Bob comments:
1. Introductory.
2. History.
3. Neighbors Complain.
4. Town-Gown Meeting, February 7, 2006.
5. Cambridge Chronicle, February 9, 2006
6. Summary.
1. Introductory.
There was a time through about the mid-20th Century that a number of blocks closest the Charles River near Harvard Square were working class neighborhoods.
The only really significant remaining neighborhood housing area is Kerry Corner, and it is walled off by Harvard buildings in the first block or two.
A useful map is at http://www.cambridgema.gov/~CDD/cp/neigh/maps/nhood_map_7.pdf. This map may be blown up into great detail.
Kerry Corner is bounded generally on the east by Putnam Avenue and on the north by Mt. Auburn Street. The Putnam Avenue portion has a number of one block street between Putnam and Banks Street.
Running from Mt. Auburn Street, the first is the dog-leg end of Green Street which extends from MIT land. The second, connecting Putnam and Banks is Surrey Street, and then comes
The last street is Flagg Street which starts at Putnam and runs past Banks to Memorial Drive. East of the Memorial Drive end of Flagg Street is Corporal Burns Playground.
The extension of Green Street in Kerry Corner is called Grant Street. It runs two blocks, past Athens Street (one block, Mt. Auburn to Grant) and ends at DeWolfe Street.
The extension of Surrey is Cowperthwaite Street. Mid-block between Cowperthwaite and Grant Street to Mt. Auburn from Putnam to the midblock Athens to DeWolf is still neighborhood scale, like the area between Banks and Putnam Avenue.
2. History.
The zoning of most of the area is highly destructive.
In 1976, I saved the 18th Century building at the corner of Banks and Mt. Auburn from destruction by Harvard using fine print in the then valid condo conversion protections in the Cambridge Rent control ordinance.
In 1979, I downzoned the block between Banks Street and Putnam Avenue from Harvard Square zoning to neighborhood zoning and downzoned several parcels between Mt. Auburn and Mass. Ave. as other parts of a major downzoning which significantly protected East Harvard Square.
When we filed the 1979 downzoning we were deeply concerned about Kerry Corner and would have been pleased to include a downzoning for it as well, but there were very major political obstacles in which Roman Catholic residents were concerned about allowing Church development of a parcel on the east side of DeWolf Street.
Harvard then and now was the big threat. The repeated pitch from Harvard was always that they had no intention of construction before about 2005 with no comment after that. In the period starting about 2000, well intended people got shafted by people working closely with the Cambridge development department and a very destructive zoning change was passed.
Harvard is going forward with construction on Cowperthwaite and in a parking lot generally bounded by Grant and Banks.
Harvard's information on the plan can be found at: http://www.riversidehousing.harvard.edu/bgc_housing.php.
3. Neighbors Complain.
At a meeting on January 17, 2006, residents near the Cowperthwaite construction complained of apparently dangerous material being removed from the construction site. They informed people at the meeting that the two landfills receiving excavation materials were refusing to accept this material and that it was being piled on site pending decision on processing.
They complained that Harvard and the City of Cambridge refused to identify the problem or the extent of the problem.
4. Town-Gown Meeting, February 7, 2006.
At the town-gown meeting on February 7, 2006, I questioned two people who were at that meeting and either lived near the site or have been active working to protect the neighbors. The site is about one to two blocks from the Charles River. Both said they did not intend to raise the matter in comments. So I did. I hade a straight forward presentation similar to the immediately preceding paragraphs and asked for Harvard to identify the problem.
Harvard’s response was that Harvard knew of no such problem.
Neither of the neighborhood people commented on the problem.
5. Cambridge Chronicle, February 9, 2006
The Cambridge Chronicle, on January 9, 2006, reported that the neighbors were concerned about lack of availability of reports on dust from the site.
The Chronicle made no comment about pollutants.
6. Summary.
There is nothing in these various reports which is inconsistent with each other, although I am bewildered about the reticence of the neighbors at the town-gown meeting.
I personally know nothing.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
“Three Aces” Saved?
