Harvard Allston Community Meeting Notes

Honan - Allston Branch Library

March 10, 2005

The future of Barry's Corner was discussed at the meeting on March 10th. While looking at slides of other retail/commercial "squares" in the Boston area. Participants brainstormed the possibilities for Barry's Corner. These possibilities focused on uses, transportation, character, with a category for "other" items. Participants were then given five "dots" each to place next to the items of most importance to them. (It should be noted that some items were added during the "dotting" process and not everyone had a chance to vote for them)

Uses
Positive	# of dots
Hair (barber)	4
Ice cream shop (near Smith Field)	5
Organic Food Store	4
Doctor's Office	3
Museums	6
Garden Shop - Mahoney's	0
Clinic - existing one needs more space	0
Fabric store	1
Bakery	6
Housing over commercial (like the North End)	2
Restaurants (upper scale)	1
Super Stop & Shop	0
Bike shop	0
Movie Theaters	3
Performing Arts Theaters	11
Existing uses at Barry's Corner good/used (gas station, dry cleaner, Dunkin Donuts)	4
Bookstore	5
Coffee	0
Community Center, open to the community, w/performing arts, public meetings (there is existing demand)	11
Gallery	1
Community Swimming facility	2
Baseball, 12 month program, #1 sport in the community, over 400 kids in Allston/Brighton	3
Group fitness space in neighborhood	3
Spiritual Center	1
Pharmacy	1
Hardware (Arsenal Mall takes care of)	0
Negative
Allston has too many restaurants. Lots of food opportunities.	0
Character	# of dots
Old Harvard Square was a charming	0
Public spaces like Harvard Square: chess, music, seating, street performers, fountain	7
Don't like tall buildings (Central 12 story)	9
River view from Barry's corner	5
Big clock in Barry's corner (spells out Barry's corner)	4
Transportation	# of dots
Want to walk	5
Public transportation (T stop)	14
Parking required (for theater, community center, retail, other)	1
Bike path (through Allston and to Harvard Square)	9
Wide sidewalks	1
Underground parking	4
Vs.
Parking lots	9
Negative
No parking	0
Streets are too wide	0
Not convenient	0
Parking is currently a problem	1
Other	# of dots
Need lower rents for retail and housing	5
Infrastructure lacking in N. Allston (No fire department, concerns of public safety, especially with density of area)	10
Coolidge Square has unique retail destination	1
Winthrop Park in Harvard Square	2
Festival/Music Area	2