Updates

On March 12, 2021, the developers posted a revised plan on their website: a 48-unit building of 9 stories on Mass Ave and Walden St, with the rear third dropping to 5 stories farther along Walden.  (According to the developers:  The length in feet of the proposed building on Mass Ave is 74’-9”, the length of the 9 story portion of the building along Walden Street is 74’-4”, and the length of the 5 story section of the proposed building along Walden Street is 40’-3”.) The building’s reduction by 1 unit and 1 partial story did not satisfy the concerns of the community as expressed in the NWN petition.

At a May 4 meeting–without permitting discussion or public comment–the Cambridge Planning Board recommended the developers’ revised project on the basis of no significant change to the original proposal that had been recommended previously by the PB.

On May 20, the Board of Zoning Appeal heard the developers’ presentation of their 9/5-story proposal and comments for and against the revised project by the public.  The BZA again did not vote approval of the proposal, asking for a further reduction in height of the building (meeting video here, press report here). The next hearing on a new proposal by the developers was scheduled for Sept. 9.

During their May 27 meeting (with no comments from the public), the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust, upon a recommendation from a City “Project Review Committee” (see May 27 memo), approved a request by the developers for an additional $1.27 million in “predevelopment” funds for the project. This money was in addition to the $3.6 million that CAHT had provided to the developers in 2018 to buy the building site plus $200,000 for initial predevelopment.

On August 13, the developers posted the message below regarding their project’s third Board of Zoning Appeal hearing (scheduled for Sept. 9):
Since the BZA hearing in May 2021, it has come to our attention that there are process questions that will impact the plans and timing of our next steps for the 2072 Mass Ave project. For that reason we are currently still evaluating the best way to proceed. Please note that before revised plans are submitted to the BZA, the community will be given ample time to review, as promised. Once we are able to determine next steps and what that means for the project we will update the community via email and the 2072 project website.

On August 24, the video Designing Affordable Communities, which focuses on the proposed 2072 Mass Ave project, was released.

On August 27, in a letter to the BZA the developers formally withdrew their application for a 40B Comprehensive Permit to build their proposed project at 2072 Mass Ave, stating their resolve to develop this site in the future (details here).

On Sept. 9, 2021, at 6 p.m., Chair Constantine Alexander called the scheduled BZA meeting to order with a quorum of four members in attendance. When asked, the lawyer representing the developers confirmed the withdrawal request letter she had written to the BZA. Without taking comments from the public, the BZA voted 4-0 to grant the developers’ withdrawal request, and the meeting was concluded at 6:08.

The c. 1900-page BZA case file of the 2072 Mass Ave project can be accessed here. The file contains developer proposals; community alternative proposals, comments, and petitions; City meeting (conducted via Zoom) transcripts.

Actions

Here are actions you can take:

  • See the Fact Sheet for details and chronology of the developers’ proposed project.
  • View the Video.
  • Read the Publications.
  • Observe the Walden St/Mass Ave intersection, especially during peak commute times, to assess how appropriate the location is for housing 150-200 residents.
  • Encourage concerned Cambridge residents to Sign the Petition.
  • Publicize this NWN website.

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