Bob Reports:
1. Introductory.
2. History.
3. Initiatives last year.
4. Town-Gown Meeting of February 7, 2006.
1. Introductory.
The Aggassiz neighborhood is east of Massachusetts Avenue going toward Porter Square from Harvard Square.
A useful map is at http://www.cambridgema.gov/~CDD/cp/neigh/maps/nhood_map_9.pdf. The area of interest is at the right hand side of the map. The map may be blown up into great detail.
2. History.
The neighborhood is a matter of good memories to me because it involved the first zoning change I was involved in as advisor to a neighborhood group. We downzoned the first two blocks north of Harvard Law School between Mass. Ave. and Oxford Street.
A matter of major concern was the neighborhood retail block on Massachusetts Avenue just north of Everett Street. The most visible store on that block now is the Three Aces neighborhood restaurant. Three Aces sells pizza, sandwiches and beer and has a vintage Pac Man machine.
When we wrote the zoning, we deliberately left the retail block zoned for housing and only for housing, to force a developer to choose between saving the retail and whatever profits could be made with destroying the retail. Retail tends to be the most dollar generating use. Thus the zoning took away incentives to destroy that retail.
3. Initiatives last year.
The City of Cambridge development department and fellow “defenders” were fighting to legalize retail under whatever guise they could use.
There were zoning changes proposed last year which would do exactly that and also reward the destruction of the park at Porter Station, among other things. That upzoning seems to be abandoned.
Three Aces was kind enough to post one of my campaign signs and distribute materials which communicated my great concern that the block would now be destroyed by Harvard.
As usual, the powers that be who were fighting to destroy the block claimed to be defending it.
I leafleted every property on the side streets between Harvard and Porter Square with my concerns.
4. Town-Gown Meeting of February 7, 2006.
Harvard in its “Town-Gown” presentation on February 7, 2006, gave the impression that its Law School had abandoned intent to destroy the block for development. Comments were made by two city councilors that their constituents were concerned.
It is good to learn that this leafleting and the efforts by Three Aces were successful, but Harvard will promise nothing on a permanent basis.
In Leslie University’s part of the Town-Gown presentation, Lesley announced that they had completed purchase of almost all of the north side of Mellen Street, the second of three streets in my 1978 downzoning.
The only exception was the gentleman who was the lead signer in my 1978 downzoning. I hope he can stand up to Leslie indefinitely.
1. Introductory.
2. History.
3. Initiatives last year.
4. Town-Gown Meeting of February 7, 2006.
1. Introductory.
The Aggassiz neighborhood is east of Massachusetts Avenue going toward Porter Square from Harvard Square.
A useful map is at http://www.cambridgema.gov/~CDD/cp/neigh/maps/nhood_map_9.pdf. The area of interest is at the right hand side of the map. The map may be blown up into great detail.
2. History.
The neighborhood is a matter of good memories to me because it involved the first zoning change I was involved in as advisor to a neighborhood group. We downzoned the first two blocks north of Harvard Law School between Mass. Ave. and Oxford Street.
A matter of major concern was the neighborhood retail block on Massachusetts Avenue just north of Everett Street. The most visible store on that block now is the Three Aces neighborhood restaurant. Three Aces sells pizza, sandwiches and beer and has a vintage Pac Man machine.
When we wrote the zoning, we deliberately left the retail block zoned for housing and only for housing, to force a developer to choose between saving the retail and whatever profits could be made with destroying the retail. Retail tends to be the most dollar generating use. Thus the zoning took away incentives to destroy that retail.
3. Initiatives last year.
The City of Cambridge development department and fellow “defenders” were fighting to legalize retail under whatever guise they could use.
There were zoning changes proposed last year which would do exactly that and also reward the destruction of the park at Porter Station, among other things. That upzoning seems to be abandoned.
Three Aces was kind enough to post one of my campaign signs and distribute materials which communicated my great concern that the block would now be destroyed by Harvard.
As usual, the powers that be who were fighting to destroy the block claimed to be defending it.
