Broad Canal Subdistrict Zoning & Development

General

What other questions and suggestions do you have about this project?

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Connections

What is your connection to the site?

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I live nearby
I work nearby
I commute past the site
I’m just generally interested

Private: What best describes you?

We want to make sure our project appeals to and reflects the community. Which of the following *best* describes you? (some responses overlap but we are most interested in hearing which you most relate to).

Poll responses won't appear in the comments. Select one response.

I’m between the ages of 22-38
I’m an empty nester
I have young children
I’m over 60 years of age

Topic 1 of 9

Showing all comments for Broad Canal Subdistrict Zoning & Development

Bethany Ericson

Oct 20, 2020

What other questions and suggestions do you have about this project?

include trees. we need shade in east cambridge.

joseph rose

Oct 21, 2020

Preferably large diameter trees, not just more of the tiny curbside street trees

DWS

Oct 28, 2020

Bethany, we agree that landscaping is essential to bringing this area to life. Trees are a great way to not only provide shade, but also increase the appearance of the area.

Cindy Mathers

Jan 4, 2021

This must include several large caliper trees.

phil rinehart

Oct 8, 2020

There is a small area of green space at the edge of the Broad Canal that we're looking to transform into a family-friendly park or playground. What types of features and uses should be included so that it is attractive to families with kids?

Trees for sure. Also the part of Kendall street that sweeps around (running North) in front of Genzyme could stand to be narrowed (it's a single lane anyway), and the sidewalks on both sides could include... Read more...

joseph rose

Oct 8, 2020

Agreed better pedestrian flow with more trees. Consider reducing size and use of Broad Canal Way (possibly a raised shared street or eliminate entirely)

DWS

Oct 27, 2020

Phil, that is a great thought. In a predominately developed area, pockets of landscaping can really transform an area, which is our goal with this site.

O. R. Simha

Dec 2, 2020

Are there any other types of retail that you think are currently missing in this area of Cambridge?

book shop

Pawel Latawiec

Nov 25, 2020

Street activation is planned as part of the project. What uses and activities would help create a vibrant and fun area to spend time?

By far the best way to increase activation and vibrancy is to just increase the number of people in the neighborhood, which means to include a residential component in the proposed zoning. The next-best... Read more...

Cindy Mathers

Jan 4, 2021

A residential component to this project is essential.

joseph rose

Oct 28, 2020

What other questions and suggestions do you have about this project?

Volpe just presented their plan for their parcel last night to the Planning Board. Their plan included a pedestrian, multimodal promenade along the length of Broad Canal Way just across Third Street. It... Read more...

Cindy Mathers

Jan 4, 2021

Would be great to use this Broad Canal Way as a shared street/ promenade to extend both sides of the street and create a public plaza.

Hugh Russell

Oct 8, 2020

What other questions and suggestions do you have about this project?

provide spaces for street musicians

joseph rose

Dec 16, 2020

What other questions and suggestions do you have about this project?

Thinking about community benefits, access to this project and the example of the broad canal bridge, it would be a great benefit to the community and to access to this project to add a cantilevered or... Read more...

Cindy Mathers

Jan 4, 2021

This is a great idea to help create more access to the site and provide a much needed community benefit.

O. R. Simha

Dec 2, 2020

Street activation is planned as part of the project. What uses and activities would help create a vibrant and fun area to spend time?

reduce noise from Power station

Cindy Mathers

Jan 4, 2021

Perhaps some acoustical screening

Ama W.

Apr 15, 2021

reducing noise from the steam plant would be amazing. there is so much nature in this area, and it is a beautiful peaceful spot, but the noise from the plant is a constant background.

Rachel Cohen

Dec 1, 2020

What other questions and suggestions do you have about this project?

The existing kayak rental, Paddle Boston, would be greatly enhanced by an indoor office/restrooms, changing areas, lockers. Look at the Community Boating facility in Boston. As part of Chapter 91 you... Read more...

DWS

Dec 17, 2020

Rachel, thank you for your thoughts! We agree that an indoor kayak space would greatly benefit not only Paddle Boston but also those renting kayak equipment. We are also looking at ways in which we can... Read more...

Karla Talanian

Nov 16, 2020

Are there any other types of retail that you think are currently missing in this area of Cambridge?

Most lunch places are designed for take out. We lack places to have coffee / lunch meetings where you can comfortably talk with one or two others. Shops or activities that would encourage after 5pm activity... Read more...

DWS

Nov 18, 2020

Thank you for the input Karla!

Commenter via Text

Nov 8, 2020

What would encourage you to spend more time along this section of Main Street?

Build a public exercise facility that includes an Olympic pool, and also a good brewery, like trillium or Cambridge brewing company.

Cindy Mathers

Jan 4, 2021

Brewery is a great idea.

Ama W.

Apr 15, 2021

I do not think we need a brewery in this area! This is a quiet natural area close to the river. It should not become another Seaport circus

Andy Mockler

Nov 1, 2020

What would encourage you to spend more time along this section of Main St?

Restaurants and shopping

Bernie C

Dec 30, 2020

A couple of smaller music venues (100-250 capacity) for the local (and very large) music communities to comp a little bit for all the venues that were lost to developers and the pandemic in recent years... Read more...

Bethany Ericson

Oct 20, 2020

Street activation is planned as part of the project. What uses and activities would help create a vibrant and fun area to spend time?

Art/craftspeople selling, outdoor performance programming, cafe tables not cars.

joseph rose

Oct 21, 2020

Along those lines. Close the section of Broad Canal Way to cars to make a large plaza.

Bjorn Poonen

Oct 19, 2020

Trees, and nature in general to serve as an antidote to the huge amount of development in the area

DWS

Oct 21, 2020

Bjorn, we agree that landscaping is essential to the site!

Ama W.

Apr 15, 2021

I agree with Bjorn. And to DWS: landscaping is not necessarily nature, in fact I have witnessed local landscaping destroy much of the nature in the area already.

Carolyn Fuller

Oct 8, 2020

What would encourage you to spend more time along this section of Main St?

I love the boardwalk behind Main St over the canal. That is where I walk when I'm in that area but I would imagine that wider sidewalks and more trees would draw me to Main St.

joseph rose

Oct 8, 2020

Agree. Narrow Broad Canal Way- create a wider plaza or raised shared space with an abundance of large tree canopy (not the small, curbside tree wells) for shade and to promote a pedestrian promenade.

Ama W.

Apr 15, 2021

I hope the boardwalk is preserved, it is so charming

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