While inclusionary zoning has created thousands of new affordable homes across Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, the economics of homebuilding have shifted significantly over the past few years.

The Mamdani administration plans to add more housing to the Financial District project.

The Yafa Bakery & Café plans an expansion within Somerville, taking over the old Posto restaurant site at 187 Elm St., Davis Square. Yafa, famous for its Mediterranean pastry and the kindness of its customer service, opened in June 2022 at 594 Somerville Ave., Ward 2, in... The post Yafa Bakery & Café looks to convert empty space near Davis Square into its second location appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

As the River Street Reconstruction approaches substantial completion this fall, several traffic pattern changes will be taking effect. Over the next few months, workers will install new signage, pavin...

A full commitment by the MBTA for a long-wanted pedestrian and bike bridge was only part of the excitement Tuesday as the Planning Board heard and approved plans for a whole 42-acre neighborhood to be built over decades in the Cambridge Highlands. Also new to the plan... The post Massive Healthpeak plan and its bridge get the green light, with an MBTA ‘urban rail’ stop decision three years away appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Almost never is a café visit only about coffee, and that is particularly true at Sofra, a café-deli-restaurant-destination where the foods of Ana Sortun and Maura Kilpatrick are the draw. For preference, I sit on the deck-veranda-porch a few steps above the street and take a deep... The post Revelations on taste: New thoughts on coffee and food at Sofra appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Top Boston housing officials are devising a strategy to rein in soaring costs over the next few years.

Hello neighbors, I was recruited to run for office in 2017 by tenant rights advocates as a first-time candidate for office and long-time business owner in Union Square. I was a true political outsi…

I was recruited to run for office in 2017 by tenant rights advocates as a first-time candidate for office and longtime business owner in Union Square. I was a true political outsider, unseating a 15-year incumbent who had spent 14 years in office without a challenger. At... The post JT Scott: Announcing my resignation as Ward 2 councilor appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

The controversial plan in Somerville had called for a building standing as tall as 26 stories in the low-slung neighborhood.

The longest red light on Cambridge and Somerville streets will keep drivers and riders waiting a full 2 minutes, 30 seconds (spoiler alert, it’s in Somerville’s Union Square, and is a full 36 seconds longer than even the longest red light in Cambridge).  The longest green light... The post These are the longest red and green lights in Cambridge and Somerville. Guess which square has it worst. appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

The mayor of Boston is on the news again. In each interview, her voice is warbling and unsure, yet each word conveys her utter grief over her friend’s death. For weeks, she has told anyone who will listen that she “will never get over it,” and that... The post Does mayor Wu actually feel sorry about her dead co-worker appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Nicholas Marchuk is a local author and engineer. His work is available at major retailers and on his website, nicholasmarchuk.com. Comments and questions can be directed to his contact form and may be responded to in this publication. The post Zoning Amendments to Promote Sensible Neighborhood Development appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Trying before buying is a common tip for people considering an e-bike. They can range in price from $2,000 to $9,000 and require a lifestyle adjustment. Community Pedal Power, a nonprofit founded in 2023 by Cambridge-Somerville area bike advocates, has a backyard e-bike library with 30 vehicles... The post Borrow an e-bike, from folding models to family cargo haulers, from Community Pedal Power appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.