This Is Harvard

Good Op-Ed in the Crimson…

“While these plans had their supporters and detractors, little can be accomplished by dwelling on what they envisioned for the distant future and may never accomplish. Instead of debating what might have been, Harvard has an opportunity—and perhaps an obligation to itself and its neighbors—to chart a new and bold course for its future in Allston and Brighton”

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2009/12/9/harvard-allston-brighton-harvards/

http://allston02134.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-op-ed-in-todays-harvard-crimson.html

In 0.3 miles…

…I saw 3 Rats while walking back from Shaw’s. This will not become the Rat reporting blog… but really?

Or maybe this means the new barrels are working? They have to be braver to find food?

And on a mildly different topic Coakley and Brown came out on top. Which one will talk about Harvard and Allston?

Vote!

Remember there is a special election to fill Ted Kennedy’s spot in the Senate.

Primary - December 8, 2009

There was even some talk of Allston in the debates:
http://allston02134.blogspot.com/2009/11/paglica-has-momentum-to-move-allston.html

Rubber Stamp the Democrat (General Election) - January 19, 2010

…or vote for a third party (or second party in Massachusetts):

http://joekennedyforsenate.com/

Bank Robbery?

The Citizen’s Bank in Stop and Shop in Brighton is surrounded by D-14 officers. The lights are out and all the tellers look spooked. I’m guessing bank robbery or attempted robbery…

Rat Attack! Good thing for new barrels

Admittly no one took the trash out for Thanksgiving week, but this was fine given the over abudance of trash barrels we now have.  Upon bringing in the barrels this morning I noticed that one of them had a hole GNAWED through it.  The marks look bigger than a mouse and smaller than a squarrel.  I think (and hope) the new City of Boston barrels are thicker than our old rubbermaid.

In other news I had my first sidewalk rat sighting in awhile the Monday before Thanksgiving.  This time the rat took longer to flee.  As a side note I saw no rats during my 2 weeks in China.  So Allston has the distinct honor of having more rats than Hong Kong or ShenZhen per capitia, based on my sample size of 1 observer.

Maybe Boston should have an open hunting season on rats?  Only subsonic air powered sidearms allowed, firing within 300 yards of a dwelling would be allowed…  actually that sounds like suicide… it would probably take a 410 shotgun to take out an Allston rat…

12/10 Meeting on Charlesview

Come out to voice your opinion!

I’ve been trying to add Allston related events to following public google calender:

http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=qruirkfmg1nautt4c9kug296vc%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York

Brookline Machine still in play?

As stated previously in this blog Brookline Machine should be added to the new Charlesview acreage to further reduce density and add open space/public use area.

==
from Rourke, Jay
date Tue, Nov 17, 2009 at 6:04 AM
subject Public Hearing - The Redevelopment of Charlesview

Allston/Brighton Community:

The BRA feels that the Charlesview redevelopment project has completed the public process and is ready for consideration by the BRA Board of Directors for approval. Nonetheless, it will be removed from tomorrow night’s agenda because there is no finalized agreement between Harvard University and the BRA concerning the future of the adjacent Brookline Machinery site. The public hearing will be rescheduled and re-advertised once a satisfactory agreement with Harvard has been achieved.

Regards,

Jay

Revised Charlesview Plan

Is the third time the charm?

http://www.scribd.com/doc/22530948/Revisions-The-Charles-View-Redevelopment

For those following the Charlesview relocation this is the third revision to the plan to move Charlesview from its current location blocking Harvard’s contiguous access to its other Allston properties to taking over the land held by the long defunct K-Mart/Office Max location.

Less density and less height seem like sound steps in the right direction.  Likewise increase in retail space is good.  The claim is made that open space is maintained constant relative to the last proposal.

Is it me or did they put a building in the middle of the promenade/park adjacent to the proposed Telford St?

This proposal still doesn’t answer some important questions:

1. Is this development going to be financially sound - i.e. will it fall into disrepair like the current Charlesview?  Is it dependent on higher fees paid by people living in the Telford building?

2. What about Brookline Machine?  This lot is literally surrounded by the new development and I can’t see what Harvard would possibly do with land except give it to Charlesview.

Other comments:

1. I’m ok with 5 story buildings on Western Ave.  Its done on Cambridge St and I don’t think its unreasonable.  The first proposal of, what was it, 9 stories did seem way too tall.

2. The design does successfully have a tree lined “path” to the river.  This is really needed.  I’m not sure how many people take evening walks in the neighborhood, but its less than tree lined.  This would be enhanced by more open space adjacent to that path as proposed in the second proposal - think JFK park on the other side of the river in Cambridge.

3. Most importantly and the thrust of our blog - this does something with a decent and visible chunk of Harvard’s unused and derelict Harvard land.  We just need to ensure this is the best possible plan we can get.

===

Note this proposal is being released right before the next BRA meeting on Tuesday.  Accompanying e-mail message:

“Allston/Brighton Community:

Please see the attached revisions to the Charlesview Redevelopment proposal

In response to comments raised during the review of the Draft Project Impact Report (“DPIR”) and Development Plan, the Proponent has already requested a reduction of twenty (20) rental units on the Brighton Mills Site from two hundred and sixty (260) rental units to two hundred and forty (240) units. The Proponent is now requesting a reduction of height on the Telford Site to seven (7) stories and a reduction of height on the Western Avenue buildings on the Brighton Mills Site to primarily five (5) stories.

Please contact me should you have any questions.

Regards,

Jay

<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>

Jay Rourke

Senior Project Manager

Boston Redevelopment Authority

One City Hall Plaza

Boston Massachusetts 02201

617.918.4317 - w

617.742.7783 - f

jay.rourke.bra@cityofboston.gov”

Harvard has more money to spend…

…and I can think of a few places that could use more funding.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=529806

Come out Oct 5, not tomorrow, for Charlesview

Let your voice be heard!

===
RESCHEDULED Community Meeting - The Charlesview Redevelopment / PDA #74
From: Rourke, Jay

TOMORROW NIGHT’S COMMUNITY MEETING FOR THE CHARLESVIEW REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2009 AT 6:00PM AND WILL BE HELD AT THE HONAN ALLSTON LIBRARY. THE CITY’S CHIEF PLANNER, KAIROS SHEN, WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THE MEETING BUT HAS A CONFLICT TOMORROW EVENING. I APOLOGIZE FOR THIS CHANGE IN SCHEDULE AND HOPE TO SEE YOU ON OCTOBER 5TH.