I leafleted every property on the side streets between Harvard and Porter Square with my concerns.
4. Town-Gown Meeting of February 7, 2006.
Harvard in its “Town-Gown” presentation on February 7, 2006, gave the impression that its Law School had abandoned intent to destroy the block for development. Comments were made by two city councilors that their constituents were concerned.
It is good to learn that this leafleting and the efforts by Three Aces were successful, but Harvard will promise nothing on a permanent basis.
In Leslie University’s part of the Town-Gown presentation, Lesley announced that they had completed purchase of almost all of the north side of Mellen Street, the second of three streets in my 1978 downzoning.
The only exception was the gentleman who was the lead signer in my 1978 downzoning. I hope he can stand up to Leslie indefinitely.
Leslie University promises to destroy trees (for the City of Cambridge)
Bob reports:
1. Introductory.
2. Porter Station Park.
3. Town-Gown Meeting, February 7, 2006.
1. Introductory.
You put Cambridge planners anywhere near a park and the first thing they do is destroy trees. Then they put in saplings and brag about the saplings.
In the 70’s and 80’s, the MBTA extended the Red Line from Harvard Square to Alewife. As part of that extension, the MBTA put in parks. Now the City of Cambridge is “improving” those parks.
One of the “improved” parks is next to the Harvard Square Hotel and across from the Charles Hotel, in the Brattle Square portion of Harvard Square. This was a small park with bike parking and 8 to 12 trees.
Last year, the trees were just reaching maturity. So the powers-that-be destroyed them and put in 8 to 12 saplings and bike parking.
Similarly, at Inman Square at about the same time in the late 70's / early 80's, the city created Vellucci Park. It was a magnificent, thick woods two years or so ago. So the city destroyed the woods, left a few trees and installed a relatively barren plaza.
Their explanation was "too thick." At about the same time, Cambridge destroyed a four story high grove of 8 to 12 trees at the Squirrel Brand affordable housing project ("wrong pedigree") and replaced the trees with grass.
I could go on and on. Cambridge brags about these events. They brag about the saplings installed and do not mention the mature trees needlessly and heartlessly destroyed.
2. Porter Station Park.
Another of the targets for the last year or so has been a lovely little park built by the MBTA when they built Porter Station.
A useful map is at http://www.cambridgema.gov/~CDD/cp/neigh/maps/nhood_map_9.pdf. The area of interest is at the right hand top side of the map. The map may be blown up into great detail.
We are now going through the second iteration of sale of air rights at Porter Station. What is never mentioned (more than can be avoided) are the plans for destruction of the park at Porter Square.
Last year, the developer proposed to “improve” the park by converting the park to retail. That developer proposed to destroy all the trees in the Porter Station park and put a retail building in their place.
Last year’s developer kept the plans as secret as possible, and emphasized on questioning that he was keeping the Cambridge development department happy with this proposal.
3. Town-Gown Meeting, February 7, 2006.
Tuesday evening, February 7, 2006, Leslie University made their “Town-Gown Report” to the Cambridge Planning Board. Leslie University is also considering buying those air rights at Porter Station. Leslie University is also proposing destruction for the park at Porter Station.
Leslie is proposing to destroy part of the trees.
Leslie, obviously, is keeping Cambridge’s environmentally sick City government happy with these plans.
1. Introductory.
2. Porter Station Park.
3. Town-Gown Meeting, February 7, 2006.
1. Introductory.
You put Cambridge planners anywhere near a park and the first thing they do is destroy trees. Then they put in saplings and brag about the saplings.
In the 70’s and 80’s, the MBTA extended the Red Line from Harvard Square to Alewife. As part of that extension, the MBTA put in parks. Now the City of Cambridge is “improving” those parks.
One of the “improved” parks is next to the Harvard Square Hotel and across from the Charles Hotel, in the Brattle Square portion of Harvard Square. This was a small park with bike parking and 8 to 12 trees.
Last year, the trees were just reaching maturity. So the powers-that-be destroyed them and put in 8 to 12 saplings and bike parking.
