Allston Brighton Community Blog

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Harvard's IMP states:

"Currently, there are four new projects which include approximately 100,000 square feet of retail and service uses being planned, permitted and constructed in and around Barry’s Corner. These major projects will bring visibility, new housing and employment destinations and a surge of retail and pedestrian activity to Barry’s Corner."

Can you believe that one of these "major projects" that will contribute to a "surge of retail and pedestrian activity" is the warehouse, mail room, storage facility, and Harvard Police Shooting Range!

28 Travis Street: 30,000 square feet. This involves the adapative re-use of an old Comcast warehouse into a 42,000 square feet campus services building with an adjacent 10,000 square feet fleet maintenance facility. The building will be the home of Harvard’s IT services center, mail facility, transportation department and recycling center. These uses will employ over 90 employees. Approximately, 30,000 square feet of the main building will house active service uses that host over 30 visitors each day. This significant employee and visitor base will contribute to the activation of the Barry’s Corner retail center. The Campus Services building
is currently under construction with completion estimated at September 2013.

Only Harvard could describe a place like this as having a "employee and visitor base [that] will contribute to the activation of the Barry’s Corner retail center."

Half-Sized Science Complex

Here's another drawing in the 10 year plan that shows only two of the originally planned 4 buildings being built.

The two missing buildings eventually get built according to Harvard's plan, but they are "long term". Does anyone have a clue when that will be?

All the buzzwords, None of the benefit or vision

Harvard - Allston Campus - Page 47 - archBOSTON.org:

"This IMP hits all the fancy buzzwords including but not limited to "greenway" and yet there's absolutely no vision (the massing and future layout of Barry's Corner is completely bungled) and no clear benefit for Harvard either. This IMP strikes me as a fancy placeholder so that they can continue to landbank here (with a planning horizon counting in centuries, not years)."

Harvard Science Complex in the 10 year plan

Harvard hasn't announced the new design for the Western Ave Science Complex that is possibly re-starting construction for next year. But it is interesting to see how it is shown in Harvard's Master Plan and how different it is than the previous design.

Science Complex in the 10-year plan of Harvard's new plan

Looks like 2 buildings with most of its greenspace along the SwissBakers parking lot

Harvard IMP - page 13

2007 Physical Model of the Science Complex - 4 buildings with a courtyard

2007 first floor plan

Smith Field in Harvard's 10 year plan

There's been a lot of talk about making big changes to Smith Field. It is interesting how Harvard shows Smith Field in this 3D rendering of its 10 year plan. Looks like a Little League field, two softball fields, a baseball diamond, and a basketball court. Ten years from now I sure hope Smith Field has a lot more diversity of facilities than that.

Harvard IMP - page 13

Harvard's 5 year plan & importance of interim uses

Harvard's IMP shows many 3D renderings of what its campus and Barry's Corner might look like in 10 years, but there are no such renderings showing what things will look like for the next 5+ years. And 5 years is quite a while.

So I've color coded the map on page 101 of Harvard's Master Plan with the phasing information on page 112.

The takeaway is that Harvard's 4 IMP projects between now and 2018 are relatively small interior projects at Harvard Athletics and HBS. It isn't until 2020 that we might see new construction in Barry's Corner that could enliven this area.

If it is going to be 6+ years before these buildings begin construction, it becomes all the more important to ask what will happen on these sites in the meantime to contribute to a strong and vibrant community.

What are the "BTD Bike Plan Elements"?

This is an interesting image from Harvard's IMP. It makes it look like there are a great many transportation improvements coming to most all the major roads in our neighborhood.

Harvard IMP page 183

But can this be true? What could BTD (the Boston Transportation Department) have planned for "bike plan elements" on narrow, high-speed Lincoln Street? If the overhead wires were buried, the utility poles removed, and the road widened towards the Mass Pike to create space for physically seperated bike lanes that would be a great improvement. That would also be a multi-million dollar project that I haven't heard seriously discussed. If the plan it just to paint "sharrows" in the existing lanes then that really isn't going to accomplish much.

The spaces between those Harvard buildings

A recent NY Times op-ed noted:

The Bloomberg administration has certainly not been tone deaf to place-making during the last dozen years, transforming many city parks, waterfronts and plazas, and embracing sustainable design. But its plan for East Midtown fails to recognize a fundamental paradigm shift. The focus in designing cities has now turned from buildings to the spaces between those buildings — sidewalks, plazas, parks — whose disposition requires planning.

