Green Line Extension Meeting

I’ve heard pessimistic rumblings about the Green Line extension recently so I think the public meeting scheduled for this Wednesday would be good to attend.

 On Wednesday, January 25, 2012, a Green Line extension meeting on Phase I: Early Bridge and Demolition Package will be held at the Somerville High School.

 On the docket are discussion of:

• Reconstruction and widening of the Medford Street bridge in Somerville
• Reconstruction and widening of the Harvard Street bridge in Medford
• Demolition and site preparation at 21 Water Street in Cambridge
• and more.

The Green Line Extension meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012 at the Somerville High School, 81 Highland Avenue, Somerville MA.

Green Line photo courtesy of Pylon757

Small cars get price break at Cambridge hotel garage

The Boston Herald had a great article today about the garage at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge.  Turns out the Charles Hotel parking garage gives a break to small cars. 

Small cars get a price break at the Charles Square garage.  Vehicles that are less than 12 feet in length get the first hour free and a reduced rate.  Minis and Smart Cars – of which there are plenty in Cambridge – meet the size limits.

I think this is a super idea.  Anything that encourages more small cars on the road – or in the garage - is a good thing in my book.  Way to go Charles Hotel.

A few years ago I was running late for an appointment in Brookline.  I was trying to park in a parking garage and was stuck behind a line of big, hulking SUVs that were too large for the cramped spaces in the garage. As I fumed, we slowly crawled  through the garage as drivers tried every which way to get their supersized vehicles into spaces that were simply too small.  Their SUVs were also too tall – making me gasp since it looked quite possible that an SUV top would be sheared off at any moment.  It’s a sight that I’ve never forgotten.

It has struck me as odd that in an era of ever bigger vehicles, garages and parking lots, seemingly in attempt to squeeze every possible dollar from their operations, have made parking spaces tighter and smaller.  It sure does lead to some nasty confrontations – as I’ve witnessed more than once at the Porter Square shopping center lot for example. 

Whether on the road or in the garage, I’d rather be behind a small car than a behemoth.  Maybe it’s time to give small cars perks all over town – make the prime parking lot spaces small, give reduced rates at meters for small parking spaces.

Cambridge Pothole Hotline

I’m not sure why it took half a dozen jaw-clacking trips over – through – into the pothole on Sherman Street before I remembered the Cambridge Pothole Hotline.

Cambridge makes it super simple to report a pothole.  You can fill out the form online like I just did or call the Cambridge Pothole Hotline at 617-349-4854.  When you fill out the online form you’re given the option of providing your email address and / or phone number in order to be updated on the pothole’s status.

I’ll be delighted to get that call – that Sherman Street pothole is a doozy!

Bus Service Only for Weekend Red Line Commuters

Starting tomorrow, weekend T commuters will have only bus service on the Red Line past Harvard Square.

The MBTA is doing maintenance work on the Red Line T line for the next 17 weekends.  From November 5, 2011 through March 4, 2012, T riders will be bused between Harvard Station and Alewife Station on the weekends.

For North Cambridge residents and visitors, “taking the T” will mean taking the bus on Saturdays and Sundays.   Porter Square, Davis Square and Alewife will be bus-only on the weekends.

New Bike Rack in Front of our Real Estate Office on Huron Ave

It took a flyer on a condo building bulletin board (note: if you’re looking for a condo to buy you should always read the bulletin board notices – you never know what you’ll find out about the condo association) for me to figure out that the new bike parking post outside our office is part of a city-wide project in Cambridge. 

Hundreds of bike parking posts are being installed all over Cambridge.  Actually the city calls them post-and-ring bicycle racks.

Bicycling is a popular mode of transportation in Cambridge and Somerville.  Chances are good too that you’ll see some pretty funky bicycles around town.

Some of the more unusual bikes you’re likely to spot include:

• Recumbent bicyclists – cyclists ride close to the ground, on an elongated low bike – it’s sort of a cross between a bike and a recliner
• Bikes that are a mix of exercise equipment and bicycle – the pedals look like those big oar-like things – and the bicyclist stands up – there is no seat.  It’s like a traveling elliptical machine according to someone who knows quite a bit more about gym equipment than I do
• Big wheel bikes – these are amazing – and a bit scary – to see since the riders are way high up with one enormous wheel and a much smaller one behind.  The correct term for these – and it’s not uncommon (but always fun) to see them around Cambridge – is high wheel bicycles or high wheelers. 
• And watch out for the bicylist we spotted the other day - his bike seat is a vintage plastic rocking horse

Snowbound bike in Harvard Square

 It feels like summer … well, maybe spring in Cambridge this weekend. It’s been a welcome reprieve from snow and cold temperatures for a couple of days. Funny how high 30s and low 40s can seem so warm.

Many Cambridge residents took advantage of the milder temperatures and finally started digging out cars encased in several feet of icy snow.

This bicyclist however has yet to get back on the road. Wise move probably – many streets still don’t have full lanes cleared yet making city bike riding even more treacherous than usual.

Cambridge Segway riders by City Hall

Segways in Cambridge   I did a double take when I saw this group of Segway riders near City Hall in Cambridge today.  Given their yellow vests and where they were at first I thought it was a new mode of transportation for municipal employees.

Turns out that Segway tours are offered in Cambridge by Boston Gliders.  I wouldn’t mind taking the tour in order to test drive one of these.  Not sure if I can sign on if the helmet’s required - never mind the vest – ugh.  I grew up in the era of three-speed bikes and no helmets and have yet to don protective headgear.

Segways look like fun though.  They seem like a great option for real estate agents – we spend a lot of time in city traffic – errands to the fire station, property showings around town, visits to the Registry of Deeds – a Segway seems like just the ticket.  And I’ve long had a vision of 75 Cambridge real estate agents zipping around the city on Segways for our weekly tour of new listings – but my coworkers will take some convincing.

Longfellow House on the new Cambridge parking sticker

Longfellow House On The New Cambridge Parking Sticker  I love the new picture of the Longfellow House on Brattle Street that’s on the 2010 Cambridge parking sticker. 

Jim Landfried took the winning photo in the 2010 Resident Parking Permit Photo Contest.  There’s a slideshow with all of the entrants on the city’s website - more than 80 beautiful photos of Cambridge through the seasons.

Tomorrow is the last day to get your parking sticker – or risk a ticket on Monday. 

To get a Cambridge parking permit you need:

• Your current automobile registration showing your car garaged at your Cambridge address
• $8.00 and money to pay any outstanding parking tickets
• A current utility bill sent to you at your Cambridge address - or -
• Two pieces of current mail sent to you at your Cambridge address (magazines don’t count)

The name on your proof of residence mail or bills must match the name on your vehicle registration. 

The Traffic and Parking Department is at 344 Broadway, Cambridge MA 02139

Don’t forget – tomorrow’s Friday so the office is only open from 8:30 am to noon.  Get there early and get in line.