Similarly, at Inman Square at about the same time in the late 70's / early 80's, the city created Vellucci Park. It was a magnificent, thick woods two years or so ago. So the city destroyed the woods, left a few trees and installed a relatively barren plaza.
Their explanation was "too thick." At about the same time, Cambridge destroyed a four story high grove of 8 to 12 trees at the Squirrel Brand affordable housing project ("wrong pedigree") and replaced the trees with grass.
I could go on and on. Cambridge brags about these events. They brag about the saplings installed and do not mention the mature trees needlessly and heartlessly destroyed.
2. Porter Station Park.
Another of the targets for the last year or so has been a lovely little park built by the MBTA when they built Porter Station.
A useful map is at http://www.cambridgema.gov/~CDD/cp/neigh/maps/nhood_map_9.pdf. The area of interest is at the right hand top side of the map. The map may be blown up into great detail.
We are now going through the second iteration of sale of air rights at Porter Station. What is never mentioned (more than can be avoided) are the plans for destruction of the park at Porter Square.
Last year, the developer proposed to “improve” the park by converting the park to retail. That developer proposed to destroy all the trees in the Porter Station park and put a retail building in their place.
Last year’s developer kept the plans as secret as possible, and emphasized on questioning that he was keeping the Cambridge development department happy with this proposal.
3. Town-Gown Meeting, February 7, 2006.
Tuesday evening, February 7, 2006, Leslie University made their “Town-Gown Report” to the Cambridge Planning Board. Leslie University is also considering buying those air rights at Porter Station. Leslie University is also proposing destruction for the park at Porter Station.
Leslie is proposing to destroy part of the trees.
Leslie, obviously, is keeping Cambridge’s environmentally sick City government happy with these plans.
Harvard, in Harvard’s Distinctive Way, Admits Planning for Construction on the Mass. Pike Off Ramps
Harvard, in Harvard’s Distinctive Way, Admits Planning for Construction on the Mass. Pike Off Ramps
Bob reports:
1. Introductory.
2. Translating Harvard.
3. Internet Resources.
4. History.
5. Harvard's Presentation, February 7, 2006.
6. Harvard's Explanation.
7. Analysis.
1. Introductory.
On February 7, 2006, the Cambridge Planning Board held its annual “Town-Gown” presentations in which various Cambridge higher education institutions report on their development plans and accomplishments.
2. Translating Harvard.
As an undergrad, I studied government with an emphasis on the various major Communist powers. Translating the gobbledygook put on in “news reports” by these entities prepared me well for working with Harvard.
On the touchiest matters, it is not what Harvard says, but what Harvard does not say that is important. There is a lot that Harvard does not say which is of major importance. You just have to know how to read Harvard.
3. Internet Resources.
The key documents are available on line and the omissions are telling.
The key documents are at
A. http://www.cambridgema.gov/~CDD/cp/tg/tg2005/tg_2005_harvard_2.pdf, at page 3 of this Acrobat document (It is at page 24 of the overall document of which the Acrobat document is the second part.) This is one of the two documents Harvard made public at the meeting to show its supposed plans for Allston. Allston is across the river from Cambridge. Allston, in turn, is part of the Brighton neighborhood of Boston.
and at
B. http://www.cambridgema.gov/~CDD/cp/tg/tg2005/tg_2005_harvard_3.pdf, page 2 of this Acrobat document (and page 40 of the overall document of which the Acrobat document is the third part.) This document shows all of Harvard’s property holdings in the Boston/Cambridge, MA area that Harvard admits to.
C. A rather nice map of the key area from Yahoo Maps is: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=10+Brighton+Ave&csz=Allston%2C+MA+02134-2310&state=MA&uzip=02134&ds=n&name=&desc=&lat=42.352133&lon=-71.125798&mlt=42.352133&mln=-71.117861980901&zoomin=yes&BFKey=&mag=2&resize=l&trf=0&compass=n
Eyeballing this map and comparing it to a map of the heart of Boston's Back Bay neighborhood (Charles River - Arlington - Boylston - Mass. Ave.), the land area of the railroad yard / tracks and the Mass. Pike with off ramps, the two areas look quite close to being comparable.
