I’ve emailed you frequently over the last few months, asking you to join ABC in our efforts to support the proposed Mass & Main mixed-income residential district in Central Square, and to hold the developer accountable for making 20% of the housing units affordable to low- and middle-income Cambridge families.

Thanks to your support, in March the developer announced they would meet the 20% threshold called for by ABC. As a result, this development  will bring 47 new and much-needed units of affordable housing for low- and middle-income families in the heart of Central Square. No other proposal near Mass Ave. and Main Street contemplates nearly as many affordable family housing units, at a time when increasing the affordable housing supply is a shared community goal in Cambridge.

After the City Council Ordinance Committee approved the Mass & Main zoning earlier this month, we’re now in the final stretch with key City Council and Planning board meetings coming up this week.

We need you to take action right away to help make this important mixed-income housing development a reality:

• Speak in support at the City Council and Planning Board meetings this week:

• City Council: Monday, 4/27 at 5:30 P.M. in the Sullivan Chambers at City Hall
  • Sign up ahead of time by calling the City Council office starting Monday at 9:00am - 617-349-4280

• Planning Board: Tuesday, 4/28 at 7:00 P.M. at City Hall Annex - 344 Broadway, 2nd Floor

• Email letters of support to the City Council and Planning Board in advance of their meetings:

• Reach Mayor Maher and the other city councilors at [email protected] or send individual messages using emails listed on the City’s website
  • Send a copy to [email protected] to ensure your comments are included in the public record

• Reach Planning Board Chairman Cohen and the other members by emailing [email protected] who will pass your message along to the members and include it in the public record.

Need more information?

• Read previous ABC action alerts on the Mass & Main zoning, including a list of additional community benefits resulting from the proposal: http://www.abettercambridge.org/tags/mass_main

• Read ABC's recent statement on housing production in Cambridge which outlined the need to create 8,500 new housing units near public transportation to meet the growing demand for affordable housing at all income levels: http://www.abettercambridge.org/abc_housing_statement