Porter Square Neighbors Association

Lesley University will be hosting the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) conference this August 12-15. Over 400 people from around the world will be walking around the Porter Square area for several days, shopping, eating, and drinking in local establishments.

http://www.ieata.org/conference.html

Lesley University will be hosting the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) conference this August 12-15. Over 400 people from around the world will be walking around the Porter Square area for several days, shopping, eating, and drinking in local establishments.

http://www.ieata.org/conference.html

Lesley University will be hosting the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) conference this August 12-15. Over 400 people from around the world will be walking around the Porter Square area for several days, shopping, eating, and drinking in local establishments.

http://www.ieata.org/conference.html

Lesley University will be hosting the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) conference this August 12-15. Over 400 people from around the world will be walking around the Porter Square area for several days, shopping, eating, and drinking in local establishments.

http://www.ieata.org/conference.html

Location: North Cambridge Senior Center, 2050 Massachusetts Avenue

Revised parking plan for Kaya Hotel

The Kaya hotel project wants to change their underground parking plan to use valet parking, mechanical stackers and tandem parking to reduce the footprint of the garage, the amount of excavation, the cost and the length of the construction schedule without reducing the number of spaces provided.

Neighbors and the Cambridge Traffic Parking and Transportation department have expressed concerns over reliance on 100% valet parking, possible backup onto Massachusetts Avenue at peak times, and conflict with other activities such as taxi pickup and dropoff. As a result of these concerns, the planning board has continued their hearing to a later date to be determined.

Architect Michael McKee has agreed to present the revised plan to us, answer questions, and participate in a discussion. His summary is below.

St. James / Oaktree condominium update

Susan Hunziker will give an informal status report.

Ears to the ground

Share your own news about what's happening around Porter Square.

Location: St. James Church

A big public meeting will be held at the church on Thursday, September 10. Oaktree and the church will present the project, and we have encouraged them to invite someone from the city traffic department. This is likely to be the only event of its kind. They were reluctant to push it out much farther, and probably intend to file their plans and such with the Planning Board shortly thereafter.