Residents Weighs in as Developers Propose Affordable Housing Development at Maximum Height

Capstone Communities and Hope Real Estate Enterprises — the firms behind two existing 100 percent affordable developments in Cambridge — offered residents preliminary details of their first project, 2072 Massachusetts Ave., developed under Cambridge’s Affordable Housing Overlay on Wednesday.

In the first of two mandated community meetings, the development team highlighted plans to maximize the building’s height as they garnered feedback from more than 30 residents in attendance.

The development is permitted to construct 12 stories under the AHO, due to its location on a major thoroughfare. Capstone said it’s committed to exploring heights “up to the maximum,” noting that a concrete decision will be made closer to their second community meeting in November.

“We are going to say the truth, we’re looking at maximizing height here,” said Jason Korb, the founder and principal of Capstone.

The developers entered the meeting with few concrete details for their property — sitting on Massachusetts Avenue near Porter Square — avoiding committing to decisions on height, number of units, and design features before receiving community input.

Looking at months of construction in the near future, residents raised concerns over noise, increased traffic, and access to parking.

Inger Kwaku, a resident of Walden Street — which directly abuts the development — worried residents would be disrupted by the construction, especially those who work remotely.

“One thing that has happened in the post-covid era is a lot of people work from home,” Kwaku said. “So I do have some concern about the residents who live nearby.”

Korb acknowledged the concern, and offered accommodations, including posting a “two week look ahead” to details times in which they expect noise disturbances so residents can plan their days accordingly.

“It is going to be noisy,” Korb said.“That being said, we want to be able to communicate with the community.”

Capstone indicated that they plan to consider construction options that reduce construction time and the amount of noise, such as using modular construction techniques.

Rachel Moore, a resident who lives behind the site of the proposed development, noted that even with the potential downsides, she was in support of the development.

“I have to say, I’m not excited about losing the morning sunlight that we get in our first floor apartment, but I’m willing to make that sacrifice for affordable housing,” Moore said.

“I think that we should go as tall as we can while keeping the building safe for people,” she added.

Before Capstone can break ground, they must comply with AHO requirements which include meeting with the community stakeholders twice and undergoing a design consultation and revision process with the Cambridge Planning Board.

—Staff writer Laurel M. Shugart can be reached at laurel.shugart@thecrimson.com. Follow them on X @laurelmshugart or on Threads @laurel.shugart.

—Staff writer Grace E. Yoon can be reached at grace.yoon@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X @graceunkyoon.