BXP Life Sciences Center
Project Background
In response to a call from the City Manager and in consultation with the City of Cambridge and the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA), Boston Properties (BXP) proposed an alternative site for the Eversource substation, on the site of the Blue Garage in Parcel Two of the Kendall Square Urban Redevelopment Plan (KSURP), located between Binney Street, Galileo Galilei Way, and Broadway.
On February 3rd, 2021, the Cambridge City Council voted unanimously to approve the MXD Substation Project's Article 14 Zoning and KSURP Amendment 11. After zoning approval, an amendment to the MXD's Infill Development Concept Plan (master plan) was approved in December of 2021. Building design review was completed in April 2022, and the DRDAP process for 290 Binney and 121 Broadway concluded at the end of 2023. Demolition and site clearing activities began in January 2023, and foundation work in April. Construction is ongoing on 290 Binney, the Eversource Substation, and 121 Broadway, with completion dates ranging from Spring 2026 - late 2027. Review of the proposed Center Plaza open space will be ongoing through the spring of 2025.
The renovation of Danny Lewin Park was completed in September 2024.
Spring 2020
Community Outreach Kicks Off
Begin community outreach to understand project interest and gather input.
Jun, 17, 2020
CRA Board Meeting 6/17
Draft language for a zoning petition will be presented. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. All are welcome to attend! - Participate virtually via Zoom: <a href='https://bit.ly/2XojraO'>https://bit.ly/2XojraO</a> or join via phone at 1-646-558-8656 - Meeting ID: 821 5113 5300 - Password: 051321
Jun, 25, 2020
Virtual Open House
Join the CRA, Boston Properties and Eversource in a Virtual Open House to discuss the MXD Substation Development Project!
Jul, 01, 2020
Zoom Open Office Hours
Representatives from the CRA, Eversource, and Boston Properties answered questions on the MXD Substation Development concept.
Jul, 15, 2020
CRA Board Meeting 7/15
Draft Kendall Square Urban Renewal Plan (KSURP) language will be presented. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. All are welcome to attend! - Participate virtually via Zoom: https://bit.ly/2ACoAU5 or join via phone at 1-646-558-8656 - Meeting ID: 864 3832 8322 - Password: 895707
Aug, 04, 2020
East Cambridge Business Association Meeting [8/4]
Aug, 19, 2020
CRA Board Meeting 8/19
The CRA Board reviewed the Article 14 Zoning petition text for the MXD Substation Development project, and Boston Properties and Pickard Chilton Architects provided an updated design presentation.
Sep, 02, 2020
Kendall Square Association Meeting (9/2)
Sep, 03, 2020
Kendall Resident Association Meeting (9/3)
Sep, 16, 2020
CRA Board Meeting 9/16
Article 14 MXD Zoning Petition and Kendall Square Urban Redevelopment Plan (KSURP) language will be presented. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. All are welcome to attend!
Early Fall 2020
MXD Zoning and KSURP Amendment Submission
MXD Zoning and KSURP Amendment Submission to the City of Cambridge and CRA
Sep, 21, 2020
City Council Referred the MXD Petition & KSURP to Ordinance Committee
Nov, 17, 2020
Planning Board Meeting
Planning Board Meeting to discuss the MXD Zoning Petition and KSURP Amendment 11.
Nov, 19, 2020
Ordinance Committee Meeting
The City of Cambridge Ordinance Committee will discuss the MXD Zoning Petition and the KSURP Amendment 11.
Jan, 05, 2021
Ordinance Committee Meeting
The City of Cambridge Ordinance Committee will continue their hearing on the MXD Zoning Petition and the KSURP Amendment 11.
Jan, 11, 2021
City Council Meeting
The Cambridge City Council will discuss the MXD Zoning Petition and the KSURP Amendment 11. For meeting information, click here (https://www.cambridgema.gov/citycalendar/view.aspx?guid=9aceb9a82e6b421a9a8c1b5b45638352)
Jan, 27, 2021
Ordinance Committee Meeting
The Ordinance Committee will meet to discuss the Community Development Department's financial analysis of the MXD Substation Petition. To join, visit the City's website link below: (www.cambridgema.gov/citycalendar/view.aspx?guid=e0c59f302afb4403a655e5fdc93200c3)
Feb, 01, 2021
City Council Meeting
The Cambridge City Council will discuss the MXD Zoning Petition and the KSURP Amendment 11. To participate, please visit this link: https://www.cambridgema.gov/citycalendar/view.aspx?guid=fb482b2172854bd689967e6198fbb212
Feb, 03, 2021
Zoning & KSURP Amendment Approved by City Council
Mar, 30, 2021
CRA Design Review Committee Meeting
Mar, 31, 2021
Community Virtual Open House
Click here to register for the event: http://bit.ly/3bTCxwN
Apr, 01, 2021
MXD Substation Project Open Office Hours
This is designed to be an informal opportunity for the public to provide comments on the MXD Substation plan topics following the Virtual Open House. Click here to register: http://bit.ly/2OZajr8. The topics will be: 12:00 - 12:30PM - Open Space 12:30 - 1:00PM - Sustainability 1:00 - 1:30PM - Urban Design 1:30 - 2:00PM - Transportation
Spring 2021
Eversource submission of application to DPU
Eversource submits substation application to the Department of Utilities (DPU)
May, 13, 2021
Second Community Virtual Open House
May, 18, 2021
Joint Planning Board and CRA Board Pre-Hearing
Late Spring 2021
Eversource Prepares Filing for DPU
Eversource prepares substation site and plan filing for the Department of Utilities (DPU)
Late Spring 2021
Submission of IDCP Amendment
Submit IDCP Amendment to the City of Cambridge and CRA.
Late Spring 2021
Submission of development plan to MEPA
Submit development plan to the Massachusetts Environmental Protect Agency (MEPA) for review.
Sep, 28, 2021
Joint Planning Board and CRA Board Pre-Hearing
Nov, 08, 2021
Kendall Square Urban Redevelopment Plan MEPA Approval
A certificate of approval issued by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs regarding the Notice of Project Change for the Kendall Square Urban Redevelopment Plan was received on November 8, 2021
Dec, 14, 2021
IDCP Amendment II Planning Board Hearing
The Planning Board voted to approve the Infill Development Concept Plan (IDCP) Amendment II.
Dec, 15, 2021
IDCP Amendment II CRA Board Meeting
The CRA Board voted to approve the Infill Development Concept Plan (IDCP) Amendment II.
April 2022
121 Broadway, 290 Binney, and 250 Binney Design Review Approval
Jan, 02, 2023
Demolition of Blue Garage Begins
2023 - 2027
Foundations of 121 Broadway and 290 Binney Street
2023-2026
Construction of the substation vault begins
Dec, 01, 2023
Design Review Completed - 290 Binney and 121 Broadway
Sep, 01, 2024
290 Binney Topping Off
Oct, 09, 2024
IDCP Amendment 3 - Open House
BXP hosted an open house at the Pioneer Room
Oct, 23, 2024
IDCP Amendment 3 - ECPT Presentation
BXP presented the IDCP Amendment 3 to the ECPT, overall applicant received support for moving GFA away from the residential neighborhood.
Nov, 01, 2024
IDCP Amendment #3 Process Begins
Permitting for Phase Four Alternative
Dec, 10, 2024
Plaza Design - Planning Board Hearing
BXP Received Schematic Design Approval for the Center Plaza design.
2025-2028
Construction of substation fitout by Utility
Spring 2026
Estimated Occupancy - 290 Binney
Spring 2027
Estimated Completion of Vault Structure - Eversource Vault
Spring 2027