Search â–¸ Agenda item attachment
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to recommendations of the Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) for FY2026
September 15, 2025
FY26 Project
Recommendations
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT COMMITTEE
CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
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Table of Contents
Community Preservation Act: History & Overview ....................................................................................................1
CPA Committee Process .............................................................................................................................................2
CPA Fund Allocations & Appropriations: FY02-25 Summary......................................................................................3
Affordable Housing .................................................................................................................................................4
Historic Preservation ..............................................................................................................................................5
Open Space .............................................................................................................................................................6
FY26 Project Requests ................................................................................................................................................8
Overview & Eligibility..............................................................................................................................................8
Affordable Housing .................................................................................................................................................9
Continued Need ..................................................................................................................................................9
Recent Highlights - CPA-funded Affordable Housing ...................................................................................... 10
Current Developments .................................................................................................................................... 11
Upcoming New Developments ........................................................................................................................ 14
HomeBridge: Homebuyer Assistance Program ............................................................................................... 15
Historic Preservation ........................................................................................................................................... 16
Backstage Theatrical Accessibility Improvement Project ................................................................................ 17
Cannon Carriage Replacements ...................................................................................................................... 17
City Hall Vestibule Improvements ................................................................................................................... 18
Declaration of Independence Document Conservation .................................................................................. 18
Golf Course Clubhouse Foundation and Envelope .......................................................................................... 19
Historic Markers Project Manager .................................................................................................................. 20
Legislative Records Preservation ..................................................................................................................... 20
Preservation Grants ......................................................................................................................................... 21
Recorded Media Preservation ......................................................................................................................... 22
Slide Archive Preservation ............................................................................................................................... 22
Stony Brook Reservoir Barn ............................................................................................................................. 22
Sullivan Chamber Improvements .................................................................................................................... 23
Washington Elm Marker .................................................................................................................................. 23
Open Space .......................................................................................................................................................... 24
Alewife Trail Design and Signage Planning ...................................................................................................... 25
Danehy Park Improvements Plan (multi year plan) ........................................................................................ 25
Fresh Pond Golf Course – Environmental Work (Soil Health) ......................................................................... 26
Lynch Family Skatepark Improvements ........................................................................................................... 26
Maher Community Garden – Fence Rehabilitation ......................................................................................... 27
Rafferty Park .................................................................................................................................................... 27
Re-establishing Native Species & Supporting Tree Care at Hell’s Half Acre .................................................... 28
Wilder-Lee Park ............................................................................................................................................... 28
Appendix A: Public Comment Summary ............................................................................................................. 29
Appendix B: CPA Fund Allocations & Appropriations FY02-25 Detail ................................................................. 31
Affordable Housing .......................................................................................................................................... 31
Historic Preservation Projects Supported by CPA Funds ................................................................................. 34
Open Space ...................................................................................................................................................... 45
Appendix C: CPA Reserve Fund Allocations ......................................................................................................... 48
Appendix D: Non-CPA Open Space Funding ........................................................................................................ 50
1
Community Preservation Act: History & Overview
The Community Preservation Act (CPA) was created in 2000 by state law (G.L. c. 44B) to help cities and
towns preserve the character of their communities. In 2001, Cambridge residents voted to adopt the
CPA locally, which allowed the City to implement a 3% surcharge on Property Tax bills (with certain
residential exemptions) to fund affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space initiatives.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides matching funds in addition to those raised locally by the
surcharge. The percentage of the state match varies from year to year, depending on two factors: the
amount of fees paid at Registries of Deeds throughout the state, and the number of communities that
have adopted the CPA locally (thereby receiving a share of the state match). In 2019, state legislation
raised the registry fees that support the state match, increasing funds provided to Cambridge. While
registry fees have declined recently due to economic uncertainty, in the past, the legislature has
provided supplementary funding to ensure communities continue to receive a percentage of matching
funds. CPA revenues are maintained in a dedicated City account – the CPA Fund.
Each year, the City is required to spend at least 10% of its annual CPA revenues on each CPA category –
affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space. The remaining percentage can be used
towards any of the three funding categories. In July 2012, the state statute was amended to allow
greater flexibility in the use of CPA open space funds. Open space funds may also go toward active and
passive recreational uses such as parks, playgrounds, community gardens and athletic fields.
The CPA process is overseen by the Community Preservation Act Committee. The Committee is a nine-
member public body, responsible for evaluating the City’s community preservation needs. The
Committee receives input from the public and city staff and makes funding recommendations to the City
Manager and City Council.
Funding provided for:
• Affordable Housing
• Historic Preservation
• Open Space
2
CPA Committee Process
Each year, the CPA Committee holds a series of public meetings on potential projects and the
percentage of funds that should be dedicated to each CPA category. The CPA Committee meetings to
consider CPA funding for FY26 were as follows:
•
FY26 Organizing Meeting – June 4, 2025
The Committee met to set its schedule, discuss CPA background and process, review the
FY26 funding estimate, and transfer available balances to the appropriate reserve fund.
•
Hearing on FY26 Project Recommendations – July 28, 2025
The Committee received project recommendations from the public and City staff.
•
Hearing on FY26 Allocation Percentages – August 20, 2025
The Committee received input on the funding allocation percentages for affordable
housing, historic preservation, and open space.
•
FY26 Project and Allocation Vote Meeting – September 3, 2025
The Committee voted to recommend the funding allocation percentages and certain
projects for FY26 CPA funding.
The CPA Committee’s recommendations are presented, through the City Manager, to the City Council
for consideration at the September 15, 2025 City Council Meeting.
3
CPA Fund Allocations & Appropriations: FY02-25 Summary
In each fiscal year, CPA funds are appropriated and allocated from three distinct sources: (1) CPA Local
Funds generated by the 3% Property Tax bill surcharge; (2) State Match revenues generated by the
Commonwealth’s matching funds; and (3) the CPA Fund Balance, made up of monies in the CPA Fund
not appropriated in earlier fiscal years.
A percentage of the funds from each source is in turn dedicated to one of three CPA funding
categories: Affordable Housing, Historic Preservation or Open Space. Each category must receive at
least 10% of the CPA funds each year. Funds dedicated to Affordable Housing are transferred to the
Affordable Housing Trust, while funds dedicated to Historic Preservation and Open Space typically go
toward specific projects. A summary of the allocations and appropriations from each funding source,
and to each funding category, is below.
CPA Fund Allocations and Appropriations by Source: FY02-FY25
FY02-25
Local Funds
FY02-25
State Match
CPA Fund
Balance
FY02-25 Total
Amount
Allocated/
Appropriated
All Sources
Affordable
Housing
$151,560,000
$55,788,000
$34,196,000
$241,554,000
Historic
Preservation
$18,945,000
$6,973,500
$4,149,500
$30,068,000
Open Space
$18,945,000
$6,973,500
$4,149,500
$30,068,000
Total:
$189,450,000
$69,735,000
$42,495,000
$301,690,000
Anticipated FY26 CPA Appropriations and Allocations
$22,515,000
Local
State Match
CPA Fund
Balance
$19,700,000
$2,800,000
$15,000*
*$15,000 appropriation for Community Preservation Coalition membership
4
Affordable Housing
Funds dedicated to Affordable Housing initiatives are typically transferred to the Affordable Housing
Trust rather than being allocated to a particular project by the CPA Committee. The Trust leverages its
expertise to direct CPA funds to a variety of critical affordable housing initiatives throughout the City.
Affordable Housing Trust
CPA Fund Allocations & Appropriations FY02-FY25
$241,544,000*
CPA Funded Affordable Housing Initiatives
Preservation of Affordable Housing
1,622 units
Acquisition/Creation of Rental Units
1,002 units
First-Time Homebuyer Units
214 units
Total
2,888 units
*Includes $1,000,000 appropriated to the City of Cambridge COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program in FY20.
Maximizing Affordable Housing Support
CPA funds provide more than a one-time direct appropriation; CPA funds committed to affordable
housing have leveraged more than $600 million from other public and private sources in FY02-25.
CPA funds are a critical source of funding for the Affordable Housing Trust. As part of the FY26 budget,
the City has also allocated $24,645,750 to the Affordable Housing Trust to support the development
and preservation of affordable housing. These funds will supplement FY26 Community Preservation Act
(CPA) funds. Through these combined sources, if 80% of CPA funds are allocated to the Affordable
Housing Trust in FY26, the City will provide over $48.6 million in direct financial support for the
Affordable Housing Trust in FY26.
Non-CPA City Support for Affordable Housing Trust
Building Permit Revenue Allocation (FY18-FY26*)
$62,768,788
General Fund Revenue Allocation (FY20-FY26)
$82,200,000
Short-Term Rental Community Impact Fee (FY22-FY26)
$1,242,000
Free Cash (FY20)**
$15,000,000
Total
$161,210,788
* The City’s Operating and Capital Budgets for FY26 were adopted on June 2, 2025.
** One-time appropriation in March 2020 funding preservation of Fresh Pond Apts.
5
Historic Preservation
The Historical Commission oversees historic preservation efforts in the City and works to preserve the
integrity of Cambridge’s varied historical resources. Preservation efforts have included restoring
significant buildings; conserving historic monuments and cemeteries, and landscapes; and digitizing
and preserving Cambridge-focused archival collections.
Historic Preservation
CPA Fund Allocations & Appropriations FY02-FY25
$30,068,000
Preservation Grants
A large portion of CPA funding for historic preservation is distributed through the Historical
Commission’s Preservation Grants program. Grants are available in two categories: Affordable Housing
Preservation Grants and Institutional (Non-profit) Preservation Grants.
The Historical Commission has made preservation grants available to affordable housing agencies and
income-eligible homeowners since 1975, initially using Community Development Block Grants. After
CPA funds became available in 2003, the Commission began offering grants to non-profit owners of
significant buildings.
114 Affordable Housing Preservation Grants totaling $5.045 million have been awarded since FY03;
111 projects have been completed and 4 are cleared to proceed, under construction, or paid in part.
