Residents voice concern over Harvard plan

Residents voice concern over Harvard plan - News

In a meeting with town residents Monday night, Harvard officials fielded questions about the center to be built on Barry's Corner - a keystone project of the university's 20-year "Institutional Master Plan" to move across the Charles River to an Allston neighborhood where several athletic facilities and administrative buildings already exist.

Allston residents have voiced concern about Harvard's encroachment upon already-developed land.

"I signed on to this deal to become partners with Harvard," said Allston resident Tim McHale at Monday's meeting. "Now, I'm beginning to doubt that partnership."

McHale said his excitement about the benefits the Art Center could bring to Allston was diminished by Harvard's unilateral decision-making.

"It is time Harvard reestablished its relationship with this community and reasserted itself as a partner rather than a single-minded entity," he said.