Cambridge Committee Hears Plan for 18-Story Residential Towers in Central Square

CAMBRIDGE -- October 10, 2024, Cambridge committee reviews preliminary Central Square rezoning plan allowing 18-story residential towers. The City Council's Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing October 10 on a Community Development Department framework that would set an 18-story residential height limit in the heart of Central Square and eight stories at neighborhood edges, with all additional height tied exclusively to housing production. Senior urban designer Brian Gregory presented findings from more than a year of outreach including three public meetings, 11 focus groups, and approximately 10,600 postcards mailed to residents and businesses. Public commenter Dan Totten of Bishop Allen Drive warned that beloved single-story cultural venues including the Middle East and Cantab Lounge are "sitting ducks" for demolition under the new heights, while Carolyn Majid of Reed Street argued the plan risks "turning the square over to market rate developers." Vice Mayor Marc McGovern, participating remotely, pushed back on calls for six-story limits, saying five stories are already permitted and unbuilt because the economics "do not pencil out." Staff said unit-yield projections at various heights will be presented next month, with a formal zoning petition to be drafted over the winter and brought to the full council in spring 2025.