168 Institutional Preservation Grants totaling more than $10.0 million have been awarded to 78
different non-profit organizations since FY05; 159 projects have been completed and 9 are cleared to
proceed, under construction, or paid in part. Recent preservation grants include:
•
Real Colegio Complutense, 26 Trowbridge Street. $50,000 to restore/repair roof and siding.
The two-story Mansard-roofed building was originally a single-family home.
•
St. Augustine’s African Orthodox Church, 147 Allston Street. $50,000 to install accessible
entry ramp. Originally built in 1886 as an Episcopal mission, the building was purchased by
St. Augustine’s in the 1930s and served as the cathedral of Bishop George McGuire, the
founder and head of the African Orthodox denomination. The church is a designated City
Landmark. The FY2025 grant is part of the Commission ongoing efforts to support this
significant structure.
•
Historic New England, 21 Linnaean Street. $100,000 to repair/restore the carriage barn at
the Cooper-Frost-Austin House. The house is documented to 1681, making it the oldest
extant dwelling in Cambridge.
•
Union Baptist Church, 782 Main Street. $30,000 to repair/restore roof. The Historical
Commission’s has supported preservation of this historically Black church with several
previous grants.
6
Open Space
Cambridge has a variety of public open spaces, from its major natural resource areas such as the
Charles River, Alewife Brook, and Fresh Pond Reservation, to the neighborhood parks and playgrounds
embedded across the City. CPA funds have been used to increase the amount of open space – by
acquiring land or converting property – and to improve existing open space resources. Efforts have
included playground redevelopment and watershed protection.
Open Space
CPA Fund Allocations & Appropriations FY02-FY25
$30,068,000
Many open space improvements in Cambridge are realized through larger capital development. Open
space projects are therefore regularly funded through revenue sources other than CPA funds, including
Property Taxes, Water Service Charges, Free Cash, and Bond Proceeds. From FY2011 through FY2025,
open space projects received $114,833,250 in funding from non-CPA Fund sources.
7
Recent CPA-funded projects include:
Watershed Land Acquisition
Inman Square Firehouse
116 Norfolk St.
8
FY26 Project Requests
Overview & Eligibility
The CPA Committee received several requests for FY26 funding. Project requests and related public
comment were submitted in various ways: through a project application form, at public meetings, via
email and over the phone. Requests came from city staff, non-profit organizations, and individual
members of the public. Summaries of FY26 project requests considered by the CPA Committee are
presented by funding category.
What Projects are Eligible for CPA Funding?
State law directs, and restricts, the ways in which CPA funds
may be spent. Within each CPA category, there are certain
eligibility requirements. Funds can be used for the following
projects, by category:
Affordable Housing
•
Acquire
•
Create
•
Preserve
•
Support
•
Rehabilitate/Restore
Historic Preservation
•
Acquire
•
Preserve
•
Rehabilitate/Restore
Open Space
•
Acquire
•
Create
•
Preserve
•
Rehabilitate/Restore
o
For open space acquired or created with CPA funds.
o
For capital improvements to certain recreational
facilities.
9
Affordable Housing
Because CPA funds for affordable housing are typically appropriated directly to the Affordable Housing
Trust rather than to specific housing initiatives, this section includes current statistics related to
housing affordability to inform the CPA Committee’s recommendations. There is also information on
projects that have received funds from the Trust in the past, as well as future projects that may receive
funding.
Continued Need
Affordability Restrictions & Waiting Lists
Current Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) waiting list:
• The CHA has over 14,000 distinct households on its waiting list. More than 7,000 of these
households indicate that they currently live or work in Cambridge or are veterans.
Current Housing Department applicant pools:
• Rental Housing – The Housing Department’s Rental Applicant Pool has more than 4,300
applicants for affordable rental housing, including more than 2,000 Cambridge residents.
• Homeownership – The Housing Department’s Homeownership Resale Pool has almost 800
applicants looking to purchase an affordable unit when the current owner decides to sell,
including more than 580 Cambridge residents.
In 2023, the median market sales price for a condominium in Cambridge was approximately $885,000.
Without a significant down payment, purchasing a condominium at this price would require an annual
income of more than $216,000.
2025 Q2 Median Market Asking Rents
• 1-bedroom
$ 2,800
• 2-bedroom
$ 3,525
• 3-bedroom
$ 4,500
Two people earning Cambridge’s living wage would each have to work 69 hours per week to afford a
monthly rent of $3,525 for a two-bedroom apartment.
10
Recent Highlights - CPA-funded Affordable Housing
• The construction of 62 affordable housing rental units at 116 Norfolk Street was completed in
January 2025. The site is now fully occupied. 116 Norfolk Street became the first project
permitted under the provisions of the AHO to start and finish construction. Located in The Port,
the 116 Norfolk housing is operated as permanent supportive housing for residents and
individuals coming out of homelessness and includes a robust set of on-site services to support
residents.
• The 100th HomeBridge unit was purchased in October 2024, and 19 homebuyers bought homes
with HomeBridge funding in FY25.
• In the past year, funding from the Affordable Housing Trust was used to purchase several
properties where new affordable housing will soon be proposed.
• Efforts to create or preserve more than 1,000 units of affordable housing are now underway.
11
Current Developments
52 New Street
Sponsor: Just A Start Corporation (JAS)
Development: Creation of 106 new
affordable rental units (22 one-
bedroom, 62 two-bedrooms, 22 three-
bedrooms)
Trust Commitment: $18,030,930
Neighborhood: Neighborhood Nine
Status: Under construction, scheduled
to be completed in December 2025; residents are expected to start moving in early 2026
Jefferson Park Federal
Sponsor: Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA)
Development: Comprehensive modernization of 278
affordable rental units, with creation of more than 100
new units (41 one-bedroom, 106 two-bedrooms, 111
three-bedrooms, 20 four-bedrooms)
Trust Commitment: $43,611,615
Neighborhood: North Cambridge
Status: Under construction, scheduled to be completed
in 2027
49 Sixth Street (The Rose on Sixth)
Sponsor: Preservation of Affordable Housing
(POAH)
Development: Conversion of historic property and
creation of 46 affordable rental units (14 one-
bedroom, 20 two-bedrooms, 11 three-bedrooms, 1
four-bedrooms)
Trust Commitment: $11,250,000
Neighborhood: East Cambridge
Status: Under construction; scheduled to be
completed in 2027
12
4 Mellen Street (formerly known as 1627 Massachusetts
Avenue)
Sponsor: Homeowners Rehab Inc.
Development: Conversion of historic building and creation
of new building into 29 affordable rental units (10 one-
bedroom, 12 two-bedrooms, 7 three-bedrooms)
Trust Commitment: $8,657,442
Neighborhood: Baldwin
Status: Under construction; scheduled to be completed by
end of 2026
37 Brookline Street
Sponsor: Just A Start
Development: 13 affordable housing rental units
Trust Commitment: $2,064,000
Neighborhood: Cambridgeport
Status: AHO process underway
28-30 Wendell Street
Sponsor: Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
Development: ~95 affordable housing rental units
(44 one-bedroom, 25 two-bedrooms, 26 three-
bedrooms)
Trust Commitment: $17,357,000
Neighborhood: Baldwin
Status: AHO process underway
13
35 Cherry Street
Sponsor: Just A Start
Development: 10 affordable housing ownership units (6
two-bedrooms, 4 three-bedrooms)
Trust Commitment: $7,734,000
Neighborhood: The Port
Status: Construction anticipated to begin in Fall 2025
87-101 Blanchard Road
Sponsor: B’nai B’rith Housing
Development: 110 affordable housing rental
units (110 one-bedroom)
Trust Commitment: $18,169,120
Neighborhood: Cambridge Highlands
Status: Completing financing needed to begin
construction
21 Walden Square Road (Walden Square II)
Sponsor: Winn Development Company
Development: 95 affordable housing rental
units (33 one-bedroom, 33 two-bedrooms,
23 three-bedrooms, 6 four-bedrooms)
Trust Commitment: $18,750,000
Neighborhood: Neighborhood Nine
Status: Completing financing needed to
begin construction
14
Upcoming New Developments
The Affordable Housing Trust has also recently committed or is now reviewing requests for funding for
several new developments which have been proposed throughout the city, including:
16-18 Wendell Street
Purchased in July 2024 with CPA funds, the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) converted 16-18
Wendell Street into 22 units of permanent supportive housing to serve individuals and couples exiting
homelessness in Cambridge. A former dormitory previously owned by Lesley University, it was in
excellent condition when purchased. The property began lease-up in Fall 2024, following minor interior
renovations to create offices and new common spaces. There are full-time staff on-site to assist
residents with individual service plans. Residents who are ready and interested in transitioning out of
supportive SRO housing will have the opportunity to move into permanent housing within CHA’s
portfolio.
432 Rindge Avenue (Rindge Commons South)
In September 2024, the Trust approved funding for the construction on the second phase of Just A
Start’s (JAS) two-phased Rindge Commons development, which received a comprehensive permit in
August 2020. The first phase, Rindge Commons North, is a mixed-use development which was
completed in summer 2024, and includes 24 affordable rental units, as well as JAS program space and
City-sponsored pre-k classrooms. Rindge Commons South will be a new seven-story building containing
77 new affordable rental units, bringing the total number of new units on the site to 101. The second
phase will also expand the existing open space by adding a playground and creating a private outdoor
patio area on the second floor of the building for residents.
1826 & 1840 Massachusetts Avenue
In November 2024, JAS received CPA funding through the Trust to purchase two parking lots from
Lesley University to develop into new affordable housing under the provisions of the AHO. The project
is in the early stages of development planning.
1, 3, and 5 Frost Street & 20, 22, and 28 Roseland Street (Frost Terrace II)
In December 2024, the Trust provided CPA funding to the development team of Jason Korb, Sean
Hope, and Mathieu Zahler for the acquisition of six contiguous sites located adjacent to their existing
affordable development, Frost Terrace Apartments on Massachusetts Avenue in Porter Square. The
new sites will be developed as a second phase to Frost Terrace, called Frost Terrace II Apartments,
under the provisions of the AHO. The project is in the early stages of development planning.
