submit a public records request
Under Massachusetts law, individuals have the right to access public government records. Please note that not all records are deemed public, and there may be associated fees for obtaining them.
How to File a Request
You may submit a request for public records either in person or in writing. Although a written request is not mandatory, it is encouraged to ensure clarity and facilitate more efficient processing.
Please ensure that you provide a clear and reasonable description of the information you are seeking.
Written requests can be submitted in person, by mail, fax, email, or online.
For online submissions, please use the designated link:
Additional Information Resources
Cambridge Redevelopment Authority maintains many documents online. You may want to check the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority website before making a request to see if the documents you are seeking are already available.
The public records maintained include, but are not limited to, the following categories:
Final opinions, decisions, orders, board memos, or votes from proceedings of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board
Reports and Plans
Notices of hearings
Minutes of open meetings
Budget information
Records access officer
In accordance with G.L. c. 66, § 6A and 950 CMR 32.00, requests for public records will be overseen by the Records Access Officer. Tom Evans, CRA Executive Director, has been designated as the CRA's Records Access Officer. His contact information:
Tom Evans, Execute Director
255 Main Street, 8th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142
Ph: 617.492.6800, Fax: 617.492.6804
tevans@cambridgeredevelopment.org
Fee Request Policy
Public records requests are governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Section 10. The Public Records Law allows recordkeepers to charge “a reasonable fee to recover the costs of complying with a public records request.” The state Supervisor of Records generally accepts a one minute per record rate of review. The law provides that redevelopment authorities may charge $25 per hour (or a higher rate if approved by the Commonwealth’s Supervisor of Records), after the first two hours spent on a request. The first two hours of time spent searching for, compiling, segregating, redacting and reproducing a requested record is free.
When you submit a public records request, a team member will perform an initial search to determine how many responsive records the CRA has, if any. If the initial search determines that your request will require a significant amount of time to produce, we will reach out to you within 10 business days with an estimate of the fee and instructions for how to proceed. Fees support the continuing work of providing transparency and producing public records.
Paper copies of records
The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority assumes that you would prefer to receive electronic copies of records, if available. Please note that the cost for black and white paper copies of documents is $0.05 per page.