Friends and neighbors of Central Square:

We imagine your inboxes have been inundated with news and precautions relating to COVID-19. We’re writing from our office in the heart of Central Square to update you on measures we’re taking to support our local businesses and neighbors who are already feeling the ripple effects of the coronavirus acutely.

As you know, many anchor companies and educational institutions have left the Square or instated no-travel policies for their employees. We’re still here. For as long as it’s safe and responsible, our office will remain open. Ambassadors will continue working in the Square, following updated protocol from the City of Cambridge and the CDC. Our Outreach Coordinator is helping facilitate the procurement of public hand-washing stations and safety kits for our housing-insecure neighbors. Since the BID launched this past October, we’ve strengthened our relationships throughout Central Square, putting us in a better position to act and advocate at a time like this.

We will be running a small business promotion to help drive foot traffic to our restaurants and shops. Please follow along with us on Instagram and check in with your local business owners for ways to shop small and smart during this time. The City of Cambridge will be sharing updated information here. We recommend checking in regularly.

It goes without saying there is a lot of need right now. We’re hearing from local businesses that foot traffic and sales are already down. Their employees, many hourly workers, are worried about job security and health insurance. We are working with business owners and nonprofits to understand how we can support them and their staff under these extreme circumstances.

Even in its early stages, this crisis has exposed how fragile our local ecosystem is and how strong our community is. We need and depend on each other. We hope to be a stabilizing, positive force, leveraging our resources and connections in the city to create safety nets for folks where there aren’t any.

For non-emergencies, please feel free to call us at 617.945.2184 or send an email to hello@centralsq.org.

See you in the Square,
Michael Monestime