12-14 Laurel Street
12-14 Laurel Street is an existing 2.5-story duplex in Cambridgeport. The long-term owners approached
JAS to transfer the building for redevelopment as affordable housing. In June 2025, the Trust approved
funding to assist JAS with predevelopment activities related to the development of 12-14 Laurel Street.
15
240 Broadway (Broadway Park)
JAS is planning to create a new 16-unit rental development at 240 Broadway, an existing JAS-controlled
parking lot in the Port neighborhood. In order to maximize funding, they plan to consolidate this site
with 37 Brookline Street as a single scattered-site affordable development. JAS will be developing both
sites under the provisions of the AHO. JAS will be bringing a funding request to the Trust in early FY26
to develop 37 Brookline Street and Broadway Park.
2072 Massachusetts Avenue
In 2018, the development team of Capstone Communities and Hope Real Estate purchased the
property at 2072 Massachusetts Avenue in North Cambridge. The team has proposed a new 100%
affordable housing rental development that will meet Passive House standards. The proposed design is
expected to create approximately 73 units with commercial space on the first floor and a roof garden
on the top floor. The project is proceeding under the provisions of the AHO. The development team
will be bringing a request to the Trust in FY26 for construction funding.
HomeBridge: Homebuyer Assistance Program
First-Time Homebuyers can access funds to help them purchase homes on the market. HomeBridge
offers income-eligible buyers up to 65% of the cost of buying a home on the market to make
homeownership more affordable while expanding the City’s stock of affordable homes. 110 buyers
have purchased homes through HomeBridge since its inception, including 19 in the past year.
HomeBridge is available to households earning up to 120% AMI, with buyers earning less than 100%
AMI are assisted with CPA funds.
16
Historic Preservation
FY26 CPA HISTORIC PRESERVATION REQUESTS
Project Title
FY 26 CPA
Funds
Reserve
Funds
Total
Amount
Project
Requestor
Backstage Theatrical Accessibility
Improvement Project
$100,000
$100,000 Multi-Cultural Arts
Center
Cannon Carriage Replacements
$60,000
$60,000 CHC/DPW
City Hall Vestibule Improvements
$72,000
$113,000
$185,000 Capital Building
Projects
Declaration of Independence
Document Conservation
$20,000
$20,000 City Clerk
Golf Course Clubhouse Foundation
and Envelope
$673,000
$673,000 Capital Building
Projects
Historic Markers Project Manager
$100,000
$100,000 CHC
Legislative Records Preservation
$170,000
$170,000 City Clerk
Preservation Grants
$850,000
$850,000 CHC
Recorded Media Preservation
$12,500
$12,500 22-CityView
Slide Archive Preservation
$37,500
$37,500 Arts Council
Stony Brook Reservoir Barn
$45,000
$45,000 Water Department
Sullivan Chamber Improvements
$100,000
$100,000 Capital Building
Projects
Washington Elm Marker
$10,000
$10,000 CHC/DPW
Historic Preservation Requests, Total
$2,250,000
$113,000
$2,363,000
17
Backstage Theatrical Accessibility Improvement Project
The Multicultural Arts Center is an organization that presents
multicultural visual and performing arts programs out of a historic
building located in East Cambridge. While the public areas of the
facility are fully accessible, not all of the backstage facilities are. The
bathrooms serving the dressing room and rehearsal space are
physically inaccessible to individuals who are blind or who use
wheelchairs or other mobility aids. The theater’s lighting, sound, and
video controls are also in inaccessible locations, hindering the
participation of many potential users.
The Backstage Theatrical Accessibility Improvement Project will resolve
these barriers by installing a fully ADA-compliant bathroom in the main
theater and will equip existing restroom facilities with appropriately
widened doorways, new fixtures, and improved navigation and
signage. This project is part of a larger, holistic, and collaborative effort
to create an inclusive and equitable creative environment that reflects
the diverse needs and aspirations of the Cambridge and Greater Boston communities.
Cannon Carriage Replacements
Three cast iron cannon left behind by the British when they evacuated Boston in 1776 have been
displayed on Cambridge Common since 1870. The cannon were restored in 2006 and are in excellent
condition, but the wooden carriages that were procured about that time are deteriorating and must be
replaced.
Historical Commission staff have consulted with the historian of the U.S.S. Constitution, which is armed with 24
replicas of one of the Cambridge cannons, and obtained the U.S. Navy's plans and specifications for gun
carriages.
18
City Hall Vestibule Improvements
The front lobby of Cambridge City Hall serves as a
vital first impression for all who visit—residents,
employees, and guests alike. As a highly visible
and well-traveled space, its appearance and
organization reflect the city’s values and civic
pride. While the space remains tidy and
meaningful, it has gradually become cluttered
with a mix of monuments, memorials, plaques,
maintenance equipment, and general wear from
years of use.
To address these concerns, the Capital Building
Projects Department proposes a review and
refresh of the front vestibule and hallway
circulation area. A professional assessment of the current layout and functionality of the lobby will be
conducted, including exploring opportunities to utilize the main hallway alcoves for programming. The
existing and future memorials and commemorative displays will be evaluated and thoughtfully
reorganized. A plaque for the Department of Veterans focused on Women in the Armed Forces and a
plaque with a statement regarding the separation of church and state and gender equality will be
designed and installed.
Declaration of Independence Document Conservation
The Cambridge Office of the City Clerk possesses a rare
manuscript copy of the Declaration of Independence,
housed in a leatherbound volume with the Town of
Cambridge Selectmen records dated 1769 through 1783.
The City Clerk’s Office wishes to ensure the longevity of
this invaluable document through archival preservation.
The goal in preserving this volume is twofold. First,
preserving this priceless historical artifact will ensure the
City’s original manuscript copy is protected in its newly
conserved state. Second, this volume is an invaluable
component of the City’s permanent record collection,
underscoring Cambridge's strong tradition of unique
social, political, and ideological contributions in the
context of the nation’s history. Creating a physical
facsimile and digital surrogate of the relevant pages will
allow Cantabrigians and other researchers to read,
contemplate, and appreciate the Declaration of
Independence for generations to come.
19
Golf Course Clubhouse Foundation and Envelope
The Fresh Pond Golf Course clubhouse is the main support facility for the City’s nine-hole municipal
course, which runs along the historic Fresh Pond Reservation. The Club House is a 4,600 SF, two-story,
brick masonry building with wood framed slate roofing, dating back to 1939. The last major Clubhouse
renovation was in 1993 which included bathroom and locker room upgrades and the addition of an
elevator.
While past CPA funding has already supported a study of the building’s needs and the start of window
replacements, additional investment is needed to address critical envelope repairs. The cupola and
clock tower, both defining architectural features, are in poor condition with peeling paint, deteriorated
trim, and visible water damage. Roof trim, gutters, and downspouts must be repaired to prevent
further infiltration, and masonry work is needed to remove the obsolete exhaust hood, restore the
façade, and repair mortar joints. A 2022 envelope assessment also identified significant water
penetration at the southeast foundation wall, with excavation, waterproofing, and interior foundation
repairs recommended. This funding request, along with available capital funds, will support this next
phase of improvements to safeguard the building envelope, extend the life of the clubhouse, and
preserve it as a safe, accessible, and welcoming resource for residents and visitors alike.
20
Historic Markers Project Manager
The Historic Markers Projects Administrator has relieved the Executive Director of operational
responsibility for previously-funded projects such as the replacement of older African American trail
markers and the composition, fabrication and installation of new markers. Other responsibilities
include an inventory of over 200 city-owned historic markers, development of a maintenance program
in coordination with the Department of Public Works, and one-off projects such as the replacement of
the cannon carriages on Cambridge Common and the fabrication of a new Washington Elm marker.
Several such projects, previously funded with CPA appropriations, are now moving forward after years
of delay.
When the Project Manager position was discussed with the CPA Committee in 2023 it was presented
as a three-year funding commitment, with the understanding that the position would then transfer to
the city payroll. This request is for year two.
Legislative Records Preservation
This project would continue the preservation, processing, and scanning of permanent and historic
records in the City Clerk’s office custody, including primarily legislative records and related indexes,
and to create an inventory to facilitate increased public access to these materials. In FY25, using CPA
funds, the City Clerk’s Office oversaw the preservation and processing of a minimum of 152 cubic feet
of permanent legislative records, equating to over 86,000 records. The proposed project will continue
document preservation efforts along with the description and cataloging work to ensure the records
are made available to the public. These actions will ensure the preservation of the City's heavily
accessed permanent and historic legislative records and allow greater public access to the materials.
21
Preservation Grants
The Cambridge Historical Commission has offered financial assistance for affordable housing projects
since 1976 and for non-profit owners of significant buildings since 2005.
Affordable Housing Preservation Grants
Income-eligible homeowners apply through an
affordable housing agency for funds to restore
or replace original exterior features. Housing
agencies may apply to restore multi-family
properties. Grants are generally part of a larger
funding package involving overall housing
rehabilitation. The program offers eligible
homeowners fully reimbursable grants up to
$30,000 per project. Affordable housing
agencies are offered fully reimbursable grants
up to $100,000. Grants to homeowners are
administered by two local non-profit
organizations that operate Home Improvement
Programs for income-eligible homeowners.
Institutional Preservation Grants
Many non-profits, especially churches and
community groups, own significant buildings in
need of restoration and/or rehabilitation.
Organizations apply directly to the Historical
Commission for assistance with building envelope
repairs, restoration, structural safety issues, and
accessibility projects where historic fabric is
directly involved. The Institutional Preservation
Grant program offers every non-profit an initial
fully reimbursable grant of up to $50,000 to help
address immediate needs from deferred
maintenance. With a capital plan in place,
organizations may apply for additional matching
grants of up to $100,000.
95 Fayerweather Street, an affordable three-unit condo
supported by an Affordable Housing Preservation Grant
The Central Square Church, which completed
restoration of the belfry and steeple with support of an
Institutional Preservation Grant
22
Recorded Media Preservation
The project aims to preserve and modernize access to public media records, including television and
audio recordings of city events. This effort supports the long-term preservation of historic city records
and ensures accessibility to the public and City departments.
