Denise Simmons, Mayor, City of Cambridge

In an interview with Invest:, Mayor E. Denise Simmons of Cambridge shared how, under her leadership, the city continues to focus on sustainability and economic growth, emphasizing affordable housing and workforce diversity. Mayor Simmons prioritized essential services, small business support, and community-building initiatives for a positive future.

What are some key accomplishments of your office?

One of my long-standing accomplishments has been increasing access to city government, particularly the mayor’s office. When I first became mayor in 2008, I noticed City Hall wasn’t as inviting as it could be. I see City Hall as the people’s place, so I rearranged it to better reflect that notion. I turned a small 12 by 16-foot room, previously the community room, into the mayor’s office, and the much larger, much grander office space became the Mayor’s Parlor. As the first African American woman mayor in the Commonwealth, I understood the importance of making City Hall welcoming to everyone. This space, historically significant for organizing and celebrating, especially for people of color and women, has hosted hundreds of events from weddings and funerals to graduations and meetings. I’m pleased that subsequent mayors have kept it open.

How have you worked to ensure greater representation and inclusivity in city government?

Another key achievement was ensuring better community representation in City Hall’s artwork. Historically, the walls were filled with portraits of white men who served in public office. I made sure to include women who made significant contributions to our city, such as Saundra Graham, the first African American woman on the City Council, and Sara Garcia, the first Latino woman on the school committee. We even included a representation of the Native American woman who played a vital role in our city’s history by selling this land to the English colonists, allowing modern-day Cambridge to come into existence. Additionally, I initiated the first LGBTQ+ Town Hall meeting in Cambridge, which led to the creation of the LGBTQ+ Commission. During my time on the school committee, I introduced the position of LGBTQ+ family liaison, the first of its kind in the Commonwealth.

What efforts have you made to engage the community and other key groups in civic life?

I’ve continued my work with the interfaith community, engaging them in civic life. Our houses of worship provide various services, and I ensure they remain partners in serving our citizens. For example, we’re currently discussing the migrant situation and how to support temporary shelters in the city. My key accomplishments focus on empowerment and access, making City Hall more inclusive and representative of all our citizens.

One initiative I’m proud of is our “Walk-In with the Mayor” sessions held on the second and fourth Fridays. No appointment is necessary, making it easier for constituents, especially those without access to a phone or internet, to speak directly with me or my staff about any issues they face. This is a level of access that demonstrates that this truly is the People’s building, and people from all walks of life are afforded the opportunity to meet with their mayor.

Another project we’re working on is the Cambridge Museum of History and Culture. This museum aims to celebrate and educate about the diverse communities in Cambridge. We’ve curated exhibits on the African American community, the 20th anniversary of marriage equality, and soon, the Latino/Hispanic community. The museum will also serve as an economic driver by harnessing tourism, bringing people to Cambridge to learn about our history, and encouraging them to explore our restaurants and shops. We hope that over the next decade, it will become a robust and engaging experience for both residents and visitors.

What are the key economic drivers in Cambridge?

Cambridge, with a population of about 118,000 in 6.2 square miles, emphasizes sustainability, including green buildings, renewable energy, and reducing our carbon footprint. Last year, we ensured that sustainability initiatives such as the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance did not inadvertently harm residents, especially seniors facing significant costs from transitioning from fossil fuels to electricity.

Cambridge is a major hub for tech and life sciences, with top employers like MIT and the Cambridge Innovation Center. Life sciences, one of the fastest-growing sectors, is expected to grow by 32% in the next few years. High-paying jobs such as senior software managers and scientists are common, with salaries ranging from $122,000 to $191,000.

We work hard to ensure diversity and affordability in our community. Out of 57,000 housing units, 8,000 are affordable. However, the median home value is $1 million, making it challenging for many to live here. We support initiatives like the Affordable Housing Overlay to maintain a socio-economically diverse community. Additionally, we have about 3,000 new affordable housing units coming online to help sustain middle-income residents and keep Cambridge diverse and inclusive.

What initiatives does the City of Cambridge have in place to support its workforce?

We have several programs aimed at maintaining a diverse labor force. MIT and Harvard graduates fill many life science positions, but we also have programs with community partners like Just-A-Start, which offers biotechnical and biomedical training to our residents. These programs help people move from lower to middle income by providing them with the skills needed to enter the workforce.

Additionally, we work closely with labor unions to fill the pipeline with skilled labor jobs such as plumbers, pipefitters, woodworkers, and painters. We particularly focus on getting women and people of color into these fields. This year, I will be working with the local building trades to encourage more students, especially women, to pursue non-traditional jobs that pay family-sustaining wages.

What are your plans to improve essential services in the city?

We’re focusing on managing multi-modal transportation to be bike-centric and pedestrian-friendly while still accommodating vehicles. We encourage alternative transportation without harming ground-floor retail businesses, balancing methods to ensure access to small businesses and efficient movement around the city.

In public safety, we’re continually improving services for our diverse population. We’ve developed the CARE program, a non-police response department for mental health crises, drug addiction, noise, and domestic violence, ensuring individuals get the necessary services when armed response may be counterproductive. Our police department, led by Commissioner Elow, focuses on de-escalation and community engagement, with bicycle officers interacting with the community to provide support without intimidation. Our unique training module with Northeastern University emphasizes a people-centric approach to policing.

Regarding infrastructure, we work to ensure our streets are safe, clean, and passable. We’re responsive to community needs, promptly addressing issues like potholes and trash collection. Cambridge is fortunate to have the resources to provide essential services and maintain a high quality of life for our residents.

What strategies has your administration implemented to support small and minority-owned businesses?

Supporting minority businesses has been a priority. When I first came to office, I developed a minority and women-owned business directory to ensure the city does business locally. The directory helps residents find and support minority and women-owned businesses, fostering a strong local economy by leading deliberately and by example. We aim for a dollar to circulate within our city three times before it goes elsewhere.

We buy locally for everything, from office supplies to event catering, setting an example and encouraging others to do the same. During COVID, we provided grants to help small businesses navigate challenges, and we hold regular meetings with our business associations to learn how the city can better support them and overcome the challenges they face. 

What is your outlook for Cambridge over the next two to three years, and what are your top priorities?

My outlook is positive. My top priorities are expanding our affordable housing portfolio, ensuring wage equity with a focus on fair pay for women, and enhancing community engagement. Programs like universal Pre-K, starting in September, need to be well-publicized to maximize their benefit. Housing, wage equity, and community building remain central to our efforts.