Harvard concurs in its IMP:

Successful plazas support a wide variety of activities including temporary markets, art installations, or performances

But the IMP has precious few specifics about how this might happen. The word "sculpture" is nowhere to be found. The word "art" is barely mentioned. In the 6 pages dedicated to the Charlesview Grove, there is no mention of a budget. Plans to install art do not exist. Instead, Harvard offers this:

"During the period in which the former Charlesview Apartments undergo demolition, to
the extent consistent with health and safety, Harvard will make portions of the grove fully
accessible to the public, with provision for internal walkways and seating areas." (page 124)

Harvard's "gateway" building isn't planned until 2020 at the earliest. Here is what Harvard proposes the area will look like until then. It will be nice to have the existing chain link fence removed, but this seems to fall far short of the award-winning public space that it could be.

Harvard ignores the traffic created by a 3,000 seat arena

Harvard wants to build a 3,000 seat basketball arena right near the intersection of Western Ave & North Harvard Street. This intersection is already frequently congested and difficult for drivers and pedestrians.

Harvard has decided, that because heavy use of the facility may not occur during the "typical morning or evening peak hours" that it can therefore pretend that this 3,000 seat arena will have no traffic impact at all.

Of course Harvard rents its athletic facilities to many non-Harvard organizations, and things change about when and how Harvard facilities are used. It wasn't that long ago that Harvard Stadium was used only during the day.

It is fine if Harvard wants to build a grand and glorious basketball arena and rent it to private teams, organizations, and events. But Harvard could also admit that this will bring new traffic into our community and that merits study and roadway improvements.

Harvard IMP page 185

By the way, what is "the University's event management strategy"? Is that strategy what causes situations like this?

Can Harvard students not cross North Harvard Street safely?

The Allston/Brighton community and the BRA have both asked why a new Harvard basketball arena is the best use of land in Barry's Corner. It the "site selection rationale" of its Master Plan, it is interesting that Harvard describes North Harvard Street as a busy and dangerous street that poses a grave safety risk.

Harvard Master Plan, page 136

I have crossed North Harvard Street countless times, pushing infants in strollers, with young children riding bikes, in bad weather, and more. It would be nice to have a crosswalk with walk signal at the Honan Library (as an alternative to the one at the one at Easton Street). But when compared to Western Ave, Cambridge Street, and the other major roads in our community, crossing North Harvard feels relatively easy and safe. I doubt that Harvard students, who have to cross many busier roads (like Memorial Drive) on their walk from Cambridge to Allston, would have a safety problem getting across North Harvard Street.

Harvard's Charlesview Parking Lot

The site of the current Charlesview Apartments is one of the most prominent gateway locations of our neighborhood. It is a shame that Harvard wants to put a big surface parking lot there.

Also, the building shown in the left side of the images below (Harvard calls it the "Gateway project") is not scheduled to be built until 2020 at the earliest. There seems to be no proposal for how these ~8 acres will enrich the community and Barry's Corner for the next 6+ years.

This is not a new concern. Here is what the Task Force wrote 8 months ago:

Harvard Allston Task Force comment (Nov 19, 2012) - Harvard Parking Lot on the site of the current Charlesview housing - This proposed use shown on page 35 of the IMPNF is completely unacceptable. A large surface parking lot in this strategic and highly-visible site is completely contrary to our vision for North Allston. We strongly oppose Barry’s Corner being the backside of Harvard’s campus where undesirable uses are dumped.

Harvard has suggested that this site could also be used for construction activities such as material storage, staging, and parking. We disagree with this proposal, especially considering the pending vacancy of the CSX and Romar sites which would give Harvard other nearby options for parking and construction activities.

And here is Harvard's proposal. It is quite deceiving for the parking lot to be drawn in light gray in two of the drawings which does not make it look like asphalt. The 3D view shown on top was drawn by Harvard's consultants so that it only shows 1/2 of the parking lot.

The text in Harvard's "Parking" section of the IMP (which gets just 1/2 page in a 294 page document) says the following:

The location of the parking lots and garages seeks to minimize impacts on adjacent streets

by taking advantage of new streets such as “Academic Way” and “South Campus Drive”

to divert traffic away from Barry’s Corner. The parking facilities and their driveways will be

integrated into the network of pedestrian paths in the Ten-Year Plan to minimize pedestrian

and vehicular conflicts and to provide suitable connections to the new and existing

institutional uses.

How does this make any sense? These parking lots exit onto North Harvard Street and Academic Way. The cars that use the Academic Way exit will then have to exit onto Western Ave. So how does this minimize impact on adjacent streets? Visually, a single row of trees along North Harvard Street doesn't minimize much of anything. What does it mean to integrate parking lots and driveways into "the network of pedestrian paths in the Ten-Year Plan to minimize pedestrian and vehicular conflicts"?

Meet the Mayoral Candidates: How would you ease apartment overcrowding?