These recordings document significant public meetings and events in Cambridge and serve as a
historical record for the city. Once digitized, the content will be easier to organize, preserve, and make
accessible to the public through 22-CityView’s platforms.
Slide Archive Preservation
The Cambridge Arts Council maintains a collection of an estimated 66,500 35mm slides span from the
1970s through the 1990s and include images from city-wide cultural events like the Cambridge River
Festival, as well as public art created through the Public Art Ordinance and MBTA’s Arts on the Line
program. These materials represent a valuable visual record of the city’s civic and cultural history and
are at risk of deterioration if not preserved. The collection is currently stored in binders in a closet
approximately 4 feet wide by 10 feet tall at the Cambridge Arts Council offices on the second floor of
the City Hall Annex. This project would support the digitization and preservation of this significant slide
archive documenting over two decades of Cambridge’s cultural and public art history
Stony Brook Reservoir Barn
Last renovated in 1999, the Stony Brook Barn is showing signs of wear and is in need of rehabilitation
to both the interior and exterior. The City of Cambridge Water Department proposes to use CPA
funding to hire a qualified architectural firm specializing in historic structures to conduct a thorough
structural investigation to identify and document major and minor issues, develop maintenance and
repair recommendations, work with CWD to develop a construction scope, and produce bid-ready
plans and specifications for future repair work. It is anticipated there will be a future CPA request for
construction.
23
Sullivan Chamber Improvements
This project would fund a restoration feasibility
study for the interior finishes of the historic
Sullivan Chamber at Cambridge City Hall and
associated design work. As the primary meeting
space for the City Council and a central venue for
civic engagement, the Sullivan Chamber holds
significant architectural and community value.
The study will assess the condition of original
wood features, including railings and architectural
furnishings, as well as decorative stencil wall
paintings that are currently deteriorating. It will
also evaluate and document damage to plaster at
the clerestory level, which requires repair and
repainting. A qualified historic preservation specialist will be engaged to guide the assessment and
recommend appropriate restoration techniques that align with best practices for historic interiors.
This project will support the continued use of the Sullivan Chamber as a welcoming, safe, and
historically preserved civic space for the Cambridge community. It is anticipated that there will be a
future CPA request to implement restoration of the Chamber’s interior.
Washington Elm Marker
The Washington Elm, which stood at what is now the middle of the intersection of Garden and Mason
Streets, was so called because it is the supposed location where General George Washington took
command of the American Army on July 3, 1775.
After the Washington Elm fell in 1923 the City installed a marble and brass marker in the intersection.
This was replaced by a bronze marker, which the Commission has replaced twice in the last thirty
years. The current proposal will replace the marker with one made of cast iron, which is expected to
have a life of 75-100 years.
24
Open Space
FY26 CPA OPEN SPACE REQUESTS
Project Title
FY26 CPA
Funds
Reserve
Funds
Total
Amount
Project Requestor
Alewife Trail Design and
Signage Planning
$71,000
$71,000
Green Cambridge
Danehy Park Improvements
Plan Multi-Year Plan
$1,169,000
$331,000
$1,500,000 Open Space Committee
Fresh Pond Golf Course
Environmental Work
$250,000
$250,000
Human Service
Programs
Lynch Family Skatepark
Improvements
$50,000
$50,000
Charles River
Conservancy
Maher Community Garden
Fence Rehabilitation
$150,000
$150,000 Open Space Committee
Rafferty Park
$270,000
$270,000 Open Space Committee
Re-establishing Native Species
& Supporting Tree Care at
Hell’s Half Acre
$40,000
$40,000
Charles River
Conservancy
Wilder-Lee Park
$250,000
$250,000 Open Space Committee
Open Space Requests, Total
$2,250,000
$331,000
$2,581,000
25
Alewife Trail Design and Signage Planning
The Alewife Reservation is a vital 136-acre
natural resource owned by the Massachusetts
Department of Conservation and Recreation
(Mass DCR) in the larger Alewife District. This
proposal is for Alewife Trail Design and Signage
Planning, a project to create a comprehensive,
community-informed, and permit-ready plan for
a specific new trail and a reservation-wide
wayfinding system within the Alewife Brook
Reservation. This project represents a critical
planning phase to enhance public access and
ecological understanding of one of Cambridge's
most significant natural resources. Funding
would support design work for low-impact trails and wayfinding and interpretive signage. It is
anticipated that future CPA funding will be requested for construction.
Danehy Park Improvements Plan (multi year plan)
Danehy Park is 35 years old and many systems or amenities are nearing (or past) the end of their
expected lifespan. The park will require significant investment over many years to address current
needs, as well as to continue to serve the goals and desires of the community for decades to come.
Throughout 2024 and early 2025, the City conducted an extensive community engagement process to
develop a Danehy Park Capital Improvements Plan, a roadmap to guide the City’s long-term
investments in this important and well-loved open space.
Based on extensive community outreach
including nine pop-up events reaching
over 800 community members, two
online surveys (yielding over a thousand
responses), collaboration with a project
Working Group, and input from
community meetings and work with focus
groups, the project team has developed a
set of long-term goals and a preliminary
list of projects, which will be further
refined in fall 2025. Anticipated
improvements include upgrades to utilities (electrical, water, irrigation, and drainage), athletic field
lighting, baseball and softball fields, a playground and splashpad, and new social gathering spaces.
This $1.5 million funding request will support design, site investigation, and public engagement for the
first phase of improvements identified through the Danehy Park Capital Improvements Plan process,
with construction anticipated to begin as soon as mid-2027. It is anticipated that there will be
additional CPA projects associated with this project in future years.
26
Fresh Pond Golf Course – Environmental Work (Soil Health)
The Fresh Pond Golf Course is located within the Fresh Pond Reservation, and serves as a buffer area
for a critical part of the City’s water supply. The golf course supports heavy program use, serving
approximately 54,000 rounds of golf per year, including Veteran’s programs, youth programs, and the
Cambridge Rindge and Latin School athletic program, as well as passive recreation.
The goal of this work is to improve the golf course turf and soil system to provide the best possible
growing environment for a healthy and dense turf, with an overall longer-term goal being to eventually
reduce inputs into the turf system, especially pesticides.
The work is expected to start in FY26.
Lynch Family Skatepark Improvements
This project will build on prior CPA funding to extend and expand
the “free wall” zone for graffiti art and provide additional much-
needed amenities for the Lynch Family Skate Park. The Artist-in-
Residence program will be revamped, and Artists will explore new,
unique areas of the park to spread art, expanding beyond the
previous footprint of the program.
In addition, the first year of this project highlighted the need for
some sight improvements. These include more benches and
seating, a bike rack, and minor repairs to skate infrastructure. This
could also include a storage container on site that could serve the
dual purpose of housing maintenance and safety equipment (i.e.
brooms and helmets) while also providing a community message
board and additional surface for public art.
27
Maher Community Garden – Fence Rehabilitation
The Maher Community Garden was reconstructed in its
current location in 2007, and there are 44 total plots
including 6 raised beds. The garden is well loved and tended
by residents of the community. The wooden perimeter fence
is 18 years old and has deteriorated beyond the ability to
repair. The rehabilitation of the garden’s perimeter fence
will include upgrades to have universally accessible gates.
The work is expected to be completed between Fall 2025
and Spring 2026.
Rafferty Park
Rafferty Park is a community park in the
Cambridge Highlands neighborhood.
Located behind the Sancta Maria Nursing
Facility, the park also serves neighborhood
users and area schools. Rafferty Park has
some of the oldest equipment in the City
and is in need of significant updates.
Comprehensive renovation of the park
would include new equipment, improved
accessibility, and field improvements.
A community process toward park
renovations began in spring 2024, with
construction anticipated to begin in late
Fall 2025/early 2026. The FY26 funding
request would supplement previous CPA funding to complete the project.
28
Re-establishing Native Species & Supporting Tree Care at Hell’s Half Acre
Hell’s Half Acre is seven and half acres of urban wild
along the Charles River, including four distinct habitat
areas: the riverfront, a successional upland forest, a
wetland, and the road edge. As such, this site has
unique ecological value, supporting significant
migratory and resident bird populations and providing
habitat value for native wildlife. This project seeks to
increase biodiversity along the lower Charles with
invasive species management and native replanting.
Previous CPA funding has been used to remove
invasive species from this area. This project would
build on the work by planting native species,
reestablishing a healthy ecosystem.
In addition to improving this park’s ecological value with new native planting, this project will support
32-36 existing trees along Greenough Boulevard that have been showing signs of stress since being
planted from 2015-2018. The trees are threatened by challenges including soil compaction, lack of
water, exposure to road salt, and physical damage suffered by a number of tree trunks. This project
will provide funding for an arborist to aerate soil around trees (reducing soil compaction), provide new
mulch rings (eliminating the need for potentially damaging mechanical weed trimming next to trees),
apply biochar or similar soil amendment, and structurally prune the trees.
Wilder-Lee Park
Wilder-Lee Park is a small park in the
Mid-Cambridge neighborhood, that
currently features play equipment, a
brick plaza space, and a passive lawn
area.
The program and design of the park
will be guided by a community
process anticipated to begin in
Fall/Winter 2025.
29
Appendix A: Public Comment Summary
The tables below summarize all comments and project requests received from the public, but not
those received from City Departments. CPA meetings were conducted remotely through Zoom.
Comments can be received at meetings, over the telephone, and via email.
FY26 CPA Public Comment Totals by Format*
Public Speakers – June 4, 2025
0
Public Speakers – July 28, 2025
9
Public Speakers – August 20, 2025
5
Online, Email, or Other Comment
• Testimonials and petitions from 6 affordable housing properties owned by
HRI and the Cambridge Housing Authority, totaling 250 comments
• 26 comments received by email
277
*A few individuals spoke at multiple meetings or hearings and/or both spoke at a hearing and submitted comments
electronically. For purposes of these totals, each comment is counted.
