Harvard rents a building!

As reported by the BRA and Allston Brighton Community Blog Harvard has RENTED one of the many empty buildings it owns in Allston!

I believe the building in question had been used by the Harvard Police and some contractors.  It seemed to be one of least run down buildings in their inventory.  Although the Crimson reports that some build out will happen maybe this will prove to Harvard that it needs to up the maintance of its vacant buildings to make them more marketable.

Regardless great news.  1 done, many to go.

Charlesview approved

Although it isn’t all we wanted I’m somewhat glad its done.  Let’s demolish some empty buildings!  And actually replace them with new buildings!

Charlesview apartments approved

Boston Business Journal - by Mary Moore

The Boston Zoning Commission on Thursday approved a mixed-income development proposed by nonprofit builder The Community Builders and Charlesview Inc., the governing board of the Charlesview Apartments.

The new Charlesview Residences in Allston will includee 240 rental units and 100 owned units.

full story

Also mild kudos to Harvard for coming up with creatives uses for an empty VW dealership… time to go to Play It Again sports for some cheap skates since its BYO-skates.

Also also don’t forget to vote Tuesday.

Support Positive Change in our Neighborhood!

Community Artwork

Art is always controverial, but its better than mindless graffiti and blight.

Miles suggested flowers. Walsh suggested a skyline or clouds. Instead, in the weeks to come, the mural will fade to a blank wall.

…a blank wall that will become quickly blighted.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/08/21/allston_x_men_theme_mural_soon_must_fade_to_blank/

http://allston02134.blogspot.com/2009/08/say-goodbye-to-lincoln-st-mural.html

This is where I break from some of the long time residents and where I try to be more pragmatic for the good of the community.  Whether you love it or hate it, its an improvement and its removal will not help our community.

Support the new Corner Cafe coffee shop

A new not for profit cafe has opened near the corner of Western and North Harvard St were Stadium Convenience and more recently a Boston Housing Police substation were located.  During a walk to Harvard Square I noticed the new shop.  Walking over to investigate I found that it had just closed.  The workers there were nice enough to open up and let us buy some ice cream.  They also showed one of my friends their refrigerator packed with pastries from Finale.  Would a chain store reopen after hours or be staffed by such courtious people?  I think not (no comments about some of the staff at Bruegger’s at Shaw’s)

Western Ave gets more art

I’d like to see a tenant there, but a little art in the windows is a step in the right direction.

I want my new park and triple deckers…

Walking around last Sunday there were lots of great things to see — utility boxes being painted (1) and new pansies planted everywhere (2).  Walking around to the other side of the river I saw a new park near completion at the corner of Western and Memorial where Mahoney’s used to be.  The park looked like it was very well designed and had 3 new buildings rising behind it (top of image to the left).  The buildings blended in with the neighborhood well — not too tall, not too wide.  If it wasn’t for the new paint and my memory of the area I would have said they were there for years.  I thought what a great model for Harvard and/or Charlesview to follow.  I asked a friend in Cambridgeport and he said it was new MIT housing.  Great!  I can write a blog lambasting Harvard and holding up MIT as an example of what is pure and good.

Wrong!  Upon googling the project it became quickly clear this was a Harvard development (3).  Wha-wha-what?!?   I’m confused.  Shouldn’t there be a large tower blocking the river or perhaps a large hole in the ground (ok, there was a small hole, but I saw the dirt that was going to fill it in piled next to it)? 

Ok, I’m bashing Harvard for the new Charlesview design, which they allegedly have no control over, and for a building that they allegedly don’t have the money to complete and they ARE continuing work on the Library Park.  All I have to say is they seem to be doing a pretty good job on the other side of the river and spotty job on this side. 

And at the risk of sounding like a broken record — the new Charlesview will be their neighbor too.  If that comes off poorly Harvard students won’t need http://www.thisisharvard.org to see poorly maintained Harvard-related buildings, they will only need to look out their classroom or apartment windows.

(1) http://allston02134.blogspot.com/2009/04/boston-shines-brings-art-to-western-ave.html;   My favorite so far is the one in front of Stadium Autobody.

(2) Can’t get the photos off my camera with BitPim, but walk around they’re really there!  Especially in Barry’s Corner.

(3)  http://www.cambridgema.gov/cdd/cp/parks/riverside/index.html

Mutant Rats Attack Allston?

This would be funny if it wasn’t (almost) true:

http://www.ivygateblog.com/2009/04/harvard-expansion-unearthing-rats-big-enough-to-put-saddles-on-allston-residents-not-glad/

Oldies, but goodies - Allston resists Harvard

Former Charlesbank Cleaners:

Former Citgo

 (1) http://groups.google.com/group/ABNNF/browse_thread/thread/38462be4dfe8e7bc

How hard is it to spend $261?

I got the letter from Michael Flaherty that was mentioned on the Allston Brighton Community Blog (1).  According to Mr. Flaherty Harvard still has $28 billion in its endowment up from $9 billion in 1997.  They could pay for the Science Center with cash and it would only take 3.6% of their current endowment.  For the median American household that’s like spending $261 (1).  Honestly we’d be happy if Harvard spent far less than $1 billion on the rental properties they own and on efforts to lease them.  Maybe they should move some money from imaginary bucket number 1 into imaginary bucket number 2 and placate us and their students (3).

(1) http://allston02134.blogspot.com/2009/03/keeping-our-promises.html

(2) $45,016 (median US household income) * 16.1% (average US savings rate) * 3.6% ($1 billion/$28 billion)

Dirty and empty at 168 Western Ave

The Real Reason For The Construction Stop Has Been Found

ThisIsHarvard.org has it first!  During construction of the foundation for the Science Center planned on Western Ave workers discovered an ancient crypt.  Our startling photos show that the tomb contained none other than the legendary holy grail. 

Construction was halted immediately while experts debated how to proceed.  Luckily Harvard has plenty of experts.  With secret committees meeting around the clock they’re planning out the next steps.  It is hoped that the grail can be used to just “make things happen”.  There is also hope that Jimmy Hoffa’s final resting place may be located somewhere under the grail’s tomb.

Artist Rendering of the grail: