Federico Muchnik
He/Him
- Currently
- Filmmaker; Adjunct, Lesley University
- Election history
- 1st time running
He/Him
In June, Federico launched a change.org petition against a plan to build a seven story building on Walden Square Road which originally comprised nearly 100 affordable units. Building on his local advocacy, Federico launched his campaign to tackle what he sees as excessive density which threatens the character of the Cambridge he grew up in.
Federico is also a filmmaker, whose work includes both fiction and documentary films. His recent documentary films focus primarily on housing development and Cambridge history.
In general, Federico opposes developments larger than 8 units or taller than 5 stories outside of main corridors, and wants community input into design as well as density.
I could explain to you why the AHO is bad for the city but your questionnaire leads me to believe you are set in your ways, so why spend time trying to change the very tenet that forms the backbone of your platform?
As with the public’s past victory over a proposed interstate running through our city, today’s flawed AHO presents us with a challenge to come up with a better plan
The photo you're looking at shows two kinds of affordable public housing. On the left, Lincoln Way. On the right, Rindge Towers.
The choice is clear. Where would you prefer living? As we canvassed residents of 21 Walden Square with this question, the answers were unanimous: Lincoln Way.
When someone feels they have a stake in their neighborhood, feel connected to the street, know who lives nearby, can watch their kids play from their window, they become true localists, folks who build community, develop trust in one another, and work towards a long-term sustainable life.
Folks who live in tall buildings managed by absent landlords, folks accustomed to high turnover rates among tenants, folks with families living several to a room on anything above a 7th or 8th floor - these folks mostly want 1 thing: to move away.
Cambridge wants long term multicultural residents from all socio-economic backgrounds.
Neighborhoods are a combination of people and buildings. And buildings. It's not just the people, it's the environment.
| Organization | Cambridge? | Union? | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Citizens Coalition | on Sept. 14, 2023 |
Housing policy, development, governance questions
Housing policy, development, governance questions
Distribution of funds, non-profits and their position in Cambridge
Distribution of funds, non-profits and their position in Cambridge
General. Note: only distributed in downloadable word or pdf documents.
General. Note: only distributed in downloadable word or pdf documents.
"questions about the issues that most impact Cambridge’s low-income populations" (available in several languages)
"questions about the issues that most impact Cambridge’s low-income populations" (available in several languages)
I am writing as a concerned resident. I do not approve of the proposed plan to remove the parking on Mass Ave, and the proposed changes to the traffic patterns. I support the businesses and neighborhoods that rely on Mass Ave as a major roadway for our city. We need a plan for the city that will Improve Safety for everyone, will help Traffic flow, preserve Parking and support Public Transportation and Businesses. If the Bicycle Safety Ordinance will not allow for a plan that meets those goals, the ordinance needs to be changed.
Federico Muchnik, another candidate for City Council endorsed by CCC, left the gathering to briefly speak with protesters, who asked him for his perspective on the candidates and the tweets. He told the protesters to “take it up with them,” and responded to subsequent questions with the Arabic phrase “walaikum salam,” which translates to “may peace be upon you.”
“They should direct their comments to Carrie and Robert, not the CCC,” Muchnik said in an interview. “The CCC has made a selection of candidates, some of whom are running on issues that I disagree with.”
...
In the interview, Muchnik read aloud a comment that he had written on a Cambridge Day article the night before that accused those attacking Winters and Pasquarello of “hijack[ing]” the electoral conversation “away from what the public needs to know about.”
Oct. 2, 2023 — Muskaan Arshad, Julian J. GiordanoFederico Muchnik, another candidate for City Council endorsed by CCC, left the gathering to briefly speak with protesters, who asked him for his perspective on the candidates and the tweets. He told the protesters to “take it up with them,” and responded to subsequent questions with the Arabic phrase “walaikum salam,” which translates to “may peace be upon you.”
“They should direct their comments to Carrie and Robert, not the CCC,” Muchnik said in an interview. “The CCC has made a selection of candidates, some of whom are running on issues that I disagree with.”
...
In the interview, Muchnik read aloud a comment that he had written on a Cambridge Day article the night before that accused those attacking Winters and Pasquarello of “hijack[ing]” the electoral conversation “away from what the public needs to know about.”
“I am against 12 and 15-story buildings in Cambridge,” said Federico Muchnik, adding that he believes “we need to put the public before the developers.”
Sept. 27, 2023 — Muskaan Arshad, Julian J. Giordano“I am against 12 and 15-story buildings in Cambridge,” said Federico Muchnik, adding that he believes “we need to put the public before the developers.”
“You’re effectively doubling the density and you are essentially creating a rather concerning situation,” Muchnik said. “Doesn’t anybody in the city have kind of a say over how this is going to unfold?”
Sept. 22, 2023 — Muskaan Arshad“You’re effectively doubling the density and you are essentially creating a rather concerning situation,” Muchnik said. “Doesn’t anybody in the city have kind of a say over how this is going to unfold?”