FY26 CPA Public Comment – ALLOCATION PERCENTAGES
Allocation Percentage Requested
Comments Received
80% Affordable Housing – 10% Historic Preservation – 10% Open Space
260
30
FY26 CPA Public Comment – PROJECT REQUESTS OR IDEAS
CPA Category
Comment Summary
Comments
Received
Affordable
Housing
Affordable Housing Comments
General concern about the high cost of developing affordable
units and the size of projects
1
Historic
Preservation
Historic Preservation Project Comments
Multicultural Arts Center
5
Open Space
Open Space Project Comments
Maher Community Garden
21
Public Art at Lynch Family Skate Park
1
Alewife Reservation
1
Hell’s Half Acre
1
31
Appendix B: CPA Fund Allocations & Appropriations FY02-25 Detail
Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing Supported by CPA Funds FY02-25
Affordable Housing Supported by CPA Funds (FY02-25)
Property Name
Property Details
Alewife Brook Condos
8 ownership units
Bishop Allen Apartments
32 rental units
87-101 Blanchard Road**^
110 rental units proposed
Briston Arms
154 rental units
Broadway Park**^
16 rental units proposed
37 Brookline Street**^
13 rental units proposed
Cambridge YWCA
103 rental units
Cambridge Court Apartments
122 rental units
!=-(
Jefferson Park Federal
278 rental units
Under construction
Frost Terrace
40 affordable rental units
Completed 2021
2072 Massachusetts Ave.
Affordable housing to be developed
~73 rental units
52 New Street
106 affordable rental units
Under construction
Rindge Commons
24 affordable rental units
First phase construction completed
Broadway Park
Affordable rental units
To be developed
4 Mellen Street
29 rental units
Under construction
37 Brookline Street
Affordable housing to be developed
13 rental units
87-101 Blanchard Road
Affordable housing to be developed
110 units
21 Walden Square Road
Affordable housing to be developed
95 units
16-18 Wendell Street
22 rental units
Completed in 2024
28-30 Wendell Street
Affordable housing to be developed
~95 rental units
Rindge Commons South
77 rental units
To be developed
1825 & 1840 Massachusetts Ave.
Affordable housing to be developed
Details TBD
Frost Terrace II
Affordable housing to be developed
Details TBD
12-14 Laurel St
4 ownership units
To be developed
ÂŻ
Affordable Housing Supported by the
Community Preservation Act FY02-FY25
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Preservation of Affordable Housing
Preservation of Affordable Housing
Scattered Site Units
Ownership
Rental
Affordable Housing Development
Ownership
Rental
Pending Commitments
Ownership
Rental
32
407-411 Cambridge Street
6 rental units
463 Cambridge Street
10 rental units
Cantabrigia Apartments
20 rental units
1 ownership unit
CAST I Apartments
42 rental units
CAST II Apartments
9 rental units
Central House SRO
128 rental units
Chapman Arms Apartments
25 rental units
CHA Condo Acquisition Program
14 rental units
35 Cherry Street**^
10 ownership units proposed
Columbia Court
13 ownership units
479-481 Concord Avenue
14 rental units
Concord Highlands/Finch Cambridge
98 rental units
26 Corporal McTernan Street (Park View
Cooperative)
12 cooperative units
Elm Place
19 rental units
Fresh Pond Apts.
504 rental units
1, 3, 5 Frost Terrace & 20, 22, 28 Roseland Street
(Frost Terrace II)**^
TBD rental units
Frost Terrace
40 rental units
Gateview Condos
14 ownership units
35 Harvey Street
12 rental units
HomeBridge
110 ownership units
25-27 Howard Street
6 rental units
Inman Square Apartments
116 rental units
Jackson Gardens
45 rental units
Jefferson Park Apartments – State
104 rental units
Jefferson Park Federal*^
278 rental units
Lancaster Street Apartments
65 rental units
12-14 Laurel Street**^
4 ownership units proposed
Linwood Court
45 rental units
Lincoln Way
70 rental units
22 Lopez Avenue
8 rental units
Main and Cherry Condos
10 ownership units
1-3 Marcella Street
16 rental units
4 Mellen Street (formerly 1627 Massachusetts
Avenue)*^
29 rental units
33
1826 & 1840 Massachusetts Avenue**^
~73 rental units proposed
2072 Massachusetts Avenue**
TBD
Neville Place
57 rental units
52 New Street*
106 rental units
116 Norfolk Street
62 rental units
95-97 Pine Street
12 rental units
Port Landing
20 rental units
78-80 Porter Road
26 rental units
Putnam Green
40 rental units
Putnam Square Apartments
94 rental units
Print Shop Condos
24 ownership units
Rindge Avenue SRO
14 rental units
Rindge Commons – Phase 1 (Rindge Commons
North)
24 rental units
Rindge Commons – Phase 2 (Rindge Commons
South)**^
77 rental units proposed
Scouting Way
13 rental units
49 Sixth Street*^
46 rental units
Squirrelwood
23 rental units
Temple Place
40 rental units
Trolley Square
32 rental units
8 ownership units
21 Walden Square Road**^
95 rental units proposed
Webster 5 Condos
9 ownership units
16-18 Wendell Street
22 rental units
28-30 Wendell Street**^
~95 rental units proposed
Windsor Street Condos
14 ownership units
* under construction
** under development / planning
^ funds committed
34
Historic Preservation Projects Supported by CPA Funds
Fiscal Year
Project Description
Amount
1627 Massachusetts Ave.
FY2024
1627 Mass Ave Restoration
$500,000
1627 Massachusetts Ave. Total
$500,000
Archives/Records Preservation
FY2007
Archives restoration – DPW, Main Library, Clerk
$195,000
FY2008
City Clerk, archives
$16,391
FY2008
City Engineer, archives
$140,000
FY2009
City Clerk, archives
$3,700
FY2009
Cambridge Chronicle 1846-
$60,000
FY2009
Digitization, City Council videotapes
$10,000
FY2010
Cambridge Public Library, digitization
$50,000
FY2011
Digitization, historic photo collection
$29,995
FY2012
City Engineer, Document Scanning
$8,179
FY2015
Rebind Atlases and Directories
$7,500
FY2016
Cambridge Newspapers
$93,325
FY2017
City Directories
$9,553
FY2018
Cambridge Public Library, digitization
$9,000
FY2019
Digitization, architectural history survey
$164,000
FY2019
Inspectional Services Dept. Plans & Records
$50,000
FY2020
Assessor’s Records Preservation
$55,500
FY2020
Architectural history survey – Phase II
$64,224
FY2021
Architectural history survey – Phase III
$65,776
FY2022
Architectural history survey – Phase IV
$67,000
FY2022
City Records
$173,000
FY2023
Cambridge Public Library
$45,000
FY2023
22-Cityview Recorded Media
$40,000
FY2024
22-Cityview Recorded Media
$12,000
FY2024
Legislative Records
$200,000
FY2024
Newspapers, Assessors’ Records, Reference
$84,000
FY2025
CDASH Records Preservation
$75,000
FY2025
WPA Painting Restoration
$25,000
Archives/Records Preservation Total
$1,753,141
Brattle Street
FY2006
Brattle St. – Craigie Park
$190,757
FY2017
Brattle St. – Sidewalk Repair
$150,000
Brattle Street Total
$340,757
Cambridge Cemetery
FY2004
Cambridge Cemetery, fence, 76 Coolidge Ave.
$125,000
FY2005
Cambridge Cemetery Chapel, 76 Coolidge Ave.
$100,000
35
FY2007
Cambridge Cemetery, steps and curbs
$50,000
FY2008
Cambridge Cemetery, steps and curbs
$50,000
FY2009
Cambridge Cemetery, receiving tomb
$25,000
FY2009
Cambridge Cemetery, steps and curbs
$30,000
FY2010
Cambridge Cemetery, steps and curbs
$30,000
FY2011
Cambridge Cemetery, granite steps and curbs
$30,000
FY2012
Cambridge Cemetery Steps and Curbs
$30,000
FY2013
Cambridge Cemetery, stairs and enclosures
$28,000
FY2014
Cambridge Cemetery, granite stairs
$14,249
FY2016
Database of Cambridge Cemetery Burials
$35,000
Cambridge Cemetery Total
$547,249
Cambridge Common
FY2004
Cambridge Common
$350,000
FY2005
Cambridge Common
$227,000
FY2006
Cambridge Common
$280,000
FY2005
Cambridge Common
$227,000
Cambridge Common Total
$867,901
Cambridge Public Library Facilities
FY2004
Cambridge Main Library, 449 Broadway
$900,000
FY2006
Collins Branch Library, 64 Aberdeen Ave.
