Harvard Crimson update on Harvard's planning process
The Harvard Crimson :: Harvard Embarks Upon Revision of Campus Expansion Plan
The Crimson takes a look at the status of Harvard's upcoming Master Plan and how the A/B community might, or might not, be able to comment on the plan and have these comments improve the result. An excerpt:
The Crimson takes a look at the status of Harvard's upcoming Master Plan and how the A/B community might, or might not, be able to comment on the plan and have these comments improve the result. An excerpt:
“If they’re really going to submit it in a few months, then it precludes any sort of meaningful input from the neighborhood at all,” said Task Force member Harry Mattison.
But according to Autler, moving this process along quickly would mean that Harvard would be able to implement benefits to the community sooner than previously anticipated.“If we get this master plan to the finish line in a reasonable amount of time, the benefits that the neighborhood is looking for can start to materialize,” he said. He also said that neighbors will have three to four months in which to vet the master plan during public hearings before the city would approve it.
The University’s chief planner Kathy A. Spiegelman said that Harvrard is committed to keeping the concerns of the city and Allston residents in mind as they revise the master plan.“Although everyone’s definition of ‘good’ is different, we are going to put a lot of energy and effort into making our response to the scope the best it could possibly be,” she said.
10 Hills of Brookline Bike Tour this Sunday
Its not in A/B, but its just a short trip over the city/town line to the "10 Hills of Brookline Bike Tour" and hopefully tomorrow's downpours will have ended by Sunday morning.
See Brookline open spaces on a Brookline GreenSpace Alliance recreational bicycle tour which will follow the path of Brookline’s 10 hills. The moderate pace on the gentle to moderate hills will be led by Ron Brown, treasurer of the GreenSpace Alliance and 14 year participant in the 192-mile PanMass Challenge.
The 16+ mile route will start at 10:00 am on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at Amory Park, intersection of Amory Street and Freeman Street by Hall’s Pond Sanctuary, and end in the same location at approximately Noon. Helmets are required. For more information, contact 617-277-4777 or email info@brooklinegreenspace.org
Globe Editorial on Harvard's police problems and campus openness
This editorial in today's Globe elaborates on my thoughts about Harvard's presence in Allston and its relationship with the nearby community.
Profiling and Harvard police - The Boston Globe
This topic also gives us reason to reconsider the ownership of the small park being created behind the Honan Library. The Cooperation Agreement signed by the City and Harvard says the following, but makes no statement about who will own the land and who will police it:
Members of the community have asked for clarification, but have received none.
Profiling and Harvard police - The Boston Globe
"...The independent panel should also look for clues outside of Harvard's police department. The college administration could be sending messages, subtle or otherwise, that outsiders are not welcome on campus. That would be an especially bad message to send as Harvard readies to expand its campus into the Allston section of Boston. Minorities who work at or attend Harvard have the clout and knowledge to make themselves heard. But neighbors of Harvard or passersby may not."
This topic also gives us reason to reconsider the ownership of the small park being created behind the Honan Library. The Cooperation Agreement signed by the City and Harvard says the following, but makes no statement about who will own the land and who will police it:
The applicant (Harvard) shall negotiate with the Authority (BRA) and the City of Boston an agreement providing for guarantees of public access and the dedication of Library Park as publicly-accessible open space or other public use.
Members of the community have asked for clarification, but have received none.
Morning fire damages 36 Litchfield St
Multiple fire vehicles arrived at Litchfield St this morning at approximately 8:45. The fire seems to have been contained on the 3rd floor of the building.
MBTA proposed service changes
The MBTA has published its Preliminary 2008 Service Plan which suggests changes across the entire system and some that would affect A/B commuters. Written feedback on this plan will be accepted through September 30 and may be sent by email to serviceplan08@mbta.com or regular mail to:
MBTA Service Planning Unit, 45 High Street, Boston, MA 02110.
There will also be a meeting next week about these proposed changes:
September 8
Honan—Allston Library
300 North Harvard Street
6:00-7:30 pm
MBTA Service Planning Unit, 45 High Street, Boston, MA 02110.
There will also be a meeting next week about these proposed changes:
September 8
Honan—Allston Library
300 North Harvard Street
6:00-7:30 pm
Best of Boston in Allston
Congrats to the Allston restaurants recognized by Boston Magazine in the new Best of Boston issue:
2nd Cup Café - Best of Boston 2008, Neighborhood Coffee, Allston
Pedigreed beans (George Howell) ground and brewed in small batches make for the freshest refueling stop on the block.
111 Brighton Ave.
617-782-8282
www.2ndcupcafe.com
Fun Food Snackery - Best of Boston 2008, Neighborhood Sweets, Allston
Zero humdrum sundaes here. Dig into exotic shaved ice, crazy mounds of fruit, and Christina's ice cream, scooped by one sweet staff.
141 Brighton Ave.
617-787-8989
www.funfoodsnackery.com
Deep Ellum - Best of Boston 2008, Neighborhood Brunch, Allston
Savory a.m. chow and mule-kick libations heighten the appeal of this pub, whose sufficiently classy air keeps PJ-clad coeds at bay.
