On April 25, 2013, I reported on the Environmental Notification Form filed by Harvard University for “Barry’s Corner”, maybe half a mile south of Harvard Square on the extension of one of the main roads through Harvard Square. My analysis is posted at http://charlesriverwhitegeeseblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/harvard-university-announces-harvard.html.
The exact location is the northwest corner of North Harvard Street and Western Avenue. It is probably less than .3 miles from the Charles River going north on North Harvard Street toward Harvard Square, Cambridge, and going east on Western Avenue toward Central Square, Cambridge. But it is in the Allston neighborhood of Boston.
This property is across North Harvard Street from the affordable housing project that Harvard has forced to be sold to it. The subsidized housing is being “relocated” on top of the neighborhood shopping center for the affordable housing. Harvard bought the shopping center, and allowed the shopping center to die by not replacing vacating tenants. After that, the owner of the affordable housing “agreed” to Harvard’s offer to move.
I have just learned from the state published Environmental Monitor that the Harvard Square density project has been approved by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to proceed without further environmental review. The approval includes a good summary of the project. The approval is posted at http://www.env.state.ma.us/mepa/mepacerts/2013/sc/enf/15036enf.pdf.
