City Votes New Study For East Cambridge Redevelopment Plan

The City Council Monday night passed a resolution calling for a study of a revised Donnelly Field Renewal Project.

The resolution, approved by a 6-3 vote, grants funds to the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority to restudy the section of East Cambridge known as the Donnelly Field area. The CRA will then submit to the Council "a revised tentative plan" for urban redevelopment.

The original Donnelly Field Project was defeated by the Council last June. On Feb. 28 the Federal Housing and Home Finance Agency withdrew the $20 million federal grant for redevelopment.

Vellucci Votes for Study

Councillor Alfred E. Vellucci, representing the East Cambridge area which would be affected by the proposal, voted for the study Monday. However, he warned, "Just because I am voting for a study today doesn't mean I'll vote for the plan when that come up." Vellucci told the Council, "I rejected the original Donnelly Field Project because it would take 1000 to 2000 families' homes--I still think that's wrong."

Speaking for the three councillors who opposed the study, Andrew T. Trodden said, "If we vote this resolution, we have a moral obligation to go forward with the plan that results from it."