A benchmark for Harvard's community benefits

Today's Globe reviews the status of the Columbus Circle project which is planned to be built downtown over the Mass Pike. The total cost of the project is estimated at $800 million, which may be somewhat more than Harvard's Science Complex but is probably not that much more.

The developers calculate that they will contribute a total of about $53 million in public benefits and construction mitigation measures, including three parks and future park maintenance, 45 affordable housing units on site, 20 or so affordable units off site, recharging of groundwater wells in the area, and subsidies to future occupants including a day-care center and grocery store.

$10m more sought for Columbus Center - The Boston Globe