to be a successful Urban Initiatives Project because it attracted private investments to the Cambridge urban area, and "a model for other cities on the positive impact that transit accessibility can have on community development".

• The joint public-private cooperative effort helped to create an environment that supported Boston Properties’ marketing operations and provided a jump-start to generate momentum to develop Parcel 4.

In 1979, when the MBTA submitted its application for Kendall Station designation as an Urban Initiatives Project, the CRA’s expectations were that the Cambridge Center Project would be completed in about ten years and produce 1.7-million square feet of mixed-use development and generate $200-million of private investments. Thirty years later, the Cambridge Center Project is in its last phase, and upon completion is projected to have produced 3-million square feet of mixed-uses, and generated about $1-billion of private investments, $15-million of property tax revenues and about 6,000 jobs.

The joint public-private team enterprise in the successful redevelopment of Parcel 4 was a factor in the real estate development community’s apparent re-evaluation of its skepticism about the development climate in the City of Cambridge. Starting in the 1980’s, private investments were made to develop the rest of the Cambridge Center Project, and subsequently a flood of development occurred in the East Cambridge industrial area.

END

P.S.: Robert F. Rowland was the CRA Executive Director in the 1970’s when planning to integrate the CRA’s and MBTA’s urban redevelopment operations in the Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project were initiated, and which resulted in the designation of the Kendall Station as an Urban Initiatives Project.


Thad J. Tercyak Professional Resume
1610 N Pebble Beach Blvd., Sun City Center, FL 33573; Phone (813) 633-5746 (Nov-May)
108 Alden Village Ct., Cary, NC 27519; Phone (919) 460-4526 (June-Oct)
E-Mail: tedtercyak AT cs DOT com

Professional Employment
Cambridge Redevelopment Authority: Associate Director, 1968-1990.
Boston Redevelopment Authority: Project Director, Washington Park and South End urban renewal projects; 1961-1968.
Cuyahoga County Planning Authority (Cleveland, Ohio): Economist, 1957-1960.
Connecticut Development Commission (Adams, Howard & Greeley, City Planning Consultants): Economist, 1956-1957.

Academic
University of Pittsburgh: Master’s Degree, Public Administration, 1961.
University of Connecticut: Master’s Degree, Economics, 1956.
Boston University Metropolitan College: Part-time Instructor, Urban Renewal, 1975-6.

Publications

Cambridge Civic Journal:
"Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project: Six Pivotal Episodes"; June, 2013.
"Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project, Initial Years, 1963 to 1982"; July, 2012.

Urban Land Institute:
"Joint Development at Kendall Square"; April, 1991.
"Marketing Public Land"; February, 1986.
"Cambridge Center Project Design"; April, 1985.
"Panel Revisits: Cambridge Center: Downtown Redevelopment"; February, 1985.

Journal of Housing:
"Project Design: A Cooperative Effort"; September/October, 1984.
"Kendall Square: An Urban Renewal Success"; September/October, 1982.

Urban Land Institute (ULI) , Advisory Services Panelist:
An Evaluation of the Development Potential and Revitalization Strategy for the Silver Triangle Site, Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, 1992.
An Evaluation of Kennedy and LaGuardia Airport Access for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the City of New York, 1991

Professional Resume, summary
Mr. Tercyak’s professional background includes Master’s degrees in Economics and Public Administration; 22 years as Associate Director of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority; 7 years as project director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority’s Washington Park and South End urban renewal projects; 5 years as an economist with city and county planning agencies; and Urban Land Institute advisory services panelist evaluating potential development projects for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and for downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. Several articles published in the Cambridge Civic Journal, Urban Land Institute Magazine and Journal of Housing. Part-time instructor, Community Development, Boston University Metropolitan College.

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