Meet the Mayoral Candidates: How would you ease apartment overcrowding? - Boston.comment - Boston.com:

"This week, we asked Boston's mayoral candidates what they would do to ease overcrowding in neighborhoods like Allston. Here are their answers. Add your thoughts to the comments or tweet at the hashtag #BosMayor."

Ward 21 Democratic Committee Endorses Michael Ross for Mayor

First Ward Committee to Endorse in Mayoral Race Boston

The Ward 21 Democratic Committee officially endorsed Councilor Mike Ross for Mayor on Thursday. The committee, made up of Democratic activists from parts of the Allston, Brighton, and Fenway neighborhoods, cited Ross’ innovative ideas as key to the endorsement.

“Councilor Ross stood out in a field of several qualified candidates as the one most able to use innovative ideas to create jobs, improve our schools, and modernize government,” said Lauren Mattison, the Committee Chair. “We’re excited to spend the rest of this campaign making phone calls, knocking on doors, and telling people why Mike Ross is the best candidate for Mayor.”

Nine of the 12 candidates for Mayor filled out the Committee’s questionnaire, which addressed topics such as education, housing, institutional expansion, open space, and transportation. Those candidates, including Charlotte Golar Richie, John Connolly, and Bill Walczak spoke to the community before the Committee vote on Thursday. In the end, Councilor Ross received more than enough votes to qualify for an endorsement.

“I’m honored to have the support of the Ward 21 Committee, and I look forward to working with them in the months ahead. Grassroots support will be key to this campaign, and I’m happy that my desire to bring new ideas to city hall is resonating,” said Ross.

Interview with candidate for City Council to represent Allston/Brighton

David S. Bernstein interviews Boston City Council Candidate Chat: Michael Bronner:

Learn more about the candidates from the Ward 21 Democratic Committee

In June 2013, the Ward 21 Democratic Committee sent questionnaires to all candidates for mayor, city council at-large, and the city council seats in Districts 8 and 9. They asked campaigns to return the questionnaires by July 8. Use the link below to see the responses received as of July 9. They will post any additional responses as they receive them.

http://www.bostonward21.org/p/candidate-questionnaires.html

John Connolly for Mayor Allston-Brighton Neighborhood Party - Thursday, July 25th

With all this summer heat I know it can be hard to think ahead to Boston's election for Mayor this summer. But now is a great time to get to know the candidates and show them how much we care about making Allston and Brighton and all of Boston a better place to live!

I have known John Connolly for several years and have consistently been impressed by his involvement in the Allston and Brighton community. He is now a leading contender in a crowded field of candidates running to be our next Mayor, and we need a Mayor who understands our neighborhood and who will work hard to improve our quality of life.

Please join John for an Allston-Brighton Neighborhood Party on Thursday, July 25th at 6:30 PM at Devlin's (332 Washington St in Brighton Center). Whether you are already supporting John, considering who to support, or just starting to think about our next Mayor, I hope you will join us to learn more about John and his vision and experience.

You can also learn more about John at: http://www.connollyforboston.com/

Fire at 19 Mansfield Street

More details at https://twitter.com/BostonFire

Meet Candidates for Mayor and City Council At-Large

The Boston Ward 21 Democratic Committee invites you to meet with candidates for mayor and city council at-large:

Candidates Nights

Monday, July 15 and Thursday, July 18

6:00-8:30pm

At West End House Boys & Girls Club

105 Allston Street, Allston (www.westendhouse.org)

More details and a list of scheduled candidates will be posted at www.bostonward21.org when the events get closer.

Harvard-Allston Task Force Raises Concerns About Community Benefits Conversation

Harvard-Allston Task Force Raises Concerns About Community Benefits Conversation | News | The Harvard Crimson:

Gerald Autler, senior project manager at the Boston Redevelopment Authority, said on Monday that the task force would have a 60-day period to provide feedback on the master plan [that Harvard will file in July]. But task force member and Allston resident Bruce E. Houghton railed against Harvard and the BRA for expecting the task force to identify the benefits they want included in the plan in what he described as an unreasonably short period of time.

“What is expected of this community and what’s being placed on it...is inappropriate and impossible,” Houghton said. “What’s truly inappropriate is the fact that there’s an expectation on behalf of BRA that this community should put into place in four months a community benefit package that might last as long as 10 years.”

Send your input to the City of Boston for its Open Space Plan 2015-2021

Public Input | City of Boston

The City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department is reaching out to the public and to users of the parks, playgrounds, and other open spaces in the city, whether or not you reside in Boston, to learn about how they use open space in Boston and how we can improve their experience.

http://www.cityofboston.gov/parks/about/questionnaire.asp
.