477 Cambridge St.
617-787-2337
www.deepellum-boston.com
S&I to Go - Best of Boston 2008, Neighborhood Takeout, Allston
Notwithstanding Allston's gobsmacking collection of world cuisines, it's still tough to beat Thai—especially when it's done this fast, cheap, and satisfying.
168A Brighton Ave.
617-254-8488
2nd Cup Café - Best of Boston 2008, Neighborhood Coffee, Allston
Pedigreed beans (George Howell) ground and brewed in small batches make for the freshest refueling stop on the block.
111 Brighton Ave.
617-782-8282
www.2ndcupcafe.com
Fun Food Snackery - Best of Boston 2008, Neighborhood Sweets, Allston
Zero humdrum sundaes here. Dig into exotic shaved ice, crazy mounds of fruit, and Christina's ice cream, scooped by one sweet staff.
141 Brighton Ave.
617-787-8989
www.funfoodsnackery.com
Deep Ellum - Best of Boston 2008, Neighborhood Brunch, Allston
Savory a.m. chow and mule-kick libations heighten the appeal of this pub, whose sufficiently classy air keeps PJ-clad coeds at bay.
477 Cambridge St.
617-787-2337
www.deepellum-boston.com
S&I to Go - Best of Boston 2008, Neighborhood Takeout, Allston
Notwithstanding Allston's gobsmacking collection of world cuisines, it's still tough to beat Thai—especially when it's done this fast, cheap, and satisfying.
168A Brighton Ave.
617-254-8488
Really Really Free Market tomorrow (Sunday)
The Allston/Brighton Neighborhood Assembly invites you to the second Allston Really Really Free Market on Sunday from 10-4 at Ringer Park.
What is a Really Really Free Market? It's just like it sounds, a market that is really, really free. People bring stuff (like books, cloths, food,toys, music, crafts, skills, art, etc, but no furniture please), and people take stuff. No money involved, everything is free. There will also be frisbees, football sand other things to play games with.
What is a Really Really Free Market? It's just like it sounds, a market that is really, really free. People bring stuff (like books, cloths, food,toys, music, crafts, skills, art, etc, but no furniture please), and people take stuff. No money involved, everything is free. There will also be frisbees, football sand other things to play games with.
Students, landlords flouting a city limit
As I wrote back in March, the zoning change to prohibit 5 or more undergraduates from living in the same apartment seemed like a small step at best to change the quality of life in Boston neighborhoods where students abound in off-campus housing. Today the Globe reports that Inspectional Services has no way to determine if someone is an undergraduate student and brokers and landlords aren't hesitating to violate the ordinance.
Until the market fundamentals change or much stronger laws are passed, I see little chance of the status quo changing. It will be interesting to see if there is any noticeable change in Allston next fall, when BU is able to house 960 more of its students on-campus in its Student Village Phase II dormitory.
Until the market fundamentals change or much stronger laws are passed, I see little chance of the status quo changing. It will be interesting to see if there is any noticeable change in Allston next fall, when BU is able to house 960 more of its students on-campus in its Student Village Phase II dormitory.
Harvard's treatment of minorities
Apparently the Harvard Police and others at Harvard have been less than welcoming to black students and faculty around the campus in Cambridge. As Harvard's campus and police force develop a greater presence here, what does this mean for the 4% of Allston/Brighton residents who are black and the 31% of A/B residents who are not white? And the neighborhood closest to Harvard's expansion is much more racially diverse (55% white) than A/B as a whole (69% white).
It is ironic that I saw this Globe article just after reading the section of the BRA's Scoping Determination for Harvard's Master Plan that emphasizes permeability and that Harvard's campus should be "a welcoming relationship for non-Harvard members of the Allston community and for visitors."
Black students, faculty hope Harvard police review sparks wider dialogue on race - The Boston Globe
It is ironic that I saw this Globe article just after reading the section of the BRA's Scoping Determination for Harvard's Master Plan that emphasizes permeability and that Harvard's campus should be "a welcoming relationship for non-Harvard members of the Allston community and for visitors."
Black students, faculty hope Harvard police review sparks wider dialogue on race - The Boston Globe
Ain't No Party Like an HBS Party, says Boston Magazine
According to this story in the current issue of Boston Magazine, there is quite a party going on in Allston at Harvard's Business School . As HBS is accepting younger students, wild keg parties and beer-pong tournaments (also known as Beirut) are described as common. The students there will soon be even younger, as a new HBS program, 2+2, will add several dozen 24 year olds to the mix.
"You look back at some nights and you could say it happened at the University of Florida or you could say it happened at Harvard Business School, " said a second-year HBS student told Boston Magazine . A recent grad described the scence as "a lot of these people are 26, 27, have half a million dollars in the bank, and are completely burned out from all the 90-hour workweeks. They really just want to have a good time."
