Cambridge Church in Partnership with Developer

St. James Episcopal Church in Cambridge, MA, was falling apart.  The church had used what money it had to make repairs, but it seemed to be without options.  Then a developer, Oaktree Development, offered a partnership.  The developer would build a four-story, 78,000 square foot development on the St. James property.  St. James would keep the church and get money to make the needed repairs.  Everyone wins, except the neighbors who aren’t thrilled with the proposed development.  In addition to concerns about congestion in the neighborhood, the neighbors lament the loss of the church’s garden, one of the few green spaces in the area.  The project still needs approvals from city, state and church officials.  The Boston Globe describes the project and the controversy.

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