Impending A/B North Development & Transportation

There's a lot coming our way in the next several years. What did I miss? What are your thoughts on these projects?

A/B North Transportation and Development by harry_mattison

Harvard Jams Western Ave

11:00 on Saturday morning and Western Ave is jammed in both directions from North Harvard Street to the Western Ave Bridge. Way too many cars per minute are trying to enter the Harvard Business School parking lot.

State plans 2-year, $10m project to rebuild Cambridge Street bridge over I-90 in Allston - Allston Brighton - Your Town - Boston.com

State plans 2-year, $10m project to rebuild Cambridge Street bridge over I-90 in Allston - Allston Brighton - Your Town - Boston.com:

Construction is expected to begin this fall, though the exact timeline has not been finalized

Once complete, the bridge will include a 10-foot-wide sidewalk on one side, nine-foot-wide sidewalk on the other side and six-foot-wide bike lanes abutting each sidewalk, officials said.

Between the bike and traffic lanes will be a three-foot-wide buffer. Each of the four total traffic lanes will be 11 feet wide. A six-foot-wide median will divide the bridge’s travel lanes.

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.

SEAS Affiliates Discuss Allston Campus Plans

SEAS Affiliates Discuss Allston Campus Plans | The Harvard Crimson:

"[Executive Dean for Administration G. Timothy] Bowman also said that he hoped the SEAS Allston campus would develop into a “college student hub” for students coming from the iLab and Harvard’s athletic facilities.

“We want it to be a destination that students, faculty, and the University community want to go to, even if they don’t have a class,” Bowman said."

I wonder what Dean Bowman thinks would make Western Ave a "college student hub"? Will the Allston community also want to go (or be invited to go) there? The previous plans for the Science Complex had Harvard-only amenities like a private rooftop restaurant & bar.

City proposes blocking Harvard from opening new buildings in Allston if school fails to meet terms for development

City proposes blocking Harvard from opening new buildings in Allston if school fails to meet terms for development - Allston Brighton - Your Town - Boston.com:

"The proposal would require Harvard to:

Start a community planning process this April to build its promised Rena Park and begin the first phase of the park’s construction in 2014; develop a comprehensive master plan for campus services, which would clarify that the 28 Travis St. relocation project is temporary; implement that campus services master plan within one year after the university opens its proposed science complex in Allston, which is scheduled to open in about five years; and to not run vehicular service between midnight and 6 a.m. at the 28 Travis St. site, Shen said.

If Harvard fails to comply with those conditions, the city would withhold occupancy permits for new buildings the university builds until the school is in compliance."

The A/B Kid Exodus

John Keith has done some nice work summarizing Boston's population changes by ages: Boston population changes over past two decades | Universal Hub

Here's the spreadsheet with data for all neighborhoods and the A/B data

Allston - Brighton population in 1990, 2000, and 2010

Here's how the # of kids 14 & under has steadily dropped in the last 20 years
1990: 5,939 (8.5% of total)
2000: 5,536 (7.9% of total)
2010: 4,583 (6.1% of total)

More than 1/2 of Allston and Brighton residents are in their 20s

Like shopping in Allston

Huge Russian Parties coming to Linden Street?

The "Russian Benevolent Society" will be at the Zoning Board of Appeal on March 26 seeking to increase their capacity for a "restaurant / lounge with live entertainment" to 450 people with outdoor seating for 90.
http://www.cityofboston.gov/ons/pdfs/allstonbright.pdf

In 2011 they got permission to serve dinner and liquor Thursday through Sunday night. (Under the society's old club license, it could only open to serve meals and liquors for functions.) \
http://www.universalhub.com/2011/russian-social-club-allston-gets-permission-turn-p

In 2012 they got permission to serve dinner seven days a week. (The society, originally set up as a private club, had been open to the public Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m)
http://www.universalhub.com/2012/russians-would-much-rather-drink-liquor-food-lawye

I wonder what they will do in 2014?

How Harvard is reneging on its Rena Park promise

A concerned reader sent me an email this afternoon because he and his friends are confused by this excerpt from the "SLAM Brings Allston Debate into Harvard Yard" story in today's Harvard Crimson:

"Mattison said that Harvard had promised to place a three-acre park where Barry’s Corner meets the residential community, but that the University is now reneging on that promise."

Hopefully this makes it more clear...

merriam-webster.com defines "renege" as "to go back on a promise or commitment".