This should give pause to residents and City officials considering Harvard's expansion plans that will bring HBS and other student housing closer to North Allston's residential neighborhoods. Harvard's Master Plan draft proposes 500,000 square feet for Harvard Business School academic and housing uses, 350,000 square feet of graduate student housing (590 beds), and 800,000 square feet of undergraduate housing. But Harvard proposes not a single unit of housing for non-student adults who teach or work at Harvard and might become more permanent members of the community.
Allston/Brighton is already dominated by residents in their 20's, who make up 45% of our population (compared with 23% for the entire city of Boston). As with other demographic segments like renter/owner, it is a question of finding a good balance and anticipating how changes will affect (positively and negatively) different groups of people.
"You look back at some nights and you could say it happened at the University of Florida or you could say it happened at Harvard Business School, " said a second-year HBS student told Boston Magazine . A recent grad described the scence as "a lot of these people are 26, 27, have half a million dollars in the bank, and are completely burned out from all the 90-hour workweeks. They really just want to have a good time."
This should give pause to residents and City officials considering Harvard's expansion plans that will bring HBS and other student housing closer to North Allston's residential neighborhoods. Harvard's Master Plan draft proposes 500,000 square feet for Harvard Business School academic and housing uses, 350,000 square feet of graduate student housing (590 beds), and 800,000 square feet of undergraduate housing. But Harvard proposes not a single unit of housing for non-student adults who teach or work at Harvard and might become more permanent members of the community.
Allston/Brighton is already dominated by residents in their 20's, who make up 45% of our population (compared with 23% for the entire city of Boston). As with other demographic segments like renter/owner, it is a question of finding a good balance and anticipating how changes will affect (positively and negatively) different groups of people.
Construction ending at the Lincoln St Green Strip
 | Construction on the Lincoln Street Green Strip is scheduled to conclude this week. The raised planters are being filled with soil and wildflower seeds will be applied. Removal of invasive species continues and more debris will be removed from the site. |  |
Deadline tomorrow to register to vote in Sept primary
The last day to register to vote in the September 16 State Primary is tomorrow. All voter registration forms must be postmarked by August 27th.
Registered Republicans may vote in the Republican primary. Registered Democrats may vote in the Democratic primary. Registered voters who are not enrolled in a party may vote in either primary.
You can register to vote by filling out, printing, signing, and mailing in a form available at www.massvote.org. Just click on register.
Allston/Brighton voters will find most or all local incumbents running unopposed for re-election, but go ahead and register anyway. It doesn't anything (beyond the cost of the stamp) and is an important part of our citizenship. With more people registered and more interested voters, more candidates may follow.
Allston-Brighton Community Survey is online
You can follow the link below to take the survey being conducted by Copernicus Marketing Consulting to assess the needs and aspirations of Allston/Brighton residents. The results will inform the community benefits planning associated with Harvard's expansion, and should also be useful in other situations (benefits associated with Boston College's expansion and others).
It is estimated that the survey will take 20 minutes and it must be completed in one session.
DoubleTree loses its ivy
Maybe this happened a while back, but driving down Soldiers Field Road today I noticed that all the ivy has been taken off the Harvard-owned DoubleTree hotel at the corner of Cambridge St and Soldiers Field Rd.I was always impressed by how high it was able to climb and thought it looked nice. This photo from Google Street View shows how it used to look.
Upcoming zoning & licensing hearings
125-127 Brooks Street - Combine parcels and erect a two-family dwelling
Americans Pop Tattoo Company, 195 Gardner Street - Change the legal occupancy from two hundred and twelve apartments, garage, dry cleaners, retail store, pizza/deli restaurant to two hundred and thirteen apartments, garage, pizza/deli restaurant and tattoo parlor.
Liquor license transfer from El Cafetal Restaurant, 479 Cambridge Street to Taqueria El Carrizal, 254 Brighton Ave
427 Faneuil Street has applied for a Seven-Day Common Victualler License
More info at http://www.cityofboston.gov/ons/pdfs/allstonbright.pdf
Americans Pop Tattoo Company, 195 Gardner Street - Change the legal occupancy from two hundred and twelve apartments, garage, dry cleaners, retail store, pizza/deli restaurant to two hundred and thirteen apartments, garage, pizza/deli restaurant and tattoo parlor.
Liquor license transfer from El Cafetal Restaurant, 479 Cambridge Street to Taqueria El Carrizal, 254 Brighton Ave
427 Faneuil Street has applied for a Seven-Day Common Victualler License
More info at http://www.cityofboston.gov/ons/pdfs/allstonbright.pdf
Missing & damaged copper
 | Here are a couple photos from Holton St showing missing copper downspouts and broken brackets related to the post below. |  |
Copper stolen from St. A & McNamara House
What is the world coming to when someone will travel from Hull to Allston to steal copper from a church and senior citizen home? Reputable recyclers seems to be paying about $3/pound for copper. If you are selling old gutters from the back of your pickup truck I would think you are getting something less than that. This problem is happening all over the country, and certainly is not unique to Allston.
Suspected copper crook arrested - Allston/Brighton TAB
Suspected copper crook arrested - Allston/Brighton TAB
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