That the City Manager is requested to meet with the leadership of the Harvard Square Business Association to discuss the proposal and to take the necessary steps to facilitate the release of $72,000 to fund the RFP development for the tunnel engineering study

O-1 FIRST IN COUNCIL May 12, 2025 City of Cambridge MAYOR SIMMONS COUNCILLOR TONER VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI WHEREAS: Harvard Square is one of Cambridge’s most vital commercial districts, and ensuring its long-term economic vitality is critical to the overall health of the City; and WHEREAS: The Harvard Square Business Association (HSBA) has put forward a proposal to explore the feasibility of transforming the long-abandoned MBTA tunnel in Harvard Square into a revitalized commercial or cultural space, modeled on successful initiatives in other urban centers; and WHEREAS: This concept represents a serious effort by community stakeholders to explore creative strategies for keeping Harvard Square competitive, vibrant, and economically sustainable; and WHEREAS: The HSBA is seeking a targeted, limited investment of $72,000 to support the drafting and release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit qualified engineering firms capable of assessing the viability of reactivating the tunnel space for future development; and WHEREAS: This initial investment would help fund the first step—an engineering feasibility study—and would provide essential data to help the City, the MBTA, and Harvard Square stakeholders make informed decisions about the prospects for this potential project; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to meet with the leadership of the Harvard Square Business Association to discuss the proposal and to take the necessary steps to facilitate the release of $72,000 to fund the RFP development for the tunnel engineering study; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Manager report back to the City Council in a timely manner on progress toward supporting this initiative and next steps in coordination with HSBA and relevant agencies.