Take a look at Rena Park near North Harvard Street in these Harvard plans from 2007 and 2008:

2008 Science Complex Cooperation Agreement (page 87)	2007 Harvard Draft Master Plan (page 46)
	"Adjacent to the Allston library on North Harvard Street will be the largest open space in Rena Park"

Here is Harvard's 2012 plan (which does not include the phrase "Rena Park")

2012 Harvard Draft Master Plan
Barry's Corner 10 year plan (page 36)	Long-Term Open Space Plan (page B-7)

Notice how during the last 4 years Harvard lost the big piece of Rena Park near North Harvard Street, the Honan Library, and Mellone Park? There is a little tail of "Harvard Campus Landscape" extending to the east, but no "Public Open Space" where Harvard promised the largest open space in Rena Park.

Program for Our 2013 Policy Conference » Progressive Massachusetts

Check this out if you are interested in discussing health care, education, economic policy and more with some of the most influential and knowledgeable people around

Program for Our 2013 Policy Conference » Progressive Massachusetts:

Progressive Mass Policy Conference
March 24 – 8AM-5PM - Newton, MA
Lasell College - Nearest T-Stop: Riverside/Green Line

SLAM Brings Allston Debate into Harvard Yard | The Harvard Crimson

SLAM Brings Allston Debate into Harvard Yard | The Harvard Crimson:

"Harvard’s Student Labor Action Movement brought the Allston debate into Harvard Yard Wednesday in a community forum led by a panel of Harvard-Allston Task Force members and community development experts.

Harvard undergraduates, staff, Allston residents, and members of the broader community gathered at the Phillips Brooks House to discuss Harvard’s role and responsibilities in Allston.

No representatives from the Harvard administration attended the event."

Allston residents to back Harvard project if university agrees to several demands - Allston Brighton - Your Town - Boston.com

Allston residents to back Harvard project if university agrees to several demands -Boston.com:

"The Harvard Allston Task Force voted unanimously at a meeting Tuesday night to recommend that the city’s redevelopment authority approve the relocation proposal, but only if the conditions are met.

The task force drafted a resolution asking Harvard to:

include in its master plan locations where all of its campus support services can be housed and that those locations not be near residential streets;

that the services that would be relocated to 28 Travis St. are moved out of that location before the university opens its proposed science complex in Allston, which is scheduled for completion about five years from now; and

that schedules are set for construction of the proposed Rena Park and for the North Allston / North Brighton Community Master Plan that would have the park and the community planning process completed before the science complex opens."

Allston's No Parking Apartment Building Is a Great But Terrible Idea

Allston's No Parking Apartment Building Is a Great But Terrible Idea: "Boston’s cheap street parking results in a bad case of trickle-down parking economics: Since the city charges nothing for resident spaces, you can justify having a car because it’s free to keep it on the street—even if your building doesn’t provide a space.

If, however, the city started charging a fair and accurate price for street parking, then we’d see far fewer cars on the street, because it’d be far more expensive to keep them here. In that case, Mariscal’s building would make total sense: If you really want to have a car, pay up. Our streets aren’t free."

'via Blog this'

Swissbäkers bakery, cafe to open Allston on 2/28

Swissbäkers bakery, cafe to open Allston location this month - Allston Brighton - Your Town - Boston.com: "Grand opening ceremonies are set for Thursday, Feb. 28 from 5 to 8 p.m., store owners announced this week."

'via Blog this'

North Allston street parking & space savers on CBS Boston

From Railroad to Recreation or just more landbanking?

There is a timely story in today's NY Times (BeltLine Provides New Life to Railroad Tracks in Atlanta) about converting railroads into recreational opportunities.

Finding new uses for old railroads hasn't always done much for walkers, joggers, and cyclists in Allston and Brighton, as when the space formerly used by the railroad tracks between Lincoln Street and the Mass Pike were used to widen the Pike by adding a westbound breakdown lane.

As CSX winds down its operations at the Beacon Yards facility and Romar leaves as well, it is a big open question as to what will happen on this land in the next several years. Ten years ago Harvard spent $200 million to purchase the rail yards and land under the Mass Pike. Since then, the Harvard story has been that Harvard had no access to the land while it was being actively used.

Now, the days of its active use are dwindling (Houghton Chemical and the MBTA Commuter Rail continue, using just a small fraction of the land shown in the photo above).

Harvard's new story seems to be that this land is too contaminated to even contemplate using. So I took a look at "Understanding Environmental Contaminants - Lessons Learned and Guidance to Keep Your Rail-Trail Project on Track" from the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy. The process they describe is not rocket science. For example:

Hard surfaces, such as asphalt and cement, may be used to "cap" or cover and isolate contaminated soil. Likewise, the use of crushed stone with appropriate depth may also be used.

The report cites an example from Benzie, Michigan where soil contaminated with arsenic and benzopyrene was capped and/or removed and replaced with crushed limestone. The total cost for clean up, engineering, and trail surface (crushed stone) for a 3.3 mile section of the trail was $750,000.

