kendall square Redevelopment
CRA Board members and staff celebrate the topping off of 290 Binney Street, a commercial building which is part of the BXP Life Sciences Center. Photo Credit: BXP
Overview
The CRA is committed to thoughtful management and development in Kendall Square, to ensure the area remains a hub for innovation, and grows as a mixed-use community. This work involves managing key projects and partnerships within the Mixed District (MXD) that contribute to the area’s vibrant future as described in the following pages. In addition, the CRA works on numerous smaller efforts and project collaborations. For example in 2024, the City completed the construction of Binney Park on 40,000 SF of land the CRA had transferred to the City in 2015. This park extends the Grand Junction multi-use trail that runs through the CRA’s Grand Junction Park. The CRA monitors the active programming of public spaces in the MXD District, and collaborated with BXP and the Mayor’s Office to host three public history exhibits. The CRA also hosted activation activities at the CRA-owned civic plaza at Third and Binney. Read on to explore the central projects within the MXD that embody the purpose of the CRA’s stewardship of the Kendall Square Urban Redevelopment Project (KSURP).
Kendall Square Development Projects
Within the Kendall Square Urban Renewal Boundary, there are a number of recent reconstruction and planning projects.
Projects on Hold:
250 Binney Street
Completed Projects
Several notable transportation initiatives are currently in progress within Kendall Square, including the redesign of Binney Street, Broadway, and Galileo Way.
Additionally, the CRA will be issuing a Kendall Square Urban Renewal Implementation Plan, which monitors the organization's progress in enhancing five key focus areas: transportation, open space, economic development, sustainability, and housing.
Kendall Square urban redevelopment plan
Kendall Square is the center of Cambridge's innovation economy and continues to evolve rapidly. The district is becoming more active and mixed-use, with growing ground floor retail, streetscape improvements, redeveloped open spaces, and new residential buildings and office/R&D space. The CRA has been instrumental in the transformation of Kendall Square since the 1960's when the CRA and City of Cambridge adopted the Kendall Square Urban Renewal Plan.
The KSURP guided the CRA to transform 42-acres of urban blight into vacant land suitable for development. Using the tools of a redevelopment authority granted through the Massachusetts State Legislature's Chapter 121B, the CRA acquired land, relocated businesses and roadways, demolished buildings, and made public infrastructure improvements. In 1978, the CRA approved Boston Properties as the Developer of the KSURP area. Through development agreements (Parcel 2 & Parcels 3 & 4) between Boston Properties and the CRA, construction of the first new buildings in Kendall began. Click here for more details on the history of Kendall Square's redevelopment.
Since 1965, the KSURP plan has been amended a number of times by the Cambridge City Council and CRA Board. The most recent major amendment to the plan was passed in December, 2022. KSURP Documents can be found here.
IDCP Amendment II Proposed Massing - Image Credit, Pickard Chilton Architects and Ars Longa
Latest Approved infill development concept plan (IDCP)
In December of 2022, the CRA Board and Planning Board approved Amendment II to the Infill Development Concept Plan (IDCP) for the MXD District of the Kendall Square Urban Redevelopment Plan (KSURP).
The IDCP is a concept plan required to be created and approved by the CRA and City, as a result of the major KSURP Amendment 10 passed in 2015. The concept plan details the urban design, circulation, and open space of the new development in the MXD District. IDCP documents can be found here, and will be completed in four phases.
Phase One includes the completion of Ames Street Redevelopment, including construction of The Proto residential tower and Pioneer Pedestrian Way, 145 Broadway, which will be the new Akamai headquarters, and the creation of Innovation Space at 255 Main Street. Open space enhancements include improvements to the existing Loughrey Walkway (6th St. Walkway) and the addition of a new bike path.
Phase Two involves demolishing and reconstructing the commercial office building at 325 Main Street, and constructing a new residential building at 135 Broadway. The new residential tower will be located on the south side of the existing Blue Garage, and provide approximately 350 new market rate and affordable housing units.
Public benefit for Phase Two of the IDCP plan include enhancements to the east/west pedestrian connectors in the block bounded by Broadway, Binney and Galileo Way, as well as a new Broadway Park (South Park) in front of the Blue Garage. As part of the 325 Main Street project, the Kendall Square Roof Garden will be completely redesigned and a large public staircase and new elevator will be constructed to connect Kendall Plaza with the Roof Garden via a new second-level public terrace.
IDCP improvements after full build-out
Phase Three incorporates the demolition and reconfiguration of the North side of the Blue Garage for another smaller residential building. This reconstruction will also allow for improvements to Binney Park (North Park).