35 Cherry Street
ABOUT
Located in the Port neighborhood of Cambridge, Massachusetts, we propose transforming a 10,593-square-foot vacant lot at the corner of Cherry Street and School Street into new affordable homeownership units. The development will include 2 and 3-bedroom homes designed with families in mind.
Project Manager: Madeline Lee
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 617-918-7540
Public Benefits
- 100% Affordable Homeownership
- Sustainability and Climate Resiliency
TEAM MEMBERS
Just A Start
Founded in 1968, Just A Start is a community development corporation with a mission to promote equity to create access to stable housing and build pathways to economic opportunity. We build equitable and thriving communities by guiding individuals and families on their path to economic stability through affordable housing, career training, and comprehensive support services. For over 50 years Just A Start has served Somerville and Cambridge through housing assistance, career training, youth education, and financial opportunity programs. We have developed over 600 rental apartments of affordable family housing and 130 affordable homes. Our workforce development programs include Biomedical and IT training and the YouthBuild program. We also offer financial coaching and tax prep through our Financial Opportunity program, and comprehensive support for families towards financial and social well-being through the Families Moving Forward program. Annually, Just A Start serves over 2,600 people.
Davis Square Architects, Inc.
Davis Square Architects, Inc. is an award-winning architectural design and planning studio with a simple mission: to create excellent design, to develop long-term relationships with clients, and to help build viable communities. Davis Square Architects, Inc. has been a leading advocate and designer of affordable home-ownership and rental housing since 1984.
L.D. Russo, Inc.
L.D. Russo, Inc. was founded in 1977 by Lou Russo. Lou’s family were Italian immigrants to Boston and he grew up in Waltham. The company first started as a painting business, and Lou grew the business to include general contracting, sitework, and property development. For nearly five decades, we have successfully delivered projects across commercial, multi-family, municipal, educational, and affordable housing markets throughout Massachusetts. Continuing the family legacy, Lou’s daughter Elena Russo and her husband, Nat Coughlin, have stepped into leadership roles. Since Elena rose to CEO, the company has become a woman owned business and embarked on a new path of growth and expansion to better serve our clients and community. Our recent work includes many high-performance affordable housing projects. These projects have reinforced our ability to deliver quality housing that meets the highest standards of efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability.
TIMELINE
PLANS, REPORTS, & MEETINGS
Click here to read press release from the City of Cambridge Community Development Department.
- Swing by for updates on Just A Start’s 100% affordable homeownership development located at 35 Cherry Street in the Port neighborhood of Cambridge. Just A Start and Davis Square Architects will be available to answer questions about the project.
- Wednesday, April 2, 2025
- 5:30 – 7:30 pm
- 55 Norfolk Street Cambridge, MA 02140
- Click here to RSVP
- Just A Start will provide an informational update to the Planning Board on March 18, 6:30 pm (zoom)
- Visit the City’s website for public meeting information.
- Click HERE to view the presentation slides.
- View the presentation slides:
- Access the meeting recording HERE
- passcode: eGc2&Zkx
- Access meeting notes:
Frequently Asked Questions
Construction is expected to start in October-November of 2025 and will complete around November 2026.
We are proposing 10 new units in three buildings of 3-4 units each.
Just A Start held 3 community meetings in the spring and summer of 2024 to discuss the project and proposed designs. Just A Start held another event for community feedback in April 2025. Just A Start plans to hold another meeting with neighbors once we have selected our General Contractor in the early fall of 2025.
Applications for 35 Cherry Street will open in the Fall of 2026.
These units will be a part of the City of Cambridge’s Affordable Homeownership Program. The City’s Affordable Homeownership Program is for first time homebuyers and targets households making up to 100% the Area Median Income (AMI). The current Cambridge income limits in dollar amounts are available here.
Cambridge residents will receive priority for these homes and are encouraged to apply.
Each home will have its own outdoor space. This includes yards at ground level, roof decks and balconies. Green spaces will be private to residents. We are looking at ways to preserve existing trees on site and add new landscaping.
Due to the flood resilience standards we must meet, all living spaces will be constructed several feet above ground level and there will not be a basement. Ample storage will be provided within and outside of units.
While preference to residents of a certain neighborhood can not be given due to Fair Housing regulations, Just A Start will implement affirmative marketing approved approved by the City of Cambridge to strongly encourage applications from existing residents of the Port neighborhood.
If you are interested in homeownership opportunities now, we encourage you to check you eligibility for housing programs offered in Cambridge here, and to apply to the City of Cambridge’s Homeownership Resale Pool available here. To receive notifications about all affordable homeownership lotteries in Cambridge, please fill out this form.
Contact US
Have questions or feedback? Fill out our contact form below to leave a message and receive project updates!
35 Cherry Street