November 30, 2024
Greetings Fellow Cantabrigians,
Last Sunday I returned from the National League of Cities (NLC; https://www.nlc.org/]) Conference in Tampa, FL, where I was reminded that many of the challenges we face in Cambridge are shared across the country. Hearing from other municipal leaders was very helpful.
I walked Tampa’s riverfront daily, appreciating how their city planning had capitalized on this beautiful natural resource, their harbor and their history.
Tampa’s waterfront made me think about our own—the Charles River and how we can build more appreciation for this valuable resource. We also have a long, interesting history, extraordinary universities, thought leaders, a diverse population, old and varied architecture and tree-lined avenues.
We must not lose sight of these strengths. They should define our narrative and future planning. We can grow without tearing down the city. We can expand while not jeopardizing what we love about Cambridge: its history, character and neighborhoods.
Takeaways:
Housing:
- While development has slowed in Cambridge and the Greater Boston area, tremendous growth is happening elsewhere, including in Tampa, FL (where construction costs are about half); Columbus, OH; and Colorado Springs, CO. It’s time we do an economic analysis of existing regulations and their impact on development.
- WELL is a community certification for sustainable developments that are healthy for humans with access to open space, healthy foods, programmed fitness and recreation, and noise, air and water quality controls.[link: https://www.wellcertified.com/ and https://resources.wellcertified.com/press-releases/water-street-tampa-becomes-first-well-certified-community-in-north-america/] Cambridge and its partners have been national leaders in building affordable housing at community scale. We should build on this legacy.
- In some communities, older office buildings (with window openings and layouts more conducive to conversions) are being converted into housing. We should explore this further.
- In Wilmington, DE, Jump Start helps property owners develop their own properties, by providing instruction in funding, identifying real estate opportunities and permitting, and then providing mentoring from developers. [https://jumpstartwilmington.org/] We should consider developing our own program that helps property owners build on existing housing stock and to create accessory dwelling units.
Homelessness and Substance Abuse:
- These are national problems. Where there is affluence and a high cost of living, there is homelessness. A highlight of the conference was hearing Gregg Colburn speak. He is the co-author of Homelessness is a Housing Problem. [https://homelessnesshousingproblem.com/] Unhoused residents and homeless service providers shared experiences at the October 23 Human Services & Veterans Committee meeting. We need to do better and get fentanyl off our streets.
Arts:
- The NLC have initiated an Arts for Everybody pilot [https://www.artsforeverybody.org/] that uses the arts to build community and promote public health. I was surprised to learn that in Cambridge we dedicate only $1.8m of our $1b budget to the arts (and this includes celebrations). The arts promote public health and civic unity while serving as the highest expression of our humanity.
AI:
- AI will be used more and more in city government to do risk assessment, priority budgeting, develop policies, and guidelines and create engagement plans. Using AI will require guiding policies, reliable data and human oversight. Concerns: dirty data, bias and privacy.
Our Charter:
- Most councillors I met recommended three- or four-year terms and said that two-year terms were not long enough to advance initiatives. New Haven just moved to four-year council terms.
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Business at Home
Last week, the Council met about the Multifamily Housing (MFH) proposal, our budget and flexible parking. The Ordinance Committee meeting passed three amendments to the Zoning ordinance, the PTDM ordinance and the Commercial Parking Space Permits ordinance that will open up parking lot spaces to help replace the 800-900 on-street parking places lost to bike lanes. We hope to have this essential new parking in place by early 2025.
Over the next months, we will be refining the MFH proposal. Ordinance Committee meetings to discuss it are scheduled for December 4 & 19 and January 16; the Council will vote on it February 10. For more information about this and your opportunity to participate, see:
The CDD has just produced a list of frequently asked questions and answers about MFH here: https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/CDD/ZoningDevel/Amendments/2024/multifamilyhousing/multifamily_zoning_faq_20241127.pdf. Take a look.
The City recently shared public inter-jurisdictional transportation updates. (requested by the late Councillor Joan Pickett). [See: https://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=4583&MediaPosition=&ID=26157&CssClass=] Many prospective projects contingent upon federal funding. It is paramount that the City work closely with the MBTA, DCR and MassDOT to advance public transportation projects.Thankfully, City staff will soon meet quarterly with each of these agencies.
Over the past weeks, I’ve attended the opening of 35 Harvey St. (a Homeowners Rehab project creating ten single room occupancy units in an old boarding house), the opening of Binney Street Park (the “pork chop” in E. Cambridge), a ribbon cutting for Mt. Auburn Hospital’s new emergency room, the Chamber of Commerce Visionary Awards & Gala, an event celebrating Native American Heritage Month and the 150th Birthday Celebration of Engine 5 Firehouse. It is amazing what we accomplish here.
As part of my work as Councillor, I’ve also attended meetings about Rise Up Cambridge, Linear Park, the Cambridge Community Center’s resiliency hub, East End House, See Click Fix, Universal Preschool and our local businesses as well as worked on constituent concerns about dangerous intersections, public safety, parking and trees.
The job of City Councillor is fascinating and never ending and I am proud to serve you. Please reach out with your concerns and forward this email to others who might find it useful. To join the list, have folks email me at czusy@cambridgema.gov.
Thankful for you!
Cathie
P.S. Consider shopping locally for the holidays! [link: https://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/News/2024/10/shopatcambridgesmallbusinessesthisholidayseason]