Search
 

Harvard Faces Opposition in Proposed Museum Development

CAMBRIDGE, MA-A proposal by Harvard University to develop a pair of art museums here in the Riverside section of the city is met with intense local opposition and prompts the city to impose an 18-month building moratorium on the area.

By Naomi Grossman | Updated on November 15, 2001

CAMBRIDGE, MA-Harvard University’s proposal to develop a pair of art museums here on Memorial Drive in the Riverside section of the neighborhood is facing intense local opposition from residents who resent increasing development by the University.

Harvard wants to develop the pair of museums on university-owned land that is currently being leased by Mahoney’s Garden Center. While the University has not yet filed plans for the project, an official with the city confirms for GlobeSt.com that the university has proposed developing the museums. But a citizen’s petition by local residents, in reaction to Harvard’s proposal, was enough to convince the city to impose an 18-month building moratorium on this area so it could have time to evaluate zoning recommendations. According to the official, the parcel is divided into two separate lots on either side of the street. One parcel is 30,805 sf while the other is 61,634 sf.

“We oppose the moratorium,” Mary Power, the university’s senior director of community relations, tells GlobeSt.com. “We cannot support the use of moratoriums to stop individual projects or as a substitute for comprehensive planning.” Harvard is participating in the study committee sponsored by the city, along with local residents and representatives from the city, which is supposed to evaluate the area. “The outcome of this zoning committee process will have bearing on the decision,” Power says, referring to the art museums. The proposed museum site is currently zoned for institutional use.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.