$100,000
FY2007
O'Connell Library, 46 Sixth St., windows
$50,000
FY2008
Cambridge Public Library, archives
$75,000
FY2009
Collins Branch Library, accessibility
$136,765
FY2015
O'Connell Library, exterior
$325,000
FY2018
O'Connell Branch Interior Lighting
$34,000
FY2019
Cambridge Public Library, shelving
$37,600
FY2025
Main Library Steps
$40,000
Cambridge Public Library Facilities Total
$1,698,365
City Clerk Vault
FY2009
City Clerk, vault
$128,778
FY2010
City Clerk, vault
$47,000
FY2012
City Clerk Vault Design
$30,000
FY2013
City Clerk vault phase 2
$70,000
FY2014
City Clerk vault phase 2
$70,000
FY2015
City Clerk vault phase 2
$31,000
FY2016
City Clerk vault construction
$246,675
FY2017
City Clerk vault construction
$263,400
FY2009
City Clerk, vault
$128,778
City Clerk Vault Total
$886,853
36
City Hall
FY2005
City Hall, floors
$369,000
FY2006
City Hall, floors
$6,346
FY2007
City Hall, City Council Chamber improvements
$38,676
FY2007
City Hall, stairs
$125,000
FY2009
City Hall Sprinklers
$129,978
FY2010
City Hall, waterproofing
$79,896
FY2011
City Clerk Records Room
$50,000
FY2011
City Hall, waterproofing
$140,000
FY2012
City Hall Roof Design
$99,160
FY2012
City Hall Window Sill
$30,195
FY2012
City Hall Painting Project, roof design
$111,331
FY2013
City Hall Public Area woodwork restoration
$40,000
FY2013
City Hall, Replace Exterior Window Sills
$195,000
FY2014
City Hall interior storm windows
$23,500
FY2014
City Hall, Replace Exterior Window Sills
$137,543
FY2018
City Hall steps
$125,000
FY2025
City Hall Façade Restoration
$50,000
City Hall Total
$1,750,625
Community Projects
FY2009
Shady Hill Square, preservation restriction
$175,000
FY2012
Magazine Beach Powderhouse Preservation Repairs
$25,000
FY2014
Magazine Beach Powderhouse
$100,000
FY2015
Magazine Beach Landscape Plan
$56,500
FY2015
YWCA shelter
$200,000
FY2017
Magazine Beach Powerhouse interior rehab
$100,000
FY2017
Magazine Beach Signage
$16,600
FY2021
93-99 Bishop Allen Drive Restoration
$330,000
FY2023
Margaret Fuller House Renovation
$500,000
FY2025
Dance Complex
$500,000
FY2025
Margaret Fuller House Renovation
$270,000
Community Projects Total
$2,273,100
Electrical Department
FY2007
Electrical Dept. Garage
$56,407
FY2018
Electrical Dept. 35 Third Street Slate Roof Replacement
$550,000
Electrical Department Total
$606,407
Fire Department
FY2007
Fire: Engine 5 (Inman Square)
$98,535
FY2008
Fire: Engine 5 (Inman Square)
$5,000
FY2008
Fire: Engine 6 (176 River St)
$48,055
FY2010
Fire: Engine 5 (220 Hampshire St)
$18,560
FY2010
Fire: Engine 9 (167 Lexington Ave)
$191,703
37
FY2011
Fire: Eng. 1 (Headquarters) & 6 (176 River St)
$15,000
FY2014
Fire: Engine 6 (176 River St)
$54,500
FY2020
Fire: Engine 5 (Inman Square)
$482,000
FY2025
Lexington Ave Windows
$500,000
FY2025
River St. Firehouse
$600,000
Fire Department Total
$2,013,352
Former Police Headquarters (5 Western Ave)
FY2004
5 Western Ave., Iron work
$16,250
FY2011
5 Western Ave., Adaptive Reuse
$250,000
FY2012
5 Western Ave., Adaptive Reuse
$250,000
Former Police Headquarters Total
$516,250
Foundry Building
FY2021
Foundry, Masonry Restoration
$387,000
FY2021
Foundry, Women’s History Project
$50,000
Foundry Building Total
$437,000
Fresh Pond Golf Clubhouse
FY2006
Fresh Pond Golf Course, clubhouse cupola
$33,398
FY2008
Fresh Pond Golf Course, clubhouse roof
$80,930
FY2018
Golf Course Window Repair
$50,000
FY2024
Fresh Pond Golf Course Windows
$194,000
FY2025
Fresh Pond Golf Clubhouse
$325,000
Total Fresh Pond Golf Clubhouse
$683,328
Historic Markers
FY2013
Historic Markers - Prototype Design
$40,000
FY2018
Historic and African American Heritage Trail Markers
$30,000
FY2019
African American Heritage Trail Markers
$80,000
FY2020
African American Trail Markers - Phase II
$80,000
FY2024
Sennott Park Historical Marker
$20,000
FY2025
Winthrop Park Marker
$30,000
Total Historic Markers
$280,000
Historic Open Spaces
FY2008
Fort Washington, Waverly St, irrigation
$16,373
FY2013
CPL. Burns Shelter, design and testing
$9,700
FY2016
Kingsley Park overlook restoration
$30,000
FY2016
Longfellow Park, staircase restoration
$50,000
FY2016
Lowell Park, landscape plan and wall restoration
$85,000
FY2017
Lowell Park Landscape plan
$60,000
FY2018
Longfellow Park Steps
$30,755
FY2019
Flagstaff Park - flagpole replacement
$50,000
38
FY2019
Longfellow Park - masonry repairs
$90,400
FY2022
Flagstaff Park flagpole restoration
$175,000
Total Historic Open Spaces
$597,228
Historic Preservation Grants
FY2002 - FY2025
Historic Preservation Grants*
$12,693,500
Historic Preservation Grants Total
$12,693,500
Lombardi Building
FY2022
Lombardi Municipal Building, Roof Replacement
$535,000
FY2023
Historical Commission Archival Support
$410,000
Lombardi Building Total
$945,000
Old Burying Ground
FY2008
Old Burying Ground, table tombs
$40,000
FY2009
Old Burying Ground, table tombs
$30,000
FY2010
Old Burying Ground
$19,797
FY2017
Old Burying Ground, headstone and tomb restoration
$27,741
FY2020
Old Burying Ground, grave marker restoration
$22,219
FY2023
Old Burying Ground
$75,000
Old Burying Ground Total
$214,757
Preservation Projects Administrator
FY2024
Preservation Projects Administrator
$100,000
Preservation Projects Administrator Total
$100,000
Water Department
FY2024
Stony Brook Gatehouse Masonry Restoration
$250,000
Water Department Total
$250,000
Historic Preservation Reserve Balance
$113,187.84
Historic Preservation Total
$30,068,000
*See further detail on Preservation Grant spending.
Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.
39
Preservation Grants
Preservation Grants for Affordable Housing (FY03-25)
Recipient Project Address
Agency
Amount
407 Cambridge St.
Cambridge and Somerville Community
Action Program
$50,000
2103 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge and Somerville Community
Action Program
$100,000
151-157 Allston St.
Cambridge Community Housing
Development
$50,000
151-157 Allston St.
Cambridge Community Housing
Development
$30,000
23-25 Athens St.
Cambridge Community Housing
Development
$30,000
27-29 Athens St.
Cambridge Community Housing
Development
$30,000
86-90 1/2 Berkshire St.
Cambridge Community Housing
Development
$23,000
25-27 Howard St.
Cambridge Community Housing
Development
$50,000
139 Spring St.
Cambridge Community Housing
Development
$59,150
259 Windsor-24 Market St.
Cambridge Community Housing
Development
$32,191
71 Hammond Street
Cambridge Housing Authority
$100,000
62-64 Clifton St.
Cambridge Neighborhood Apartment
Housing Services
$35,000
17 Milton St.
Cambridge Neighborhood Apartment
Housing Services
$28,250
8 Bigelow St
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$25,000
155 Brookline St., #18
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$10,000
14 Carlisle St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$30,000
18-20 Carlisle St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$30,000
151 Clark St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$18,000
49-53 Columbia St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$50,000
171-173 Columbia St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$30,000
175-177 Columbia St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$30,000
341 Columbia St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$93,387
302-304 Concord Ave.
Homeowner's Rehab, Inc.
$25,000
55 Dana St.
Homeowner's Rehab, Inc.
$75,000
14 Dinsmore Ct.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$2,200
40
131-133 Fayerweather St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$30,000
22-24 Flagg St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$25,000
11 Foch St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$15,000
24-36 Fulkerson St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$35,000
45 Garfield St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$32,200
45 Garfield St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$17,100
207-209 Green St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$50,000
35 Harvey St.
Homeowner's Rehab, Inc.
$160,000
101 1/2 Inman St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$50,000
101 1/2 Inman St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$37,675
75-79 Kinnaird St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$40,000
13-15 Lincoln St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$50,000
23-25 Madison Ave.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$36,000
901 Massachusetts Ave.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$141,000
1627 Massachusetts Ave.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$150,000
95-97 Pine St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$75,000
300 Prospect St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$30,000
106 Reed St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$25,000
160-164 Richdale Ave.
Homeowner's Rehab, Inc.
$25,000
32 Rice St
Homeowner's Rehab, Inc.
$25,000
289 Rindge Ave.
Homeowner's Rehab, Inc.
$50,000
17 Seventh St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$10,500
58 Seventh St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$75,000
27 Tremont Street
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$30,000
37 Union St.
Homeowner's Rehab, Inc.
$50,000
2-4 University Rd.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$50,000
25 Wendell St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$46,750
253-255 Windsor St.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
$8,200
1 Allston Ct.
Just A Start
$30,000
2 Allston Court
Just A Start
$40,000
237 Allston St.
Just A Start.
$4,900
237 Allston Street (#2)
Just A Start
$7,100
323 Allston St.
Just A Start
$4,220
70 Bishop Allen Dr.
Just A Start
$35,000
77 Bishop Allen Dr.
Just A Start
$35,000
41
10-12 Boardman St.
Just A Start
$8,909
12 Boardman Street
Just A Start
$35,000
17 Boardman Street
Just A Start
$35,000
71 Bolton St.
Just A Start
$50,000
267 Broadway
Just A Start
$70,000
424 Broadway
Just A Start
$10,772
155 Brookline St. #1
Just A Start
$10,000
15 Carlisle St.
Just A Start
$50,000
171-173 Columbia St.
Just A Start
$90,000
201-203 Columbia St.
Just A Start
$50,000
209 Columbia St.
Just A Start
$50,000
10-20 Cpl McTernan (3 units)
Just A Start
$35,020
6 Cottage St.
Just A Start
$15,000
95 Fayerweather St.
Just A Start
$68,000
96 Gore St.
Just A Start
$18,530
109 Hampshire St.
Just A Start
$61,500
19 Howard St.
Just A Start
$30,000
20 Kelly Rd.
Just A Start
$25,000
9 Kenwood St.
Just A Start
$30,000
51 Norfolk St.
Just A Start
$35,000
59 Norfolk St.
Just A Start
$30,000
62 Norfolk St.
Just A Start
$35,000
269 Norfolk St.
Just A Start
$30,000
342 Norfolk St.
Just A Start
$30,000
22 Plymouth St.
Just A Start
$30,000
146-152 Prospect St.
