headshot of Dennis Carlone in city hall; crop from city council's photo

Dennis Carlone

He/Him

Currently
City Councillor
Also
Architect/Consultant
Election history
3rd term in office

More about Dennis Carlone

Dennis Carlone has been an architect and urban designer in Cambridge for over 30 years. In 1978, he was the Director of Design on the East Cambridge Riverfront Project, which developed the CambridgeSide Galleria and surrounding area. It received the American Institute of Architects Award for Excellence in Urban Design.

Incumbent
Yes
Education
Rensselaer Polytechnic; Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Age
76 years, 1 month
Born in 1947
Voter Registration
Oct. 4, 1980

Where does Dennis live?

Address
Rents (Previously owned a unit on Martin Street) at 9 Washington Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140 #6
Valued at approx. $820,000

What are their housing positions?

Proposal Supported?
2072 Mass Ave
AHO #2
AHO #1

Local Endorsements

Q&A

Interviews with the candidate

Cambridge Citizen's Coalition Survey

Questions about recent zoning petitions, city manager contract, and "housing challenges"

Cambridge Citizen's Coalition Survey

Questions about recent zoning petitions, city manager contract, and "housing challenges"

Cambridge Bike Safety Pledge 2021

They asked candidates to sign a pledge, which starts: "I support rapid implementation of the citywide network of protected bicycle lanes..."

Cambridge Bike Safety Pledge 2021

They asked candidates to sign a pledge, which starts: "I support rapid implementation of the citywide network of protected bicycle lanes..."

Vision Zero Coalition 2021

Reduction in traffic injuries and deaths

Vision Zero Coalition 2021

Reduction in traffic injuries and deaths

Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition 2021

Distribution of funds, non-profits and their position in Cambridge

Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition 2021

Distribution of funds, non-profits and their position in Cambridge

Quotes

We're the 10th densest city in the country, which means we have less public space on average than most dense cities.

Dennis Carlone, Important Issues Video

There are two visions of the future of our city. One vision is of high tech luxury skyscrapers where only the rich can afford to live. The second is one where communities thrive and residents can afford to raise a family, run a small business and not be forced out of the city.

Press

Articles about the candidate

The Harvard Crimson Dennis J. Carlone Runs for Re-Election to Cambridge City Council

Carlone co-sponsored an amendment in February to restrict City Council campaign donations by people "seeking to enter into a contract, seeking approval for a special permit or up-zoning, seeking to acquire real estate from the city, or seeking financial assistance from the city."

Carlone called for campaigns to be publicly financed in this election as well.

Oct. 28, 2021 — Sara Dahiya, Michal Goldstein
The Harvard Crimson Dennis J. Carlone Runs for Re-Election to Cambridge City Council

Carlone co-sponsored an amendment in February to restrict City Council campaign donations by people "seeking to enter into a contract, seeking approval for a special permit or up-zoning, seeking to acquire real estate from the city, or seeking financial assistance from the city."

Carlone called for campaigns to be publicly financed in this election as well.

Oct. 28, 2021 — Sara Dahiya, Michal Goldstein
The Harvard Crimson Incumbent City Council Candidates Focus on Housing Crisis, Voter Engagement in Reelection Campaigns

"The one thing we could have done differently [about covid-19] is help small businesses and people with rent earlier than we did," he said. "We have done that, but it could have been, frankly, in the first month."

Oct. 21, 2021 — Sarah Girma, Jennifer L. Powley
The Harvard Crimson Incumbent City Council Candidates Focus on Housing Crisis, Voter Engagement in Reelection Campaigns

"The one thing we could have done differently [about covid-19] is help small businesses and people with rent earlier than we did," he said. "We have done that, but it could have been, frankly, in the first month."

Oct. 21, 2021 — Sarah Girma, Jennifer L. Powley
Wicked Local Cambridge Cambridge can do better on affordable housing

Based on decades of award-winning urban design work in Cambridge, I believe the project design has serious flaws. Affordable housing should blend seamlessly into its neighborhood, but this nine-story metal tower will appear alien and out of context in a historic neighborhood characterized by low-slung brick and wood buildings, 98% of which are six stories or less.

... The BZA is now the last line of defense in determining whether and how to modify the design of the 2072 Mass. Ave. development.

Jan. 5, 2021 — Dennis Carlone
Wicked Local Cambridge Cambridge can do better on affordable housing

Based on decades of award-winning urban design work in Cambridge, I believe the project design has serious flaws. Affordable housing should blend seamlessly into its neighborhood, but this nine-story metal tower will appear alien and out of context in a historic neighborhood characterized by low-slung brick and wood buildings, 98% of which are six stories or less.

... The BZA is now the last line of defense in determining whether and how to modify the design of the 2072 Mass. Ave. development.

Jan. 5, 2021 — Dennis Carlone
Cambridge Day East Cambridge in development crosshairs: Councillor assesses three projects underway

Every time we exempt a project from existing zoning, our laws become less meaningful.

June 24, 2019 — Dennis Carlone
Cambridge Day East Cambridge in development crosshairs: Councillor assesses three projects underway

Every time we exempt a project from existing zoning, our laws become less meaningful.

June 24, 2019 — Dennis Carlone
Wicked Local Cambridge Councilors look to address aggressive turkeys in Cambridge

Councilor Dennis Carlone said the issue of wild turkeys harassing older residents came up during a neighborhood meeting he attended.

“After the meeting I walked out, and it was like the turkey was waiting for me,” Carlone said. “So they’re clearly strategizing, and I agree we have to think of some humane way to deal with this.”

Sept. 19, 2017 — Adam Sennott
Wicked Local Cambridge Councilors look to address aggressive turkeys in Cambridge

Councilor Dennis Carlone said the issue of wild turkeys harassing older residents came up during a neighborhood meeting he attended.

“After the meeting I walked out, and it was like the turkey was waiting for me,” Carlone said. “So they’re clearly strategizing, and I agree we have to think of some humane way to deal with this.”

Sept. 19, 2017 — Adam Sennott
Wicked Local Cambridge How many marijuana dispensaries does Cambridge need?

Councilor Dennis Carlone agreed with both Maher and Kelley, saying he would like to reach out to appropriate departments to find out how many dispensaries are needed in Cambridge. The last time they had this discussion, Carlone said, the councilors all agreed they needed to look at a real district instead of making case-by-case decisions.

“I believe there aren’t that many [dispensaries] in the state. But how many do we need in our city? How many do we want between Central Square and Harvard Square and Alewife? It seems counterproductive,” he said.

Aug. 3, 2016 — Natalie Handy
Wicked Local Cambridge How many marijuana dispensaries does Cambridge need?

Councilor Dennis Carlone agreed with both Maher and Kelley, saying he would like to reach out to appropriate departments to find out how many dispensaries are needed in Cambridge. The last time they had this discussion, Carlone said, the councilors all agreed they needed to look at a real district instead of making case-by-case decisions.

“I believe there aren’t that many [dispensaries] in the state. But how many do we need in our city? How many do we want between Central Square and Harvard Square and Alewife? It seems counterproductive,” he said.

Aug. 3, 2016 — Natalie Handy

Campaign finance

How much the candidate has raised and spent

$23,679
Current balance
$11,984
Balance at the start of 2021
$29,143
Raised in 2021
$17,448
Spent in 2021