As the CSX trains leave Allston for the last time it will be the end of an era that goes back to at least 1899 when this map was made. It will be interesting to see how quickly the cleanup starts so the next chapter can begin.

ALLSTON-BRIGHTON ON THE MOVE: Boston’s Most Transportation Changing Neighborhood

If you have any interest in transportation, housing, planning, and development in Allston and Brighton (which is probably just about everyone who is reading this blog), I highly recommend this in-depth article by Steve Miller.

ALLSTON-BRIGHTON ON THE MOVE: Boston’s Most Transportation Changing Neighborhood | Steve Miller's Blog:

Jon Stewart says "Crimson Lied"

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Lower Allston Crime Watch meeting - Feb 25

BPD District 14 Officer Frank Hughes is holding a Crime Watch Meeting to discuss ways we can work together to make our neighborhood a better place.

When: Monday, February 25th , 6:30pm-7:30pm
Where: Brian Honan Library

Globe story about Harvard, Allston, Engineering & Travis Street

Harvard to move much of Engineering school to Allston campus - Harvard - Your Campus - Boston.com:

Harvard to soon have more vacant Allston land

archBOSTON.org - View Single Post - Harvard - Allston Campus:

Per a CSX employee on RR.net: http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewt...t=660#p1142961
Beacon Park freight yard officially closing next Friday, Feb. 15.
Engine house yard along Storrow will remain open until at least April.

Massachusetts Democratic Party Caucuses coming soon

Democrats in Allston and Brighton will be holding caucuses to elect delegates to the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s 2013 Platform Convention. All registered Democrats are eligible to participate.

Massachusetts Democratic Party » 2013 Caucuses:

Ward 21 3/2/2013 11:00 AM Brighton Library 40 Academy Hill Rd, Brighton, MA 02135
Lauren 617-939-9921 lauren@bostonward21.org

Ward 22 2/9/2013 1:00 p.m. Veronica B. Smith Senior Center Auditorium 20 Chestnut Hill Avenue, Brighton, MA 02135
Millie Hollum-McLaughlin 617-254-5853 milliemclaughlin@hotmail.com

You can find out your ward # at http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/MyElectionInfo.aspx

Nice to see that Harvard can cooperate with the City when it wants to

This educational connection to the Harvard campus being announced by the Mayor tonight is great. Physical connections to the campus are also important, which is why it is too bad that Harvard continues to cling to its proposal for a parking lot and truck maintenance facility on Travis Street.

In speech, Menino to announce initiative with Harvard, MIT - News - Boston.com:

Two world-renowned universities have been tethered to Boston for almost a century by trains on the Red Line. Soon, the city may be able to boast a more reliable connection to the main campuses of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The City of Boston plans to launch a partnership with the two institutions through the experimental online initiative edX, which offers free courses to anyone with Internet access. In his State of the City address Tuesday night, Mayor Thomas M. Menino will announce an effort to bring edX to Boston’s community centers, according to his staff.

Residents frustrated by Harvard expansion in Allston | Harvard Magazine

Residents frustrated by Harvard expansion in Allston, architect Behnisch rehired | Harvard Magazine:

"RESIDENTS AT A Harvard Allston Task force community meeting Wednesday night expressed frustration and concern over the University’s new Institutional Master Plan Notification Form (IMPNF), filed in October. They called for Harvard to honor existing commitments to community projects before breaking ground on its proposed project at Barry’s Corner, a mixed-use, residential-and-retail complex located at the intersection of North Harvard Street and Western Avenue in the North Allston neighborhood."

Legislative update discussion with our state senators and representatives - January 31

Learn Pottery for $187, $195, or $720

Waiting in the lobby of the Honan Library yesterday to meet a friend, I noticed the course catalogs for adult ed programs in Brookline and Newton.

I found these interesting because Harvard is moving its Ceramics program to 224 Western Ave (the former Verizon building, next door to the Dunkin Donuts) from its current location in the basement of a warehouse next to Smith Field.

Moving Harvard Ceramics closer to the Allston community seems like a great opportunity for it to become more a part of the Allston community while continuing and expanding its institutional programs.

In Brookline, you can take an 8-session course for $187
In Newton, you can take an 8-session course for $195
Want to take a 12-session course at the Harvard studio in Allston? $720

More on Harvard's Empty Allston Warehouses

After my visit yesterday, I thought someone at Harvard might realize that someone should locks the doors of their unlocked empty warehouses. Apparently not.

Not only is the Romar building vacant, but the Michael's Moving & Storage building is too.