Just A Start
$50,000
156 Prospect Street
Just A Start
$40,000
196 Prospect Street
Just A Start
$70,000
20 Reed Street
Just A Start
$23,830
128 Reed Street
Just A Start
$51,750
7-9 Salem Street
Just A Start
$40,000
15 Seventh St.
Just A Start
$15,000
28 Sixth St.
Just A Start
$37,200
56 Sixth St.
Just A Start
$30,000
11 Speridakis Ter.
Just A Start
$3,500
42
89 Third St.
Just A Start
$30,000
124 Thorndike St.
Just A Start
$18,500
4 Tremont St.
Just A Start
$3,000
25 Tremont St.
Just A Start
$25,000
27 Tremont St.
Just A Start
$25,000
6 Union St.
Just A Start
$60,000
14 Upton St.
Just A Start
$21,075
288 Washington St.
Just A Start
$29,300
288-299 Washington St.
Just A Start
$10,500
44 Webster Ave.
Just A Start
$30,000
135 Western Ave.
Just A Start
$30,000
135 Western Ave.
Just A Start
$30,000
367-369 Western Ave.
Just A Start
$30,000
336 Windsor St.
Just A Start
$50,000
424-432 Windsor St.
Just A Start
$30,000
296 Washington St.
Lead-Safe Cambridge
$19,350
196-198 Auburn St.
Share Associates
$32,316
424 Windsor St.
Windsor St. Condo Association
$9,750
Total
117
$4,339,750
Institutional Preservation Grants (FY05-25)
Recipient Institution
Grants Awarded
Total Amount
Agassiz Neighborhood House, 20 Sacramento St.
2
$96,146
Cambridge Center for Adult Education, 46+52 Brattle St.
9
$384,275
Cambridge Community Center, 5 Callender St.
2
$144,240
Cambridge Family & Children's Services, 60 Gore St.
2
$80,000
Cambridge Health Alliance, 16 Camellia Avenue
1
$43,020
Cambridge Masonic Hall, 1950 Mass. Ave.
2
$62,230
Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second St.
1
$57,505
Cambridge YMCA, 820 Mass. Ave.
1
$50,000
Cambridge YWCA, 7 Temple St.
1
$50,000
Cambridge Zen Center, 193-199 Auburn Street
2
$100,000
Cambridge-Ellis School, 80 Trowbridge St.
3
$68,775
Cambridgeport Baptist Church, 130 Magazine St.
3
$200,000
43
Central Square Church, 5 Magazine St.
2
$310,000
Christ Church, 0 Garden St.
1
$30,000
Christ the King Presbyterian Church, 99 Prospect St.
3
$257,575
Christian Science Reading Room
1
$100,000
Church of the New Jerusalem, 50 Quincy St.
1
$50,000
Congregation Eitz Chayim, 136 Magazine St.
2
$74,465
Dance Complex, 536 Massachusetts Ave.
2
$62,480
East End House, 105 Spring St.
1
$26,350
Faith Lutheran Church, 311 Broadway
3
$124,466
First Baptist Church, 5 Magazine St.
2
$150,000
First Church of Christ Scientist, 13 Waterhouse St.
3
$125,000
First Church, Congregational, 11 Garden St.
3
$300,000
First Korean Church, 35 Magazine Street
1
$25,000
First Parish Unitarian Church, 1450 Mass. Ave.
4
$450,000
First Reformed Presbyterian Church, 51 Antrim St.
4
$207,388
First United Presbyterian Church, 1418 Cambridge St.
4
$131,318
Friends Meeting House, Longfellow Park
3
$91,418
Grace Methodist Church, 56 Magazine St.
1
$46,000
The Greek Institute, 1038 Mass. Ave.
1
$100,000
Harvard-Epworth Methodist Episcopal Church, 1555 Mass. Ave.
5
$172,775
Historic New England-Cooper-Frost-Austin House, 21 Linnaean
2
$50,000
History Cambridge, 159 Brattle St.
4
$216,705
Holy Trinity Parish House, 145 Brattle St.
2
$63,800
Longy School of Music, 1 Follen Street
7
$520,000
Margaret Fuller House, 71 Cherry St.
3
$133,700
Mass Ave. Baptist Church, 146 Hampshire St.
2
$200,000
Massasoit Lodge, 55 Bishop Allen Drive
1
$50,000
Mercy Corps, 9 Waterhouse St.
2
$80,000
Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mt Auburn St.
2
$100,000
New School of Music, 25 Lowell St.
3
$57,241
Old Cambridge Baptist Church. 400 Harvard St.
6
$317,575
Park View Cooperative, 24-26 Cpl. McTernan Street
1
$100,000
Pentecostal Tabernacle, South Campus, 56 Magazine St.
4
$400,000
Real Colegio Complutense
1
$50,000
Reed Hall/ Episcopal Divinity School, 99 Brattle St.
1
$48,000
44
Rush AME Zion Church, 82 School St.
1
$50,000
St. Augustine African Orthodox Church, 137 Allston St.
4
$256,000
St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 239 Harvard St.
1
$50,000
St. Francis of Assisi Church, 323 Cambridge St
1
$100,000
St. James's Episcopal Church, 1991 Mass. Ave.
1
$100,000
St. Mary's Church/School Complex, 134 Norfolk St.
5
$273,050
St. Mary’s Orthodox Church
1
$100,000
St. Paul AME, 31 Bishop Allen Dr.
1
$50,000
St. Paul Parish (Catholic), 29 Mt. Auburn St.
2
$130,000
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 838 Mass. Ave.
5
$170,185
Sacred Heart Church, 49 Sixth St.
2
$61,865
Temple Beth Shalom, 8 Tremont St.
1
$3,915
The Greek Institute, 1038 Massachusetts Avenue
1
$100,000
The Greek Institute, 1038 Massachusetts Avenue
1
$100,000
Union Baptist Church, 872 Main St.
4
$153,555
Western Avenue Baptist Church, 299 Western Ave.
7
$266,087
424-430 Windsor Street Condo Association
1
$28,000
Women's Educational Center, 46 Pleasant St.
1
$43,560
Total
157
$8,593,664
45
Open Space
This chart shows the history of CPA projects grouped by project type. Many projects include components from
more than one category.
Open Space Supported by CPA Funds
Fiscal Year
Project Description
Amount
Athletic Fields/Courts
$530,000
FY2013
Replacement of Basketball and Tennis Courts
$428,000
FY2014
Sacramento Field Renovations
$420,000
FY2015
Sacramento Field Renovations
$85,000
FY2015
Sennott Park Basketball Courts
$60,000
FY2016
CRLS Tennis Courts Structural Study
$365,000
FY2018
CRLS Tennis Courts
$100,000
FY2023
Gold Star Mother (Gore Street) Park Paved Area Design
$1,300,000
FY2024
Gold Star Mother (Gore Street) Park Paved Area Renovation
$530,000
FY2013
Replacement of Basketball and Tennis Courts
$428,000
Athletic Fields/Courts Total
$3,288,000
Community Gardens
FY2006
Purchase 12-14 Watson Street
$153,654
FY2013
Hurley Street Community Garden
$100,000
Community Gardens Total
$253,654
Community Projects
FY2016
Greenbough Blvd/ Hell's Acre
$90,000
FY2018
Magazine Beach - Canoe/Kayak Launch
$25,000
FY2019
Magazine Beach - Shoreline Edgework
$155,450
FY2020
Hell’s Half Acre Ecological Restoration
$50,250
FY2020
Magazine Beach – Site Survey, Planning & Design
$47,700
FY2021
Magazine Beach, Sunken Parking Lot Removal & Grassy Beach
Creation
$150,000
FY2022
Alewife Restoration
$40,000
FY2022
Magazine Beach Recreation, Grassy Beach
$150,000
FY2025
Alewife Reservation Restoration
$80,295
FY2025
Spatial Justice & Public Art at the Lynch Family Skatepark
$50,000
Community Projects Total
$838,695
Fresh Pond Reservation
FY2004
Fresh Pond Reservation - Watershed Soil Stabilization
$150,000
FY2004
Little Fresh Pond Bank and Shoreline Restoration
$149,797
FY2005
Northeast Sector/Fresh Pond Improvements Project
$1,800,000
FY2006
Black's Nook and Black's Nook Access Area Improvements
$80,000
FY2006
Little Fresh Pond Bank and Shoreline Restoration
$200,000
46
FY2006
Old Field/Birch Grove
$120,000
FY2007
Glacken Slope Stabilization and Access Plan
$60,000
FY2007
Golf Course - Fresh Pond Reservation Earthen Berm
$244,631
FY2007
Kingsley Park Slope Stabilization
$25,000
FY2007
Little Fresh Pond Bank and Shoreline Restoration
$100,000
FY2007
Old Field/Birch Grove Restoration
$375,000
FY2008
Black's Nook and Black's Nook Access Area Improvements
$250,000
FY2008
Northeast Sector Final Change Order on Re-vegetation
$75,000
FY2009
Drainage Improvements Project
$74,974
FY2009
Fresh Pond Reservation - Circulation and Access Plan
$50,000
FY2009
Kingsley Point Restoration
$599,153
FY2010
Black's Nook and Black's Nook Access Area Improvements
$249,877
FY2010
Drainage Improvements Project
$155,000
FY2011
Black's Nook and Black's Nook Access Area Improvements
$350,000
FY2011
Glacken Slope Stabilization and Access Plan
$350,000
FY2011
Golf Course - Watershed Protection and Re-vegetation
$55,000
FY2012
Drainage Improvements and Parkway Community Garden
$380,370
FY2012
Glacken Slope Stabilization and Access Plan
$350,000
FY2012
Golf Course - Watershed Protection and Landscape Stabilization
$259,728
FY2017
Drainage Improvements and Fresh Pond Parkway Community
Garden
$250,000
FY2019
Fresh Pond Reservation - Ecological Landscape Improvements
$66,550
FY2022
Bare Root Nursery Expansion
$125,000
Fresh Pond Reservation Total
$6,945,078
Park Projects
FY2013
Elm/ Hampshire Plaza Bishop Allen/Main St. Park
$320,000
FY2013
Pacific Street/ Passive Area and Dog Park
$100,000
FY2015
Pacific Street/ Passive Area and Dog Park
$70,000
FY2017
Sennott Park Improvements
$479,969
FY2019
O'Connell Branch Library Pocket Park
$250,000
FY2021
Sennott Park Improvements
$500,000
FY2022
Rafferty Park Design
$360,000
FY2022
Raymond Street (Corcoran) Park Design and Partial Construction
$1,075,000
FY2023
Raymond Street (Corcoran) Park Partial Construction
$1,720,000
FY2024
Rafferty Park Partial Construction
$760,000
FY2025
Rafferty Park Construction
$800,000
FY2025
Raymond Park Renovation
$1,000,000
Total Park Projects
$7,434,969
47
Paths/Trails
FY2013
Railroad Rights of Way
$216,562
FY2020
Alewife Path Design
$350,000
FY2021
Linear Park Design
$600,000
FY2023
Watertown Cambridge Greenway
$150,000
Paths/Trails Total
$1,316,562
Playgrounds
FY2013
Hurley Playground
$403,788
FY2013
Replacement of School Playgrounds
$299,999
FY2014
Haggerty School Playground Improvements
$600,000
FY2015
Cambridgeport School Playground
$458,813
FY2015
Haggerty School Playground Improvements
$169,948
FY2016
Amigos School Playground
$500,000
FY2016
Clarendon Avenue Playground Design
$259,925
FY2016
Morse School Playground design
$260,000
FY2017
Graham and Parks school playground
$500,000
FY2018
Amigo and Morse Playground
$50,000
FY2018
Sennott Park Playground Renovations
$1,073,507
FY2020
Hoyt Field Play Structures and Furniture
$874,050
Playgrounds Total
$5,450,031
Watershed Land
FY2005
Cambridge Watershed Land Acquisition (Lincoln, MA)
$750,000
FY2008
Watershed Protection and Restoration of Stream "C"
$250,000
FY2009
Ecological Inventory of Upland Watershed Property
$100,000
FY2009
Watershed Slope and Soil Stabilization Project
$250,000
FY2010
Watershed Slope and Soil Stabilization Project
$250,000
FY2010
Watershed Stormwater Improvements
$247,816
FY2011
Upcountry Watershed and Water Quality Improvements
$200,000
FY2012
Reserve transfer for the purchase of 53.6 acres of DeNormandie
property in Lincoln Ma
$1,132,247
FY2025
Watershed Land Acquisition
$1,000,000
Total Watershed Land
$4,180,063
Open Space Reserve Balance
$360,946.53
Open Space Total
$30,068,000
Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.
