Harvard Master Planning Public Meeting

Honan Allston Branch Library, June 15, 2005

Topic of Discussion: A Progress Report Update on Harvard’s Master Planning process

Presenters: David McGregor, CRP, Kathy Spiegelman, HP+AI, and Harris Band, HP+AI

The focus of the meeting on June 15th was a progress report on the Master Planning process to date. David McGregor provided an overview of the work to date. This included a discussion of the current options being considered for open space, water, transportation, academic buildings, housing, and mixed use areas. The Cooper Robertson and Partners Progress Report can be found on the Allston website (www.allston.harvard.edu). The following are questions, comments or suggestions from/by various neighbors in Allston:

Q: Can you explain the water table problem in the area?

David explained that area, especially around the Harvard fields, have a very high water table that we need to address. One possible way to do this is by using the canal that was shown in the overall options.

Q: The plans shown tonight don’t include the Brighton Mills area. What is planned for that area?

That area is outside the geographic area that CRP has been asked to look at for the Master Plan. It is unlikely that there will be academic uses there. Harvard will work with the Allston neighborhood when planning for the future of the Brighton Mills area.

Q: It looks like one of the undergraduate housing options requires the relocation of athletics. Are you moving athletic buildings?

Depending on the undergraduate option selected, athletic buildings will have to be relocated.

Q: Will Harvard be seeking public funds for the river crossing options?

It is clear that any projects on the River would have to be done in collaboration with the State, since Harvard does not own the land. No decisions have been made as to which, if any options will move forward and no funding decisions have been made.

Q: Smith Field is not really used by Allston residents; it is more of a regional resource.

Q: What is the time frame of the undergraduate housing?

All of the undergraduate housing options require relocation of some other Harvard uses. So prior to any housing being built or available, relocation of the existing uses would have to occur. So it is unlikely that the undergraduate housing will be the first project.

Q: The Charles River Watershed Association supports improved access to the River and sees opportunities with the Harvard Master Planning process. Just want to flag a couple of potential concerns about development on the River: viewscapes on the River, scale of buildings, avoid canyonization of the River, want to maintain the “democracy” of the River (i.e. doesn’t seem like it’s owned by Harvard).

Q: Concern mentioned about the River and maintaining civic life.

Q: What is Harvard doing about the vacant buildings on Western Ave in the next 5 years? Can you get rented short-term? Is burying of SFR limited to the Weeks bridge? It seems like the canal goes nowhere.

Harvard has been trying to rent out space, some of the vacant space is tied up in long term leases, many tenants are not interested in short term leases, the Career Center should be opening up this summer in the old BlockBuster site. Burying SFR at Weeks and at other locations like at Everett are all options being considered.

Q: If you move academic programs to Allston like the GSE what will happen to the land in Cambridge?

Many of our programs in Cambridge and the LMA are severely constrained by limited space. The space that is made available by any moves to Allston will be filled with academic programs.

Q: Is the Sears Building site part of Phase I?

The Sears Building is not part of Phase I. Due to constraints on the land all around the site, access is very difficult and limited