Council Updates, Major Traffic Disruption, Cambridge Porchfest, and More

All:

Even though there are no regular Council meetings in July, nothing seems to slow down. I have been working on a range of issues this summer, including monitoring and fighting back on the impacts of the federal government on our City and our educational institutions. The City has signed on to a range of lawsuits, and we are doing everything we can to protect residents and prevent already allocated federal funding from being withdrawn. We are working to maintain existing services and protect residents from unlawful actions of federal agencies like ICE through our Welcoming City Ordinance. With a rapidly changing landscape, staying vigilant is essential.

I am also focused on uniquely local issues and have been working through a checklist of items including support for pending home rule petitions on our City charter and automated parking enforcement, working towards better hiring practices for election poll workers, and quality of life issues like park construction as well as issues with litter, needles, and other refuse in our public spaces. All of these issues fit together in terms of improving government function and quality of life for all residents – and summer is the perfect time to emphasize this work, while regular Council meetings are on recess.

One important issue with citywide implications that has come into view the last few weeks is the structural concerns at 221 Mount Auburn Street (Riverview Condominium Building). The City Council will hold a Special Meeting on July 23 at 2:00pm. The City held a community meeting on July 10 to share information and answer questions. There will be major traffic disruption as a result, per this map of the changes. There will be a virtual community meeting on July 24 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm as well. Learn more and register for the meeting here. As background, in 2023, structural deficiencies were identified in the nine-story building at the Riverview Condominiums. During exploratory work for roof and drainage repairs, engineers discovered that the building was not built as originally designed. All residents moved out of the building at the end of 2024. After evaluating various repair options, the Condo Association concluded that fixing the building is not feasible or rational given the expense and risk, and the building will need to be taken down. The City is working closely with the Condo Association on reviewing the situation and planning for demolition of the nine-story building. Sections of Mount Auburn Street and Sparks Street will be closed beginning tomorrow, Saturday, July 19. Learn more about 221 Mount Auburn Street and sign up for email notifications to receive important updates and demolition progress at www.cambridgema.gov/221mtauburnst. The City has reached out directly to residents within the closure area and has met with many local residents. Local abutters are encouraged to contact the City to set up a meeting and I have been working to facilitate as many of those meetings as possible.

Summer is here, with yet another heat wave this week. The City has publicly available resources to help folks stay cool and safe during extreme heat. In addition, the recently launched initiative of our Sustainability Department, Sustainable Cambridge, has published a comprehensive list of resources and guides to dealing with growing heat concerns. I also get a text when the utilities are seeking help to reduce demand to ensure that they can meet the demand without using more costly and more polluting forms of energy production. Sign up for a #ShavethePeak alert.

And a plea: We Need More Tree Stewards! Throughout the summer, street trees need our help. Become a Forest Friend and adopt a tree near your home, business, or school and help water it throughout the summer. Almost no street trees have been adopted by residents – let’s change that.  Our trees make our neighborhoods more beautiful, shade our parks and walkways, and clean our air and water. The urban forest is also an essential resource when it comes to fighting climate change. The primary goal of the Forest Friend program is to help new trees become established so they can provide benefits to our communities for generations. I have adopted the tree in front of my home and water it regularly. A few gallons a week can make decades worth of difference.

The Cambridge Dance Party last month was a great success and I had a blast in Central Square. Summer programming is a great way to bring people together and enliven and build community. 

I, like so many others, have a blast enjoying Porchfest Somerville (and Watertown, Brookline, etc.). So much so that I led the effort to start one in Cambridge – and I’m thrilled that we’re launching our own pilot porchfest event this weekend! It’s a wonderful way to connect with community and the arts. I am so excited for the first Cambridge Porchfest. For this first year pilot program, Cambridge Porchfest will happen over two days on July 19 and July 20. On Saturday, Porchfest performances will take place in Cambridgeport through a partnership with the Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association. On Sunday, July 20, Porchfest performances will take place around Central Square along Mass Ave via a partnership with the Central Square BID. Assuming it goes well, the hope and plan is to expand Porchfest to additional Cambridge neighborhoods in 2026.

Summer in Cambridge can be a really invigorating time with many great events. Cambridge has loads of fun events for all ages all summer long – keep an eye out for great events and enjoy! I’m sure I’ll see many of you out and about.

If you have questions or comments on anything mentioned here, or anything else, please feel free to reach out at any time.

Patty