Harvard in the City
Allston Residents, Elected Officials Ask for More Benefits from Harvard’s 10-Year Plan
As Harvard finalizes its Institutional Master Plan in Allston, residents and elected officials called on the University to fulfill its previous promises and increase contributions to the Boston neighborhood.
Advocates Raise Concerns As Boston PILOT Report Remains Unreleased
While property taxes comprise nearly three quarters of Boston’s revenue, nonprofits are exempt from paying this tax. Instead, the PILOT program asks large non-profits to voluntarily pay a portion of what they would have otherwise paid in property taxes. The 2024 report on contributions has yet to be released.
Harvard Nears Construction Milestones in Allston Amid Development Boom
Harvard is soon to bring hundreds of new housing units online in Allston as the University approaches several major construction milestones in its long-running expansion across the river.
‘A Complicated Marriage’: Cambridge Calls on Harvard to Increase Optional PILOT Payments
The city of Cambridge called on Harvard to increase their optional municipal payments at a city council meeting Monday night — after failing to reach a new agreement with the University by the end-of-year deadline.
Harvard, Cambridge Fail To Reach New PILOT Agreement by End-of-Year Deadline
Harvard and the city of Cambridge have missed their end-of-year deadline for renegotiating Harvard’s Payment in Lieu of Taxes program, which replaces a portion of the property taxes that the University is otherwise exempt from paying.
Harvard Files 10-Year Master Plan for Allston, Kicking Off Next Phase of Negotiations
Harvard filed its 2025-2035 Institutional Master Plan for its Allston campus on Tuesday, officially marking the next phase of negotiations with Boston officials over the University’s planned decade of development.
The Fight to Preserve Harriet Jacobs’ Legacy in Cambridge
A historical preservation committee wants to maintain the home of a formerly enslaved woman as a memorial and museum. The owner wants to build a boutique hotel. It’s a tenuous marriage.
Harvard Arnold Arboretum Renames Bussey Street to Flora Way in Honor of Enslaved Woman
Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum formally renamed Bussey Street — named after a merchant whose wealth came from slave-produced goods — to Flora Way at an unveiling ceremony Saturday.
Boston to Overhaul Development Review Process
Boston is one step closer to making a major overhaul of its long-maligned development review process after Mayor Michelle Wu ’07 unveiled a draft modernization plan last week.
Cambridge City Manager Hopeful PILOT Negotiations With Harvard Will End Early
Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang ’05 said in a Friday interview he was optimistic that Cambridge’s ongoing negotiations with Harvard for a new PILOT agreement will conclude by the end of the calendar year.
Harvard-Funded Road Crossings in Allston in Limbo After 7-Year Delay
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation has yet to begin construction on two road crossings in Allston, seven years after Harvard committed $3.5 million for the project.
Harvard Chabad Appeals Zoning Board Decision to Reject Expansion
Harvard Chabad, after twice failing to secure city approval for a large-scale expansion, appealed the decision Monday afternoon — just hours before their deadline to do so.
Harvard Researchers and Amazon Collaborate to Launch Boston’s First Quantum Network
Harvard physicists took a giant step towards full-scale quantum internet networks this month, creating the longest quantum network so far with cables running between Boston and Cambridge.
An Emerging Hub: How Biotech Spread to Allston
Allston, an area which has long been known as a hub for college students, immigrant families, and mixed industrial uses is now emerging as a new hub for one of Boston’s most lucrative industries: biotech.
Harvard Square Homeless Shelter Debuts Renovations To Adapt To 6-Month Stays
The Harvard Square Homeless Shelter unveiled the renovation of their space on Friday — and with it, a dramatic shift in their model to allow shelter guests to stay for the entirety of the 6-month operational season.
Council Endorses Bill Allowing Cities to Require Payments From Large Nonprofits, Including Harvard
The Cambridge City Council voted on Tuesday to endorse a state bill that would allow the city to require large institutions like Harvard to pay 25 percent of their assessed property value through Payment in Lieu of Taxes payments.
Amid Encampment, Cambridge City Council Discusses Resolution Supporting Student Right to Protest
The Cambridge City Council discussed a resolution urging University administration and city leadership to respect students’ rights to peacefully protest.
Boston Man Re-Enters Guilty Plea for Fentanyl, Heroin, Cocaine Delivery to Harvard Lab
A Boston man pled guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin — some of which was delivered to a Harvard biology lab in 2019 – on Sunday.
Harvard Updates Cambridge on Construction and Climate Initiatives in 27th ‘Town Gown’ Report
Harvard discussed its developments in Cambridge and Allston and sustainability efforts during its 27th annual Town Gown report to the Cambridge Planning Board Tuesday evening.
Harvard Increases Funding Pledge for Allston I-90 Multimodal Project to $90M as Part of State’s New Financing Plan
Harvard has added $32 million to its pledged cash contribution for the Allston I-90 Multimodal Project — the infrastructure plan poised to transform Allston over at least the coming decade — as part of a new, detailed plan for financing the project unveiled last week.
Construction on Harvard’s Enterprise Research Campus in Allston is Set to Begin
Construction for the first phase of Harvard’s Enterprise Research Campus in Allston is set to begin this week, after developer Tishman Speyer announced that it secured financing for the project last Friday.
Harvard Awards $200,000 in Grants to Allston Nonprofits in 15th Year of Partnership Fund
Harvard announced grants totaling $200,000 to 20 different organizations and programs in Allston as part of the Harvard-Allston Partnership Fund at a ceremony last Thursday.