4. History.
Harvard has purchased the off ramps from the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) which connect the Mass. Pike to Cambridge and to Allston-Brighton. As part of the purchase, Harvard also purchased the adjoining railroad yards. The purchase actually includes that part of the Mass. Pike.
One of the keys to the destruction going on on the Cambridge side of the Charles River is a railroad bridge which goes under the BU Bridge connecting Cambridge and Boston over the Charles River. The BU Bridge in turn is the heart of the habitat of the Charles River White Geese in Cambridge. For 25 years the Charles River White Geese lived in peace in the area ½ mile on either side of the BU Bridge on the Charles River and on its banks in Cambridge.
Harvard and the parties that be gave the first public information on their plans for the Cambridge side of the Charles River in 1997. I have been fighting those plans ever since and the plans have unfolded piece by massive piece.
A few years ago, the local transit authority, the MBTA, did a study in which the MBTA proved it feasible to build an off ramp over that railroad bridge under the BU Bridge. The off ramp would connect the Mass. Pike to Cambridge. Three months later, Harvard purchased the existing off ramps from the Mass. Pike along with the railroad yard next to the Mass. Pike.
On the second of my links, page 2 (40), please look slightly below the middle of the map. There you will see the words “Harvard Allston.” Above these words and to the left and right of the words, you will see the Charles River. On the portion of the Charles River to the right of the words, you will see the Western Avenue Bridge and the River Street (Cambridge) / Cambridge Street Bridge (Allston). Further down the river and to the right after it turns, you will see the BU Bridge. This bridge is less clear it is above and to the left of the words “Boston University.” Directly below the BU Bridge is a municipal border showing the boundary between Boston and Brookline.
The Cambridge side of the Charles River is above the river on the map. The habitat of the Charles River White Geese is ½ mile to the left (west) of the BU Bridge and ½ mile to the right (east) of the BU Bridge.
Cambridge Street, Allston is to the left of the Cambridge Street / River Street Bridge.
The massive red area below Cambridge Street, Allston is the area Harvard purchased three months after the MBTA proved the off ramp viable from the Mass. Pike to Cambridge on the railroad bridge under the BU Bridge. It is not at all surprising that the railroad bridge under the BU Bridge does not show on Harvard’s map.
This massive red area purchased by Harvard is generally triangular in shape. The lower/ left portion of the triangle is railroad yards operated by Guilford Transportation. The upper/right area is the off ramps from the Mass. Pike and the Mass. Pike. The area purchased stretches out in a thin line below the triangle toward the BU Bridge. It almost reaches the BU Bridge. This thin area contains the railroad tracks which connect the rail yard purchased by Harvard to the rail bridge under the BU Bridge.
5. Harvard's Presentation, February 7, 2006.
Harvard’s presentation showed the red area ABOVE Cambridge Street on this map.
If you will look at the first of my links (page 3/24), you will see the first of the two maps Harvard showed the Planning Board and the public of Harvard’s holdings in Allston on February 7, 2006. The bottom of the map is generally Cambridge Street, Allston, with a curved area cut out. The Mass. Pike off ramps purchased by Harvard extend into that cut out curved area.
On February 7, 2006, Harvard showed another map of their Allston holdings which also did not include the Mass. Pike / railroad yards area. That map included the area in the page 3/24 map and property owned to the left (west) of the page 3/24 map.
The area purchased generally south of Cambridge Street, the Mass. Pike / railroad yards area, is equal in size to a very major part of the prime Harvard holdings in Cambridge. The purchased area equals Harvard Yard PLUS Harvard’s North Yard (Law School, some science, some art) PLUS about half of Harvard’s Divinity School / science area COMBINED.
This recently purchased are is the area Harvard did not show on its presentation in the Town Gown report.
6. Harvard's Explanation.
I raised the omission calling it glaring.
Harvard responded by saying that it was currently and in the near future impossible to build ON THE RAILROAD YARDS portion of the purchased area.
