$ Twenty Four Million

Harvard Crimson
Harvard, Residents Approach Accord

University and Allston days away from agreement; $24 million in benefits at outset

Published On Wednesday, January 30, 2008 12:13 AM

By BRITTANY M LLEWELLYN

Crimson Staff Writer

After months of negotiations over dollar amounts and community programs, Boston and Harvard officials say they are days away from signing an agreement that will allow construction of the University’s Allston science complex to commence.

The agreement—a legally binding document that outlines the benefits the University must provide to the neighborhood over the next decade—is the last obstacle in the way of Harvard breaking ground on what will be its 350-acre campus in Allston.

The decision to grant the University approval to construct the 589,000 square-foot complex comes after over nine months of community meetings that have resulted in an increase of proposed benefits from $21 million to $23.9 million. Harvard officials have also established a $500,000 fund to be used for education and health projects for the neighborhood.

“We think that this robust set of benefits related to the science complex will help us advance our partnership with the neighborhood,” said Harvard’s Director for Community Relations in Boston Kevin A. McCluskey ’76. “We look forward to working with the city to develop a master plan for the neighborhood and the many good things that can come from that.”

The science complex, which will house Harvard’s Stem Cell Institute, will consist of four buildings connected by glass sky bridges. The complex will utilize environmentally friendly techniques to keep greenhouse gas emissions at least 50 percent below the national standard.

In addition to the education and health programs, funds have also been earmarked for workforce and employee development, a housing trust fund, and the creation of two neighborhood parks.

The University has already repaired sidewalks along Western Avenue.

Ray Mellone, who chairs the Harvard Allston Task Force—a mayor-appointed group of Allston residents—said he was optimistic about what Havard’s expansion would mean for his neighborhood.

Mellone said that Harvard’s financial and educational prowess would improve the community and allow it “to grow and become more rooted.”

But despite the University’s promises, some residents continue to feel that the programs and funds will not be enough to substantially improve the neighborhood.

Harry Mattison, who is also a member of the task force, said that he had “tremendous doubts” that the benefits will directly impact the community.

In the past, Mattison, along with others in his community, asked the University to establish and fund a kindergarten through eighth grade school and community center instead of making physical improvements to the neighborhood.

“The city should be able to repair its own sidewalks instead of having to ask for the money from Harvard,” he said.

He added that “trees and sidewalks are nice” but that the University should focus on bringing businesses to Allston to fill vacant properties that Harvard has acquired over the years.

“Harvard has a moral obligation to purchase property without sapping so much life out of the community,” he said.

In the past, University officials have maintained that they are committed to working with Allston residents, as Harvard expands into the community for at least the next 50 years.

Completion of the science complex is scheduled for 2012.

—Staff writer Brittany M. Llewellyn can be reached at bllewell@fas.harvard.edu.