Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Acquires the Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House Parking Lot for Future Homeownership Project
CRA has purchased the parking lot of the MFNH, located at the intersection of Pine and Eaton Streets.
Cambridge, MA — [October 7, 2026] — The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) has acquired the parking lot owned by the Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House (MFNH), located at the intersection of Pine and Eaton Streets, with plans to develop mixed-income homeownership housing on the site.
The acquisition marks an important step in the CRA’s commitment to the City of Cambridge to support the creation of 20,000 square feet of below-market homeownership housing. It also advances the CRA’s goal of facilitating mixed-income housing development on underutilized properties and lots, as identified in the Central Square Demonstration Plan adopted in May.
As a next step, the CRA will explore development concepts for the site and initiate a community engagement process to gather input from neighbors and community members to help shape the future of the property.
“The development of the site presents an opportunity to create much needed mixed-income homeownership housing in Cambridge, while also providing resources to invest in the sustainability of the Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, a longstanding community anchor in The Port,” said Tom Evans, Executive Director of the CRA.
The acquisition is the result of a longstanding partnership between the CRA and MFNH, that began in 2015 through the CRA’s Forward Fund Capital Grant program. In 2018, the CRA provided additional assistance to MFNH as the organization began planning the rehabilitation of its community facility and historic house. Through that ongoing collaboration, the CRA and MFNH developed an approach that would create new housing opportunities, while leveraging the value of the parking lot to help support MFNH’s facility renovation. Proceeds from the sale will allow MFNH to continue investing in their historic building and community facility, and the essential programs and services they provide to the community.
“Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House has always believed that a strong community needs both a place to gather and a place to call home,” said Selvin L. Chambers III, Chief Executive Officer, Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House. “Partnering with the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority on this project means our neighbors could soon have both — new mixed-income homeownership housing steps from the resources and services MFNH has provided for generations. We're grateful for the CRA's continued partnership, and excited to see this corner of The Port become a model for what thoughtful, community-centered development can achieve.”
The CRA will begin a community engagement process this winter to ensure that community members’ voices continue to shape the future of its newly acquired site as a housing project. Sign up for the email list to stay updated here.
About Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA)
The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) is dedicated to enhancing quality of life in Cambridge through strategic redevelopment and urban planning initiatives. Established in 1956, the CRA plays a vital role in revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering economic development, and promoting sustainable growth. With a commitment to community engagement, the CRA collaborates with residents, businesses, and local organizations to build community infrastructure, catalyze economic opportunity, and create vibrant public spaces that reflect the diverse needs of the Cambridge community. For more information, visit the CRA website or follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram.
About Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House (MFNH):
The Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House was originally founded in 1902 as a settlement house dedicated to supporting immigrant and working-class families in Cambridge's Port neighborhood. Today, the mission of the Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House is to provide integrated community services that empower individuals and families to overcome challenges, reach their potential, and achieve their goals. Through their Food Pantry and Community Engagement Program, MFNH helps thousands of community members throughout the Greater Boston area build pathways to stability and growth. For 124 years, MFNH has been a place where people gather, sometimes to get assistance with food or learn new skills, and sometimes to share resources and expertise. Everyone is welcome, and everyone is needed, to make this house what it is. For more information, visit the MFNH website.