Travis Street? Why Not Romar?

For years, Allston has hosted the most unattractive parts of Harvard's campus like this maintenance yard along the east edge of Smith Field. Now, as part of its Barry's Corner revitalization project, Harvard wants to move this stuff from one side of Barry's Corner to another.

But in Harvard's vast Allston real estate empire, how can this be the best option for the community?

I mentioned a few months ago Romar's impending departure from Harvard property in Allston.

Harvard's 10 year Master Plan proposal includes less than half of the Romar site.

I went over to the Romar site this morning to see if Romar is still there. If the property is empty and not needed by Harvard for other uses in the next 10 years, it seems like a great place for Harvard's parking lots, mail room services, storage space, the University's recycling program, and maintenance and upkeep of the University's fleet of buses, vehicles, and other maintenance equipment.

Inside the empty Romar warehouse - 3:30 in the video

In defending its selection of the Travis Street location, Harvard claims that "Harvard's undeveloped property to the east of the site was also considered, but would have required new construction rather than adaptive reuse of existing structures. The selected approach [Travis Street] is seen as most desirable from the perspective of functionality, sustainability, and overall neighborhood quality of life."

How can that be true when Harvard has this empty warehouse where it would have no impact on Allston's quality of life and it would leave the possibility of some truly neighborhood-friendly use on Travis Street in the future?

See more at http://allston02134.blogspot.com/2012/12/more-on-harvards-empty-allston.html

Proposed Relocation Draws Criticism from Allston Residents

Proposed Relocation Draws Criticism from Allston Residents | News | The Harvard Crimson:

“There must be some consideration about the wants and needs of the community,” said Ray V. Mellone, Task Force chair and Allston resident, who said he thought that the process was “broken.”

The Herter/Greenough Loop & Allston/Brighton River Connections - Monday @ 7pm

Interested in how Allston and Brighton could be better connected to the Charles River?
Do you like to walk, jog, run, or bike along the River?
If so, please join us on Monday, December 17 to learn more about the Herter-Greenough Loop!

The Solomon Foundation, in partnership with the DCR and MassDOT, has sponsored a design study to transform Greenough Boulevard along the Charles River into a fully accessible greenway for walkers, joggers, and cyclists as well as drivers. By linking this mile long greenway to Herter Park at the north end of Everett Street, a seamless 2 1/2 mile loop path around the river would be created.

The plan also identifies the need for improved access from Alston and Brighton. Herb Nolan, the Deputy Director of the Solomon Foundation, recently met with DCR staff and some of our elected officials and is interested in getting more community input.

The meeting will be at 28 Mansfield St on Monday at 7pm. Pizza will be provided.

More details about the plan at http://www.solomonfoundation.org/pages/projects/her.html

Harvard makes an Allston accounting adjustment

Harvard makes an Allston accounting adjustment | Harvard Magazine Jan-Feb 2013

"Much of the land is now a blank slate, for potential academic use far in the future."

Allston master plan submitted by Harvard marks end of grandiose plans

Allston master plan submitted by Harvard in 2012 marks end of grandiose plans | Harvard Magazine Jan-Feb 2013

"Gone are the reconfigured bridges over the Charles River, the new undergraduate Houses, the 10 million square feet of building space, and the performing-arts pavilion at Barry’s Corner. In the vicinity of the latter, a parking lot is now contemplated for the construction vehicles used to build the mix of housing, retail, and athletic facilities that administrators are proposing for the land Harvard began quietly acquiring in 1988, 25 years ago."

"The net result, at least in the most public-facing locations of greatest interest to Allston residents, is a substantially more modest 10-year undertaking than contemplated even 18 months ago."

"The totality of projects planned for Allston in the next 10 years is perhaps more inward-looking than residents might have wished.

Planning across the river for a new Central Sq

Sketching a new Central Square in Cambridge - Cambridge, Massachusetts - Cambridge Chronicle & Tab:

Chief among the recommendations is an incentive for developers to build more housing of all kinds – but especially affordable and middle-income housing – in exchange for added height and density.

If approved, the new zoning would allow heights of up to 100 feet by right – up from the current allowable height of 80 feet – and 120-160 feet by a special permit on the condition that at least 20 percent of the bonus-floor area be devoted permanently to middle-income housing.

The recommendations stipulate that any heights above 80 feet along Massachusetts Avenue be devoted only to residential use and that no two adjacent building facades have a combined height of 220 feet.

Welcome SwissBakers to Allston! Stop by the tent on Western Ave this afternoon for tasty treats

Harvard selling 29 acres in Watertown

This is interesting. Harvard has a lot of property in its Allston/Brighton land-bank that doesn't seem to be doing anything to support education & research. Maybe Harvard will sell some of it and allow it to be put to better use.