Harvard, in Harvard’s normal manner, SAID NOTHING about the current or near term viability of building on the Mass. Pike or the Mass. Pike off ramps.
Building on the Mass. Pike and its off ramps is EXACTLY what the various environmental destruction / machinations on the Cambridge side of the Charles River is putting in place.
A framework is being very cruelly established to accept an off ramp from the Mass. Pike in Cambridge and on Memorial Drive, an off ramp which would replace the off ramp Harvard bought and is “neglecting” to show in its public presentations concerning Allston development.
7. Analysis.
Why the omission?
Harvard ALWAYS keeps touchy things as secret as possible until it is too late to beat them.
The machinations putting in place construction on the off ramps from the Mass. Pike are anything but certain. Those machinations are highly destructive.
Those machinations are being pushed ruthlessly, including the current heartless starvation attacks on the Charles River White Geese. Among other things, there is also a major matter of more than 449 to 660 trees being destroyed in the process.
Bob reports:
1. Introductory.
2. Translating Harvard.
3. Internet Resources.
4. History.
5. Harvard's Presentation, February 7, 2006.
6. Harvard's Explanation.
7. Analysis.
1. Introductory.
On February 7, 2006, the Cambridge Planning Board held its annual “Town-Gown” presentations in which various Cambridge higher education institutions report on their development plans and accomplishments.
2. Translating Harvard.
As an undergrad, I studied government with an emphasis on the various major Communist powers. Translating the gobbledygook put on in “news reports” by these entities prepared me well for working with Harvard.
On the touchiest matters, it is not what Harvard says, but what Harvard does not say that is important. There is a lot that Harvard does not say which is of major importance. You just have to know how to read Harvard.
3. Internet Resources.
The key documents are available on line and the omissions are telling.
The key documents are at
A. http://www.cambridgema.gov/~CDD/cp/tg/tg2005/tg_2005_harvard_2.pdf, at page 3 of this Acrobat document (It is at page 24 of the overall document of which the Acrobat document is the second part.) This is one of the two documents Harvard made public at the meeting to show its supposed plans for Allston. Allston is across the river from Cambridge. Allston, in turn, is part of the Brighton neighborhood of Boston.
and at
B. http://www.cambridgema.gov/~CDD/cp/tg/tg2005/tg_2005_harvard_3.pdf, page 2 of this Acrobat document (and page 40 of the overall document of which the Acrobat document is the third part.) This document shows all of Harvard’s property holdings in the Boston/Cambridge, MA area that Harvard admits to.
C. A rather nice map of the key area from Yahoo Maps is: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=10+Brighton+Ave&csz=Allston%2C+MA+02134-2310&state=MA&uzip=02134&ds=n&name=&desc=&lat=42.352133&lon=-71.125798&mlt=42.352133&mln=-71.117861980901&zoomin=yes&BFKey=&mag=2&resize=l&trf=0&compass=n
Eyeballing this map and comparing it to a map of the heart of Boston's Back Bay neighborhood (Charles River - Arlington - Boylston - Mass. Ave.), the land area of the railroad yard / tracks and the Mass. Pike with off ramps, the two areas look quite close to being comparable.
4. History.
Harvard has purchased the off ramps from the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) which connect the Mass. Pike to Cambridge and to Allston-Brighton. As part of the purchase, Harvard also purchased the adjoining railroad yards. The purchase actually includes that part of the Mass. Pike.
One of the keys to the destruction going on on the Cambridge side of the Charles River is a railroad bridge which goes under the BU Bridge connecting Cambridge and Boston over the Charles River. The BU Bridge in turn is the heart of the habitat of the Charles River White Geese in Cambridge. For 25 years the Charles River White Geese lived in peace in the area ½ mile on either side of the BU Bridge on the Charles River and on its banks in Cambridge.
Harvard and the parties that be gave the first public information on their plans for the Cambridge side of the Charles River in 1997. I have been fighting those plans ever since and the plans have unfolded piece by massive piece.