48
Appendix C: CPA Reserve Fund Allocations
In addition to the CPA Fund Balance, which consists of monies in the CPA Fund that have not been appropriated
in previous fiscal years, the City maintains two reserve accounts: the Historic Preservation Reserve and the Open
Space Reserve. These accounts include funds that were allocated and appropriated for spending on Historic
Preservation or Open Space purposes in previous fiscal years but were not ultimately expended for a particular
project. Remaining unexpended balances on previously approved projects can also be transferred into the
corresponding fund.
Once funds are transferred into a reserve account, they can only be used for qualifying purposes (i.e., Historic
Preservation or Open Space). A summary of allocations and transfers from these reserve accounts is presented
below by Fiscal Year.
Historic Preservation Reserve
Fiscal Year
Beginning Balance
Additions
Reductions
Ending Balance
FY2003
$810,000
$810,000
FY2004
$810,000
$36,000
($810,000)
$36,000
FY2005
$36,000
($36,000)
$0
FY2006
$0
$0
FY2007
$0
$18,750
$18,750
FY2008-FY2017
$18,750
$18,750
FY2018
$18,750
$21,668
($18,750)
$21,668
FY2019-FY2020
$21,668
$21,668
FY2021
$21,668
$19,245
$40,913
FY2022-FY2023
$40,913
$40,913
FY2024
$40,913
$1,057,274
$1,098,188
FY2025*
$1,098,187.74
($985,000.00)
$113,187.74
* $985,000 was appropriated out of the Historic Preservation Reserve on 9/12/24.
Note: Amounts prior to FY25 may not total due to rounding.
49
Open Space Reserve
Fiscal Year
Beginning Balance
Additions
Reductions
Ending Balance
FY2003
$1,350,000
$1,350,000
FY2004
$1,350,000
$760,000
$2,110,000
FY2005
$2,110,000
$260,000
($2,110,000)
$260,000
FY2006
$260,000
($153,655)
$106,345
FY2007
$106,345
$1,615,000
$1,721,345
FY2008
$1,721,345
$685,000
$2,406,345
FY2009
$2,406,345
$15,000
$2,421,345
FY2010-FY2011
$2,421,345
$2,421,345
FY2012
$2,421,345
($1,152,247)
$1,269,098
FY2013
$1,269,098
($1,035,000)
$234,098
FY2014-FY2017
$234,098
$234,098
FY2018
$234,098
($234,098)
$0
FY2019-FY2020
$0
$0
FY2021
$0
$127,494
$127,494
FY2022-FY2023
$127,494
$127,494
FY2024
$127,494
$1,033,544
$1,161,038
FY2025*
$1,161,038.36
$84,833.17
($884,925.00)
$360,946.53
* The CPA Committee voted on 6/4/25 to transfer various unexpended Open Space project budget balances to
Open Space Reserve. $884,925 was appropriated out of the Open Space Reserve on 9/12/24.
Note: Amounts prior to FY25 may not total due to rounding.
50
Appendix D: Non-CPA Open Space Funding
From FY11 through FY25, many open space projects were funded through mechanisms other than the CPA. The
below chart does not include annual allocations for routine maintenance for parks, Cambridge Cemetery, and
Fresh Pond Reservation, including the repair and replacement of recreation hard surfaces.
Fiscal Year
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
2012
Alberico, David Nunes/Old Morse and Fulmore
Parks, Renovation
$1,240,000 Bond
2021
BB&N/Larch Road Open Space Acquisition
$18,500,000 Free Cash
2014
Cambridge Common (Total project cost $6.25M
through various funding sources)
$2,180,000 Bond
2017
Cambridge Common Enhancement Project
$500,000 Bond
Cambridge Common Enhancement Project Total
$2,680,000
2016
Clarendon Avenue Playground
$700,000 Free Cash
2020
Clarendon Avenue Playground
$300,000 Free Cash
Clarendon Avenue Playground Total
$1,000,000
2011
Danehy Park Soccer Field
$700,000 Bond
2013
Danehy Park Soccer Field
$1,540,000 Bond
2015
Danehy Park Soccer Field, artificial turf
$1,150,000 Bond
2022
Danehy Park Changing Facility
$10,300,000 Free Cash
2023
Danehy Park Softball Field
$600,000 Free Cash
2024
Danehy Park Upgrades
$4,280,000 Free Cash
Danehy Park Soccer Field Total
$18,570,000
2016
East Cambridge Kendall Square Open Space parks
$11,750,000 Private Developers
2021
East Cambridge Kendall Square Open Space parks
$5,717,250 Private Developers
East Cambridge Kendall Sq. Parks Total
$17,467,250
2018
Fresh Pond, Drainage and Community Garden
$650,000 Water Service
2017
Fresh Pond, Drainage and Community Garden
$600,000 Water Service
2015
Fresh Pond, Golf Course Improvements
$550,000 Bond
Fresh Pond Total
$1,800,000
2020
Glacken Field
$7,250,000 Free Cash
2016
Glacken Slope
$500,000 Water Service
2020
Glacken Slope
$300,000 Water Service
Glacken Total
$8,050,000
2017
Grand Junction Path (phased over 4 years)
$10,000,000 Bond
2023
Grand Junction Path, Linear Park, and
Danehy/New St Path
$15,000,000 Bond
Linear Parks Total
$25,000,000
2014
Haggerty School and Playground Renovations
$55,000 Free Cash
51
2014
Kingsley Park Restoration
$500,000 Water Service
2015
Kingsley Park Restoration
$600,000 Water Service
2016
Kingsley Park Restoration
$250,000 Water Service
Kingsley Park Restoration Total
$1,350,000
2018
Magazine Beach
$44,000 Free Cash
2019
Magazine Beach, shoreline
$600,000 Free Cash
2022
Magazine Beach Phase II-2
$1,800,000 ARPA
Magazine Beach Total
$2,444,000
2016
Morse School Playground
$940,000 Free Cash
2020
O’Connell Library Park
$245,000 Free Cash, CRA Grant,
East Cambridge OS Trust
2013
Pacific Street Dog Park
$50,000 Bond
2024
Peabody School Playground
$1,000,000 Bond
2025
Peabody Playground and Hardscape
$560,000 Bond
Total Peabody School Playground
$1,560,000
2025
Rafferty Park and Playground
$1,440,000 Bond
2024
Raymond St. Park and Corcoran Field
$1,500,000 Bond
2025
Raymond St. Park and Corcoran Field
$500,000 Bond
Total Raymond St. Park and Corcoran Field
$2,000,000
2012
Riverside Press Park Community Garden
$60,000 Bond
2017
Russell Field
$2,300,000 Bond
2019
Russell Field
$350,000 Free Cash
Russell Field Total
$2,650,000
2018
Sacramento Field
$150,000 Free Cash
2022
Sennott Park
$250,000 Free Cash
2019
Universal Design Playground
$500,000 Free Cash
2020
Universal Design Playground
$5,300,000 Free Cash
2022
Universal Design Playground
$700,000 Free Cash
Universal Design Playground Total
$6,500,000
2013
Waverly Street Path Construction
$332,000 Property Tax
2025
Wilder-Lee and 359 Broadway
$500,000 Bond
Total
$114,833,250
52
Fiscal Year
Amount
2011
$700,000
2012
$1,300,000
2013
$1,922,000
2014
$2,735,000
2015
$2,300,000
2016
$14,140,000
2017
$13,400,000
2018
$844,000
2019
$1,450,000
2020
$13,395,000
2021
$24,217,250
2022
$13,050,000
2023
$15,600,000
2024
$6,780,000
2025
$3,000,000
$114,833,250