CAMBRIDGE — The City of Cambridge and their partners are taking the next step in the Cambridge Neighborhood Revitalization Plan (the Plan) by launching community outreach and engagement efforts and scheduling public community vision sessions.

The partners want to hear from everyone. Community outreach and engagement will be conducted throughout the planning process and serve as a valuable platform in guiding the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan towards the goals and vision of the community. The community’s voice is so important in this process. “The Community Engagement meetings give everyone an opportunity to be a part of the change we want in our City. I encourage everyone to show up and speak up. If we don’t, who will,” said Victoria Jackson-Stanley, mayor of the City of Cambridge.

Dave Cannon, Ward 4 commissioner emphasized, “I encourage anyone interested in the revitalization of the Pine Street Historic area and the surrounding community to attend our community engagement meetings. The collaborative efforts between the City of Cambridge, Dorchester County, Habitat Choptank and the State of Maryland are moving this much overdue revitalization forward.”

Community meetings are open to the public and the partners are asking all residents, businesses and stakeholders to attend and provide input. Meetings include:
• 1st Community Vision Meeting, Feb. 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Empowerment Center
• 2nd Community Vision Meeting, April 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., location TBD
“We are very excited about the progress we are making through key partnerships in advancing the Neighborhood Revitalization for the City of Cambridge,” said Yvette L. Robinson, housing specialist for the City. “The Community is an invaluable part of that partnership and we are looking forward to the continued conversation and exchanging of ideas that will ultimately grow and benefit this fine community.”

The City wants this process to recognize the vibrant history of this area while creating opportunity for the future. “Remembering the past, embracing the future,” said Ward 3 Commissioner, La-Shon Foster.
The Plan focuses on select neighborhoods to stabilize, redevelop and grow neighborhoods through strategic programs, partnerships and community engagement. Historic Pine Street District is the first target neighborhood. As plans progress, the City will duplicate best practices to additional neighborhoods.

The Plan will serve as the guide for redevelopment and revitalization in the neighborhood and its development is supported by key partners, including: The City of Cambridge, Habitat for Humanity Choptank, Dorchester County, Salisbury University, State of Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and members of the community.
The Plan is being developed with technical assistance from a consultant, Lisa Sturtevant and Associates, and with support from Salisbury University Planning Faculty and Students. It builds on the housing study completed in 2017 and is the next step in creating an actionable list, or “Toolkit” that will suggest specific financial tools and programs, land use tools and regulations, and resource initiatives based on direction received from the community.

The Cambridge Neighborhood Revitalization Plan will be finalized by May 2019. The Plan will be comprised of three key elements:
• Housing Market Analysis – Trends in the Cambridge housing market, including prices, types of housing, vacancy, etc.
• Community Engagement - Ideas, feedback, and collaboration with the Core Group
• Revitalization Toolkit - Financial tools and programs - land use tools and regulations, resource initiatives for investment in the community. Best practices examples from other communities similar to Cambridge.
The City will also launch an additional page to the City website. The Neighborhood Revitalization page will serve as a resource for information and update the progress of the Plan.

For more information on the Plan, community engagement efforts, and the scheduled visioning sessions, contact Yvette L. Robinson, housing specialist for the City of Cambridge, at 410-228-1955.