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Mass Ave Planning Study - Cambridge Common to Alewife Brook Parkway

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The Mass Ave Planning Study (MAPS), spearheaded by the Cambridge Community Development Department, is creating a vision plan for what Massachusetts Avenue will look like in 2040 between Alewife Brook Parkway and Cambridge Common. 

This plan is part of the implementation of Envision Cambridge, the City's comprehensive plan. It will study various aspects such as land use, zoning, urban design, housing, climate resiliency, small business support, mobility, and public space.

The team will work with the community to develop a shared vision to shape future development types and scales, and lead an engagement process to capture all the voices that call this part of Mass Ave home.

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Latest Updates

Mass Ave Planning Study - North Mass Ave Draft Ideas 

In case you missed our community open house on November 14, don't worry! There's still time to provide input via our ideas survey.

The following draft ideas focus on the North Mass Ave planning area and were shared with community members at a community meeting on Thursday, November 14 at Lesley University (1815 Massachusetts Ave). Using the online form, you can participate and share your thoughts and feedback in a similar format as the in-person event.
 
Please answer a few questions to help us understand who is participating and then explore the potential ideas for North Mass Ave!

You can submit comments via our feedback form. Please take a moment and explore the ideas for North Mass Ave!

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Community Engagement

Upcoming Meetings

MAPS Community Meeting - Final Planning Study Recommendations - April 10, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Join us for a community gathering to share the final recommendations of the Mass Ave Planning Study on Thursday, April 10, 5 p.m. - 7p.m. at the Lunder Arts Center, Lesley University, 1801 Mass Ave.

After many Working Group and community meetings, focus groups, business interviews, thousands of survey responses and countless conversations with community members, we're excited to share the work. 

This meeting will present the suite of recommendations developed with the community over the course of the sixteen-month planning process. The Community Development department will be sharing ideas that will help to:

  • Make Mass Ave more beautiful
  • Produce more housing
  • Provide more neighborhood amenities
  • Support small businesses
  • Improve sidewalks and walkability

Stop by anytime to talk with the planning team and neighbors about the future of Mass Ave! Can't make the meeting? Visit our website for more project information and ways to get involved. www.cambridgema.gov/massaveplan

Snacks and beverages will be served! 

Recent Meetings

MAPS Working Group Meeting - Zoning Recommendations - March 13, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

CDD's Zoning & Development Division reviewed zoning recommendations for the study area with the MAPS Working Group. Issues such as building height, use, density, and dimensional and design standards were discussed. 

To review the meeting presentation and video recording, please visit the Meeting Materials section below. This meeting was held virtually via Zoom.

 

Meeting Materials

Working Group Meetings

  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 9 (MAPS Zoning Recommendations) 03/13/25 presentation
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 9 (MAPS Zoning Recommendations) 03/13/25 video
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 8 (North Mass Ave + Porter Square Final Recommendations) 02/26/24 presentation
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 8 (North Mass Ave + Porter Square Final Recommendations) 02/26/24 video
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 7 (Zoning - NMA and South of Porter) 12/11/24 presentation
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 7 (Zoning - NMA and South of Porter) 12/11/24 video
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 6 (North Mass Ave) 10/30/24 presentation 
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 6 (North Mass Ave) 10/30/24 video
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 5 (North Mass Ave) 10/11/24 presentation and meeting minutes
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 4 (South of Porter) 06/27/24 presentation
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 4 (South of Porter) 06/27/24 video
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 3 (South of Porter) 04/24/24 presentation
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 2 (South of Porter) 03/14/24 video
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 2 (South of Porter) 03/14/24 presentation
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 1 02/08/24 video
  • MAPS Working Group - Meeting 1 02/08/24 presentation

Community Meetings

 

Working Project Schedule

Study Area

The Study Area for the Mass Ave Planning Study stretches from the Cambridge Common to Alewife Brook Parkway, two miles of Mass Ave. 

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Key Resources

Local and Area Plans

Citywide Plans

Links to Neighborhood Planning

Mass Ave Planning Study Working Group

For a more complete description of the working group and its members please reference the City Council packet from January 22, 2024 (page 88)

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