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Crimson staff writer

Benjamin Isaac

Latest Content

Massachusetts Hall
City Politics

Cambridge DSA, Sobrinho-Wheeler Demand Harvard Cough Up $100 Million in PILOT Payments

In the 2023 fiscal year, Harvard paid the City of Cambridge $4.3 million in lieu of property taxes. Some activists — including a sitting city councilor — are demanding the University cough up $96 million more.

Cambridge City Hall
Cambridge

Trump Wants to Deport Millions of Undocumented Immigrants. Cambridge Isn’t Planning to Cooperate.

Vice Mayor Marc C. McGovern doubled down on the city’s commitment to honoring Cambridge’s status as a sanctuary city, which limits its cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Cambridge City Hall Participatory Budgeting
City Politics

City Council Acknowledges Massachusett Tribe as ‘Original Inhabitants’ of Cambridge

The Cambridge City Council acknowledged the “Massachusett Tribal Nation as the original inhabitants of Cambridge” and pledged to establish a memorial for the tribe and hang a plaque in City Hall.

Bike Lanes Banner
City Politics

Here Are All Cambridge’s Bike Lane Projects — And Where They Stand

Cambridge’s bike lane politics are not only contested but complicated, with a flurry of deadlines, delays, and competing proposals. Here are the different bike lane projects in progress in Cambridge — and where they all stand.

Cambridge City Hall and School Committee Joint Meeting
City Politics

Cambridge City Budget Facing ‘Inflection Point,’ Officials Say

As fears of austerity and budget cuts have dawned on Cambridge officials, the City Council and School Committee met Monday to discuss the city’s shaky fiscal position.

Multifamily Housing
City Politics

‘Neighborhood Representatives’ Urge Cambridge City Council to Hit Brakes on Upzoning

For months, Cambridge officials and politicians have worked to advance a proposal to eliminate single-family zoning citywide. But pushback from neighborhood leaders suggest that the policy may be headed for rockier waters.

Aerial View of Cambridge City Hall
City Politics

‘I Don’t Want to Die’: City Council Moves Up Bike Lane Rollout Amid Cyclist Outcry

More than 120 Cambridge residents voiced their concerns for biker safety at Monday’s City Council meeting, where councilors voted to move up the deadline for bike lane expansion from 2027 to 2026.

Central Square
City Politics

City Planners Propose Allowing 18-Story Housing Developments in Central Square

The Cambridge Community Development Department presented their recommendations to upzone Central Square up to 18 stories to the City Council on Thursday.

Memorial Drive Cars and Biker
City Politics

City Council Asks Mass. DCR to Lower Speed Limit, Reduce Memorial Drive Lanes

The Cambridge City Council asked state officials to lower the speed limit and implement a “road diet” of fewer lanes on Memorial Drive, just two weeks after bicyclist John H. Corcoran ’84 died in a fatal crash on the parkway.

Cambridge City Council Chambers
City Politics

Cambridge City Council Raises Property Taxes Amid Budget Concerns

The Cambridge City Council unanimously voted Monday to raise property taxes by 7.3 percent on residential property and 10.1 percent on commercial property amid concerns about the sustainability of the city’s growing budget.

Cambridge City Hall
City Politics

Growing Cambridge Budget Spooks City Leaders

Cambridge pursued ambitious spending programs using an ample flow of federal relief funds and property taxes for several years. But as revenue streams dry up, the city is going to have to take a hard look at its priorities.

Memorial Drive Weekend Closure
City Politics

‘Wake Up Call’: Council Debates Memorial Drive Revamp Following Fatal Bike Crash

The Cambridge City Council debated adopting a policy order calling on Massachusetts to boost bike safety measures on Memorial Drive, as calls for reform gained traction in the wake of a fatal crash that killed biker John H. Corcoran ’84 last week.

Yi-An Huang Interview
Harvard in the City

Cambridge City Manager Hopeful PILOT Negotiations With Harvard Will End Early

Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang ’05 said in a Friday interview he was optimistic that Cambridge’s ongoing negotiations with Harvard for a new PILOT agreement will conclude by the end of the calendar year.

99 Bishop Allen Drive
City Politics

Cambridge to Explore Continuing Guaranteed Income Program Despite Budget Fears

The Cambridge City Council voted unanimously to explore a successor to the city’s guaranteed income pilot program during its Monday meeting, even as Councilors have raised concerns about the city’s growing budget.

Cathie Zusy
City Politics

Cathie Zusy To Fill Vacancy on Cambridge City Council

The Cambridge Election Commission confirmed Catherine “Cathie” Zusy will fill the vacancy on the Cambridge City Council Thursday following the sudden death of Councilor Joan F. Pickett on Aug. 30.

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