A few years ago, the local transit authority, the MBTA, did a study in which the MBTA proved it feasible to build an off ramp over that railroad bridge under the BU Bridge. The off ramp would connect the Mass. Pike to Cambridge. Three months later, Harvard purchased the existing off ramps from the Mass. Pike along with the railroad yard next to the Mass. Pike.
On the second of my links, page 2 (40), please look slightly below the middle of the map. There you will see the words “Harvard Allston.” Above these words and to the left and right of the words, you will see the Charles River. On the portion of the Charles River to the right of the words, you will see the Western Avenue Bridge and the River Street (Cambridge) / Cambridge Street Bridge (Allston). Further down the river and to the right after it turns, you will see the BU Bridge. This bridge is less clear it is above and to the left of the words “Boston University.” Directly below the BU Bridge is a municipal border showing the boundary between Boston and Brookline.
The Cambridge side of the Charles River is above the river on the map. The habitat of the Charles River White Geese is ½ mile to the left (west) of the BU Bridge and ½ mile to the right (east) of the BU Bridge.
Cambridge Street, Allston is to the left of the Cambridge Street / River Street Bridge.
The massive red area below Cambridge Street, Allston is the area Harvard purchased three months after the MBTA proved the off ramp viable from the Mass. Pike to Cambridge on the railroad bridge under the BU Bridge. It is not at all surprising that the railroad bridge under the BU Bridge does not show on Harvard’s map.
This massive red area purchased by Harvard is generally triangular in shape. The lower/ left portion of the triangle is railroad yards operated by Guilford Transportation. The upper/right area is the off ramps from the Mass. Pike and the Mass. Pike. The area purchased stretches out in a thin line below the triangle toward the BU Bridge. It almost reaches the BU Bridge. This thin area contains the railroad tracks which connect the rail yard purchased by Harvard to the rail bridge under the BU Bridge.
5. Harvard's Presentation, February 7, 2006.
Harvard’s presentation showed the red area ABOVE Cambridge Street on this map.
If you will look at the first of my links (page 3/24), you will see the first of the two maps Harvard showed the Planning Board and the public of Harvard’s holdings in Allston on February 7, 2006. The bottom of the map is generally Cambridge Street, Allston, with a curved area cut out. The Mass. Pike off ramps purchased by Harvard extend into that cut out curved area.
On February 7, 2006, Harvard showed another map of their Allston holdings which also did not include the Mass. Pike / railroad yards area. That map included the area in the page 3/24 map and property owned to the left (west) of the page 3/24 map.
The area purchased generally south of Cambridge Street, the Mass. Pike / railroad yards area, is equal in size to a very major part of the prime Harvard holdings in Cambridge. The purchased area equals Harvard Yard PLUS Harvard’s North Yard (Law School, some science, some art) PLUS about half of Harvard’s Divinity School / science area COMBINED.
This recently purchased are is the area Harvard did not show on its presentation in the Town Gown report.
6. Harvard's Explanation.
I raised the omission calling it glaring.
Harvard responded by saying that it was currently and in the near future impossible to build ON THE RAILROAD YARDS portion of the purchased area.
Harvard, in Harvard’s normal manner, SAID NOTHING about the current or near term viability of building on the Mass. Pike or the Mass. Pike off ramps.
Building on the Mass. Pike and its off ramps is EXACTLY what the various environmental destruction / machinations on the Cambridge side of the Charles River is putting in place.
A framework is being very cruelly established to accept an off ramp from the Mass. Pike in Cambridge and on Memorial Drive, an off ramp which would replace the off ramp Harvard bought and is “neglecting” to show in its public presentations concerning Allston development.
7. Analysis.
Why the omission?
Harvard ALWAYS keeps touchy things as secret as possible until it is too late to beat them.
The machinations putting in place construction on the off ramps from the Mass. Pike are anything but certain. Those machinations are highly destructive.
Those machinations are being pushed ruthlessly, including the current heartless starvation attacks on the Charles River White Geese. Among other things, there is also a major matter of more than 449 to 660 trees being destroyed in the process.
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