The Manager's report back on major capital initiatives at or above $15,000,000 for the period from FY21 to FY26

To the Honorable, the City Council:

In response to Awaiting Report #26-20, which requested that the City Manager provide a report for all major capital initiatives at or above $15,000,000 for the period of FY21 to FY26, we have compiled this report on the following 15 major capital initiatives: 1. Multi-Use Paths Program – Linear Park and Danehy / New Street Path 2. Buildings – 221 Mount Auburn Street Project 3. Buildings – Fire Headquarters Project 4. Buildings – Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan (MFIP) Program 5.

Buildings – School Building Repairs and Improvements Program 6. Buildings – Tobin Montessori and Darby Vassall Upper Schools Project 7. Sewer/Stormwater – Alewife Program 8. Sewer/Stormwater – Capital Repairs Program 9. Sewer/Stormwater – Remedial Construction Program 10. Sewer/Stormwater – River Street & Western Avenue Program 11. Sewer/Stormwater – The Port Program 12. Streets – Central Square Project 13. Streets – Complete Streets Reconstruction Program 14.

Streets – Massachusetts Avenue – Waterhouse to Alewife Brook Parkway Project 15. Water – Water Works Construction Program

Overview The Finance Department works closely with the Deputy City Manager and City departments to manage capital budgets. Department heads and project managers work closely with the Finance Department in developing cash flow forecasts and project schedules. The Finance Department and Budget Office regularly review expenditures and authorized unissued debt to ensure the City is following its formal debt policies and regulatory bonding requirements.

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Of the 15 major capital initiatives described in this report, all but one had total appropriations of at least $15 million between FY21 and FY26. The one exception is the Sewer/Stormwater – Alewife Program, which totaled $10 million during FY21 to FY26.

We included this one because most of this program’s funding supported the construction of the stormwater tank on the Tobin Montessori and Darby Vassall Upper Schools complex, even though it was appropriated as a separate initiative and only included a $10M appropriation during FY21 and FY26. An earlier appropriation in FY20 of $15 million for this program also supported the stormwater tank, which we have included to present a fuller picture of the cost.

For clarity, this report groups capital initiatives into two categories—projects and programs— defined below: • Projects are time-bound, individual initiatives such as the streets improvements to Massachusetts Avenue and the Fire Headquarters. • Programs are continuous initiatives, such as Complete Streets or sewer and stormwater work in The Port. Some programs have annual appropriations to support continuous improvements, like water works construction.

Others have appropriations every few years as different phases of the program begin and are completed. An example of this is sewer and stormwater work in The Port. For programs with annual appropriations, this report only includes appropriations and expenditure data between FY21 and FY26. For a couple of projects and programs with appropriations every few years, the report includes data from FY19 and FY20 to present a fuller picture of the cost. A section dedicated to each of the 15 initiatives follows.

We have included a legend explaining the colors in the graphs for each initiative in the appendix, followed by two summary tables with 1) capital appropriations for each initiative by fiscal year and 2) appropriations and expenditure data by initiative and funding source. Expenditure data is as of March 31, 2026.

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Multi-Use Paths Program – Linear Park and Danehy/New Street

FY20-FY26 appropriation and expenditures, ($M)

The Multi-Use Paths Program supports the design and construction of paths that provide off-road bicycle and pedestrian travel for people of all ages and abilities, consistent with the City’s commitment to Complete Streets and Vision Zero, as well as Envision and the Cambridge Bicycle Plan. Funds appropriated between FY20-26, including an FY23 loan authorization for $15 million, primarily support work on Linear Park and the Danehy / New Street Path.

These appropriations are anticipated to cover the full cost of Linear Park and Danehy / New Street Path. Construction is underway for drainage, lighting, landscaping, and surface enhancements at Linear Park. Linear Park was originally constructed in 1984 and is a well-loved neighborhood park and a key connection for people biking and walking. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2027. Danehy / New Street Path is in the planning and design process.

It will be located on a former rail right-of-way that the City acquired in 2016 and will provide community members a safe off- road path to Danehy Park, residential buildings along New Street, Fresh Pond Mall, and the existing Watertown Greenway multi-use path. The FY23 budget book program page is named “CDD: Multi-Use Paths-Danehy/New Street Path, Linear Park and Grand Junction Path.” The FY23 appropriation will primarily support Linear Park and Danehy/New Street Path.

Remaining funds after the completion of these two projects may be used to support Grand Junction in the future.

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Buildings – 221 Mount Auburn Street Project

The 221 Mount Auburn Street Project funds the planning, permitting, risk-reduction protocol development, traffic management plan, demolition, and safe disposal of debris of the nine-story Riverview Condominiums at 221 Mount Auburn Street. In 2023, structural deficiencies were identified in the building and engineers discovered the building was not built as originally designed. Following analysis and inspection, the Condo Trust concluded repairs were not feasible and the building would need to be demolished.

However, the Riverview-in-Cambridge Condominium Trust was unable to secure the financing necessary to perform the demolition. Due to the public health and safety concerns with the building, the City intervened in 2025 to complete the demolition. After the demolition is complete, the City will recover all costs associated with the project by billing unit owners for their share of the cost and placing liens on the property. On June 23, 2025, City Council appropriated $20 million in Free Cash for this project.

As demolition is nearing completion, the estimated cost to complete this project is under $13 million. Remaining funds will return to Free Cash.

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Buildings – Fire Headquarters Project

The Fire Headquarters Project supports the design and reconstruction of the Fire Station Headquarters at 491 Broadway, which was constructed in the 1930s. The project will improve the working and living conditions within the building, including enhanced safety features, updated locker rooms, updated dormitories, and improved kitchen facilities. It will also include a fossil fuel-free heating system and solar panels to align with the City’s Net Zero goals. Funds appropriated in FY19, FY20, FY23, and FY24 will cover the total project cost. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027.