Council Ponders NASA Location

The city of Cambridge and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration continued their flirtation over the location of NASA's $60 million electronics center yesterday.

In a special executive session, the Cambridge City Council last night heard the findings of a city study group which has been evaluating several possible sites within Cambridge.

Agreement Sought

The Council will debate the study group's report again Monday night. If the Councillors agree on one site, they will authorize the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority to apply for funds for the project--a key source of revenue in NASA's plans. The City will then resume negotiations with NASA over the specific site.

Three weeks ago NASA indicated its interest in building the Center at one of several Cambridge sites, primarily because of the proximity of Harvard and M.I.T. At that time, the federal space agency asked Cambridge to report on the feasibility of obtaining the sites for the Center.

Renewal Funds

Complicating the picture, however, are the urban renewal funds which are available for construction associated with the Space Center. Cambridge may favor a project that would involve private development as well as the NASA project, but the availability of urban renewal funds may prove an obstacle.

The Kendall Square area (near M.I.T.) is presently receiving primary consideration. Within this area, however, the city has several alternatives. There is an easily obtainable 14-acre site (which is too small according to NASA estimates). Cambridge could, however attempt a much larger undertaking that could involve as much as 47 acres. The latter would include private tax-paying development involving M.I.T.

Reportedly, some consideration is being given to offering NASA only the 14 acre site and asking the agency to acquire ten acres on its own.