University To Sell Arsenal on the Charles | News | The Harvard Crimson:

"University spokesperson Kevin Galvin wrote that Harvard had been reviewing its off-campus property to see how it fit with the University’s goals of supporting education and research."

swissbäkers now open on Western Ave

Starting at 3pm today and closing at 7pm, you’ll be able to get swissbakers goodies at 168 Western Ave

pic.twitter.com/Mk2RTrkJ

Another Speedway meeting - Will something happen this time?

DCR hosted another event yesterday with the hopes of someday having the Speedway property at the end of Western Ave renovated and in active use. I've been going to these meetings for 6 years, and I'm not sure why there might be a happier ending this time. But if nothing else it is nice that DCR is making an effort. It still is an amazing old building but my is it in horrible condition. I can't imagine how any for-profit or non-profit could make it financially viable to pour millions & millions into making it habitable.

Maybe this happy young couple would be interested

Public comments on the Harvard IMP are online

http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/pdf/PlanningPublications/Harvard-Allston%20Harvard%20IMPNF%20Comments%20November%202012.pdf

Radcliffe Public Art Competition - A Great Idea for Harvard in Allston

The winner of this competition gets $35,000 to build the art and a $5,000 honorarium. This is a great idea and it would be lovely to see Harvard bring the same spirit and modest budget to Allston where it could help enliven Barry's Corner and many other public sites where Harvard's drab buildings and empty lots could be dramatically improved.

Radcliffe Institute Public Art Competition | Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University:
"The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study is sponsoring an annual competition that highlights the potential of public art, and the visual arts in general, to contribute to intellectual conversations at Harvard and beyond."

The view of Harvard, from Harvard

Harvard is occasionally accused of being too insular and inward-focused, and images like this in Harvard's new Master Plan only reinforce that perception.

If Harvard really cares about the view from the Eliot House Tower in Cambridge to Baker Library on the HBS campus in Allston, that is certainly their prerogative. To me it seems like a strange priority. The tower's Celtic green cupola and gilded accents are lovely to look at, but how many people ever climb the tower to gaze across the Charles at Allston?

This is also an amazing image to submit to the Boston Redevelopment Authority and the residents of Allston/Brighton. Where are the new visual and architectural focal points that Harvard plans to build in Allston? What new view corridors does Harvard plan to build to visually connect the Allston community with the new Harvard Allston campus? Apparently there are few, if any.

The existing east-west view corridors (shown in red) of Hopedale St & Amboy St don't even connect with the blue "extended axis" lines that Harvard proposes on the currently abandoned Sears site. The extended axis that continues east from Bertram Street cuts through the middle of the Science Complex but doesn't align with much of anything that architecturally had been proposed for the Science Complex. Hopefully we will see that corridor become a reality in the Science Complex re-design. Finally, the extended axis that continues east from end of Rena Street cuts through the warehouses and truck maintenance facility that Harvard proposes to build at the intersection of Rena and Travis Street.

The back-side of Harvard's proposed basketball arena gets two black dots indicating "focal point opportunities". But it is only the back-side from my view in Allston. For Harvard, that is the front of the arena, and the view from Harvard Stadium is what matters to Harvard, not the view from Allston.

Forgetting Barry’s Corner | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson

Forgetting Barry’s Corner | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson:

"...In the past 20 years, Harvard has repeatedly neglected the short- and long-term needs of Allston residents in favor of pursuing its own grand plans for expansion. Unfortunately, unfulfilled promises of community development cannot rectify a decision-making model that does not account for the needs of community residents..."

Allston cash to fund Harvard "other projects"

Harvard’s changing financial profile | Harvard Gazette:

LAPP: In Allston, the planning has shifted significantly in the last few years. It’s much more focused on a five- to 10-year time frame; it’s using our assets to generate income that will support other projects. The big project we’re building in Barry’s Corner, the multiunit market-rate rental housing and retail complex, is being done with a developer, and the long-term ground lease will be providing income to the University.

Now's the time to get your BAHS 2013 calendar

BAHS Calendar

Open Studios this weekend

Enjoy the amazing creations of many local artists
November 10-11 Noon - 6pm

1 Braintree Street
119 Braintree Street
20 Rugg Road

Allston/Brighton Open Studios

Harvard's 2008 promises coming due - Transfomative Project

Harvard's 2008 promises coming due - Rena Park

Rena Park is not "due" until the Science Complex is occupied. If Harvard keeps its new timeline and re-starts construction in 2014 it will probably be 4-5 years until it is occupied. That being said, when will the interim improvements, design and planning begin so that they will be completed in time?

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