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Community Development > Mass Ave Planning Study - Cambridge Common to Alewife Brook Parkway
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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 Collaboration Map!

The Mass Ave Planning Study team has created an online mapping tool for anyone to provide their input and feedback on the part of Mass Ave within our study area. You can point out areas you love, places that need improvement, and opportunities for change. The mapping tool will help the planning team uncover pressing issues and gather ideas for the planning study.

You can also submit comments via our feedback form. We take all forms of feedback into consideration. Please take a moment and explore the map!

Submit Feedback Start Mapping!

Community Engagement

Upcoming Meetings:

Community Meeting -  Ideas for North Mass Ave - November 14, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

We will be hosting an in-person community open house about ideas for North Mass Ave between Porter Square and Alewife Brook Pkwy. Join us on November 14, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Lesley University Hall, 1815 Mass Ave. This will be the second community meeting looking at North Mass Ave.

The Community Development Department (CDD) will be sharing a draft vision and potential ideas for the planning area. The meeting will explore how to:

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

Stop by anytime to provide your feedback on these ideas for the future of Mass Ave! Can’t make the meeting? Provide your feedback on our online crowdsource map, or visit our website for more ways to get involved!

Location: Second-floor atrium of Lesley University Hall at 1815 Massachusetts Ave. Snacks and beverages will be served!

 

What's Next for the Mass Ave Planning Study?

A Spotlight on Porter Square

Starting this winter, we will place a spotlight on Porter Square to discuss how it will change in the future. We will dig into zoning, urban design, open space and housing in greater detail with the community.

This is the commercial center of the study area, and we're excited to hear what folks are thinking! Following these discussions, we will begin to draft zoning recommendations for the Mass Ave corridor and present final plan recommendations this winter.

Check back in on our website for future project updates and meeting schedules.

 

Meeting Materials

Working Group Meetings

  • 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

  • MAPS Community Meeting 5 (North Mass Ave) 09/26/24 presentation
  • MAPS Community Meeting 5 (North Mass Ave) 09/26/24 video and chat
  • MAPS Community Meeting 4 (South of Porter) 07/25/24 presentation
  • MAPS Community Meeting 4 (South of Porter) 07/25/24 video
  • MAPS Community Meeting 3 (South of Porter) 05/29/24 meeting boards
  • MAPS Community Meeting 2 (South of Porter) 03/27/24 presentation
  • MAPS Community Meeting 1 02/29/24 video and transcript
  • MAPS Community Meeting 1 02/29/24 presentation

 

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. 

map with streets and colored lines

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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