Government Releases Cambridgeport Funds

The Federal government yesterday unfroze nearly $5 million in funds allotted for Cambridge's Cambridgeport Urban Renewal Project, raising hopes that the program may not be doomed after all.

Governor Furcolo advised Mayor Thomas McNamara that he had conferred in Washington with Richard L. Steiner, Urban Renewal Commissioner of the Home and Housing Finance Authority, who agreed to release the funds which have been frozen since April 1. Steiner also agreed to extend the Oct. 4 deadline previously set for preliminary plans, thus providing further opportunity for Cambridge to receive Inner Belt Route funds.

Planning on the large project has been held up by uncertainty about the location of the Inner Belt Route through the east part of the city, but Furcolo explained that release of the Federal funds would allow coordinated planning on the road.