Instead of Central America, What about Allston?

A Harvard professor came to Allston to talk about the importance of the arts in Bogota, Colombia during the 1990's. Meanwhile, Harvard has shelved the plans it had a few years ago for Western Ave and other parts of North Allston to become an arts mecca. Questions about the role of public art in Harvard's $150 million, 325 unit apartment building that will start construction later this year get nothing better than weak responses like:

The proponent will work with Harvard, the City and the community to explore how public art can be incorporated into the project.

So kudos to Mr. Stenson for suggesting that Harvard think locally about the importance of the arts.

Sommer Highlights Cultural Agency at Allston Ed Portal | News | The Harvard Crimson:

"John J. Stenson Jr. of Brighton asked the first question after [Harvard Romance Languages and Literatures Professor Doris] Sommer wrapped up her lecture, demanding to see funding from the University to promote theater in Allston. 

“Never mind about Bogotá. What about right here?” Stenson said. “Put a play on here. That’s your challenge.”"

Harvard faculty feeling like Allston residents

There is plenty of decisions about Harvard's Allston expansion that should be driven by purely internal Harvard decision-making. I think there are also plenty of issues relating to the public realm along Western Av & North Harvard St and the too many blighted Harvard properties all over our neighborhood where some the community should have a role in the decision-making process. 

You can replace "faculty" with "Allston community" in this article and it all sounds pretty familiar

After New Email Search Revelations, Faculty Question Balance of Power | The Harvard Crimson:

"...faculty have not been consulted on a range of important decisions over the last year pertaining to the Government 1310 cheating case, the relocation of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences to Allston" 

"history professor Lisa M. McGirr said that the monthly meetings have become something of a “spectator sport” in which faculty watch as administrators break news about their decisions." 

"Asani agreed, saying he believes the Faculty Council—and Faculty meetings more broadly—are too closely controlled by administrators for professors to have a free and full discussion."

I wonder what this “multimodal transportation solution” will be

As SEAS Moves to Allston, Administrators Contemplate Schedule Changes | The Harvard Crimson:

"Computer science professor David C. Parkes, a co-chair of the Transportation Task Force alongside Executive Vice President Katie N. Lapp, wrote in an email that while the task force has not yet convened, it will eventually investigate a “multimodal transportation solution” to connect Cambridge and Allston."

Lesley University may propose renovating Smith Field in Allston in exchange for use of the site

Lesley University may propose renovating Smith Field in Allston in exchange for use of the site - Allston Brighton - Your Town - Boston.com:

Lesley University is gauging community interest in having it renovate the city-owned Smith Field in Allston and, in exchange, have permission to use the space for Lesley athletics

“Lesley’s main goal is to provide the best overall experience for our student-athletes, and state-of-the art facilities are key,” [Amanda McGregor, spokeswoman for the university] said.

Harvard-Allston Task Force Criticizes University for Not Providing Benefits | The Harvard Crimson

Harvard-Allston Task Force Criticizes University for Not Providing Benefits | The Harvard Crimson:

“[Barry’s Corner] is going to rise out of the Earth, and we’re going to have nothing to show for it,” task force chair and Allston resident Ray V. Mellone said.

After some discussion, task force members rallied around the idea of tying improvements of Smith Field, a park adjacent to the site of the planned development, to the development of Barry’s Corner.

BRA Chief Planner Kairos Shen said that the agency would explore language that could require a commitment from Harvard to renovate the field in order to receive BRA approval for the Barry’s Corner development. Shen and task force members agreed to try to come up with a provision by the time the project faces evaluation from the BRA.