BOSTON - Mintz and ML Strategies were recognized with the prestigious Nicholas Humber Award for Outstanding Collaboration by the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) at the 30th Annual EBEE Awards in Boston. This honor was given in acknowledgement of significant contributions to DivcoWest's Cambridge Crossing (CX) project, which involves the redevelopment of 43 acres of former industrial land and rail yards into a dynamic mixed-use urban community with a focus on transit-oriented development.

The project incorporates innovative stormwater amenities that engage the public, as well as extensive infrastructure improvements, including the addition of 5,600 feet of new City streets with dedicated bicycle lanes designed to address resiliency concerns associated with projected sea level rise by 2070. Notable utility features include an off-site Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) sewer connection and off-site sewer separation.

Furthermore, the CX project integrates various modes of transportation, including the relocation of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Lechmere Station to the site and the extension of both the Minuteman Bikeway and Somerville Community path. Additionally, elements of "urban archaeology" are incorporated through the reuse of granite blocks discovered during excavation and the use of heavy timbers that reflect the site's former rail use. The development also aims to promote equality and inclusivity by incorporating open spaces and naming roads after community leaders like Gertrude Wright Morgan, a resident of Cambridge.

The group involved in the project worked closely with multiple stakeholders, including the MBTA for the station relocation, MWRA for sewer considerations, MassDOT for access and improvements to the Gilmore Bridge and O'Brien Highway, and the Cities of Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston to establish pedestrian and bike paths connecting various neighborhoods.

Under the guidance of Scott Ford, Litigation Practice Chair, and Will Hill, Co-Chair of the Construction Law Practice, Mintz and ML Strategies provided counsel as trusted advisors to DivcoWest, a real estate investment firm deeply involved in the construction, development, and leasing aspects of the CX project. The team, consisting of Rebecca Raphaelson, Amanda Clairmont, Kevin Mortimer, and Amy Pearlman, offered comprehensive guidance on construction and design agreements, dispute resolution, risk mitigation, and various other construction-related matters. In addition, Rebecca Lee, Chair of the firm's Real Estate Development Practice, and Steve Silveira, Senior Vice President of ML Strategies, played a pivotal role in the relocation of the Lechmere MBTA station, a century-old landmark, among their other contributions. The project was further supported by accomplished professionals, including Nancy Adams, Co-Chair of the Insurance Practice, and Elissa Flynn-Poppey, Chair of the Government Law Practice, Brendan Lowd, Geoff Smith, Alexander Civetta, Michael Molstad, Chelsea Wood, Laura Bange Stephens and  Adrianne Zahner.

The EBEE Awards, organized by the EBC on a yearly basis, acknowledge exceptional achievements in the fields of environmental management, energy resources and management, and climate change. The awards ceremony takes place at the EBC's Annual Award Celebration, which is usually scheduled for June. By honoring outstanding individuals and organizations, these awards aim to motivate companies, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and environmental experts to act as exemplars and actively support the EBC's mission and goals.