The CHA has a number of small and large-scale projects in the planning stages. With question about CHA’s planning activities, please contact Clara Fraden, Director of Planning and Development, at cfraden@cambridge-housing.org.
Large Scale Planning Projects
Modernization of Corcoran Park
Corcoran Park is a 153-unit family development in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood of Cambridge, which is in need of a comprehensive redevelopment. The site has significant drainage issues, and the existing buildings meet neither current building standards, nor the needs of current residents. Corcoran Park also presents the opportunity to add additional units to the CHA portfolio. CHA is advancing planning activities in 2024 and 2025, with hopes of starting the first phase of construction in 2026.
Roosevelt Towers Mid-Rise
Roosevelt Towers Mid-Rise is located on an approximately 0.69-acre portion of a 4.16-acre site in the East Cambridge neighborhood. Originally constructed as state-assisted public housing in 1950, the overall site includes six low-rise buildings and one mid-rise tower, but this project involves just two of the low-rise buildings and the mid-rise tower. The eight-story mid-rise building (state site) was modernized and converted to a Section 8 subsidized property in 1982, and the low-rise buildings (federal site) were comprehensively modernized and converted to federal public housing in 1995.
Last significantly renovated over 40 years ago, the mid-rise is now in need of a major modernization. Many of building systems are outdated and in failing condition. The building is constructed of brick masonry with a concrete back-up wall. The brick masonry is damaged at many points along the building’s surface, causing water infiltration. Windows throughout the building lack proper sealants. These conditions impact residents as frequent leaks and draftiness, and cause the inefficient use of energy in the building.
CHA is planning for the gut renovation of the mid-rise, as well as the expansion of the building in order to provide additional affordable housing on-site. This work will allow for the CHA to relocate the existing elevators to the center of the building and allow all units to be served by two elevators. Right now, most floors are served by only one elevator, which is very problematic when the elevator breaks down or needs repairs.
In 2024, CHA was awarded $4.6 million through HUD’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program – Leading Edge, which is an important first step towards funding the project. CHA is hiring an architectural firm to lead the design process in fall 2024. The design and planning process is expected to span 2025-2026.
Weaver Apartments
Since 1973, Weaver Apartments has provided elderly and disabled residents with an affordable home to live in North Cambridge. However, the property is now over 50 years old. Building systems must be replaced because they are beyond their useful life, leading to energy inefficiencies and resident discomfort. The existing building poses several challenges to meeting the needs of residents. Units are small with insufficient kitchen, bathroom, and storage space. They also lack accessibility features such as roll-in showers. Ground floor units are at risk of flooding due to climate change. CHA is in the early stages of planning for a modernization of Weaver Apartments that responds to these challenges.
Walkling Court
Walkling Court is a Medford Housing Authority state public housing site with nine residential buildings composed of a total of 144 units for seniors and people with disabilities. The two-story walk-up buildings are currently inaccessible, with both floors reachable only via stairs. In addition, the site has high capital needs as the buildings have not been comprehensively restored since their construction in 1963.
In two phases of construction, the 144 units at Walkling Court will be replaced with 238 deeply affordable apartments. CHA is acting as the project’s co-developer. Phase I of construction will be a 198-unit mid-rise building for seniors and people with disabilities, while Phase II will consist of a 24-unit mid-rise family building and 16 units of family townhouses. The new site configuration will allow existing residents better accessibility and larger apartments while creating new housing opportunities for low-income seniors and families.
Sherman Gardens
Built in 1971, Sherman Gardens is a state public housing complex for seniors/disabled households owned by Belmont Housing Authority (BHA). Building systems and finishes are over 50 years old and need extensive upgrades to meet today’s needs. Unit layouts are significantly undersized relative to current standards and make it difficult for elders to age in place. The community’s configuration as six two-story walk-up buildings also makes it functionally obsolete for the elderly/disabled population that it serves.
BHA has selected CHA to partner with on the redevelopment of the Sherman Gardens site. The project is expected to include an energy efficient, mid-rise elevator building and increase the number of affordable units on site. The current plan calls for 135 units of 100% affordable housing after redevelopment. Planning efforts are underway, with construction expected to start at the earliest in 2026.
Smaller Planning Projects
While a number of larger scale projects are underway, the P&D Department continues to support CHA’s Operations and Maintenance teams by completing smaller, more routine capital improvement projects. A selection of recent small capital improvement projects is shown below.
| Development | # of Units Impacted | Work Item | Estimated Cost |
| Manning Apartments | 205 | Install security gate on garage | $50,000 |
| JFK Apartments | 69 | Replace trash compactor | $350,000 |
| LBJ Apartments | 177 | HVAC Upgrades | $225,000 |
| JFK Apartments | 69 | HVAC Upgrades | $75,000 |
| Manning Apartments | 205 | HVAC Upgrades | $225,000 |
| Willow Street Homes | 14 | Exterior Painting and Siding Repairs | $175,000 |
| River Howard | NA | Construction of Maintenance Garage | $215,000 |
| JP Apartments | 104 | Balcony Trim Repairs | $400,000 |
| JP Apartments | 104 | BDI Antenna | 160,000 |
| 21 Valentine Street | 6 | Roof Replacement | $55,000 |
| Hingham Street | 4 | Selective Exterior Modernization | $285,000 |
| Corcoran Park | 50 | Exterior Step Repairs | $300,000 |
| Washington Elms | 175 | Paver and Walkway Upgrade/Repairs | $400,000 |
| 6-8 Fairmont Street | 10 | Stormwater and Parking Lot Upgrade | $75,000 |
| Putnam Gardens | 122 | Fencing repairs and replacement | $200,000 |
| Various Locations as needed | Misc. site, interior or exterior upgrades | $75,000 | |
| Total | 936 | $3,265,000 |