Harvard vision not what neighbors see
Say arts center spoils plan for Barry's Corner
By Billy Baker, Globe Correspondent | February 18, 2007
Harvard University calls it an art center. North Allston residents call it a glorified warehouse.
The ongoing debate over Harvard's plans for expansion into the North Allston neighborhood turned into a battle of rhetoric Monday night as the university presented its preliminary proposal for a 130,000-square-foot art facility at 224 Western Ave.
At a community meeting in the St. Anthony's School auditorium, Harvard officials painted a picture of a vibrant new arts center for Barry's Corner -- the intersection of North Harvard Street and Western Avenue that is the heart of the North Allston neighborhood -- while neighbors questioned the university's contention that the facility would have substantial benefits for the community and contended that it was an art warehouse disguised as a museum.
In January, Harvard submitted to city officials a 50-year plan for its Allston expansion , including an amendment to its master plan to allow for new science and art centers. Harvard would like to begin construction this year.
Many of the 160 people at the meeting expressed concern over the site for the art center, saying that it flies in the face of previously defined goals for Barry's Corner .
The North Allston Strategic Framework for Planning , a document that was created through a multi-year collaboration between the community, city , and Harvard officials, called for Barry's Corner to be the home to 200,000 square feet of new, neighborhood-focused retail.
Harvard's preliminary plan calls for collections, conservation , and public space to each occupy a third of the building. The public space would include a 14,000-square-foot gallery, a cafe, a bookstore , and a multi-purpose room, as well as classrooms and staff dedicated to a public education program for the North Allston community.
The chief purpose of the facility, according to a presentation by Thomas Lentz, director of the Harvard art museums, is to bring together the university's vast art collection and allow for "close, intimate encounters" with the works.
The Harvard Allston Task Force, a community group that was formed to monitor the Harvard expansion, circulated a document at the meeting stating that while it supports the idea of Harvard museums and cultural facilities coming to Allston, the proposed arts facility was the wrong choice for Barry's Corner.
"This is not how you design a great city," said Harry Mattison , a task force member. "Harvard owns plenty of land , and there are better places for this building. Barry's Corner is supposed to be a retail hub for the neighborhood. We're not going to get that with a gift shop and 20-by- 30 cafe."
Kevin Daly of Daly, Genik Architects , the firm that is handling the project, said the arts center was designed to be a landmark and destination for the community and university.
"The fact that it's on the periphery of the neighborhood gives a catalytic power to the whole development," he said.
The preliminary design calls for a tiered structure, ranging from a height of 60 feet , where it would abut Harvard Business School's Teele Hall, to 35 feet , where it would abut a string of houses on Franklin Street . Daly said the rectangular building was designed to reduce shadows on the neighborhood while allowing for a grand entranceway with minimal frontage on Barry's Corner.
Comments and questions about the outline for the art center proposal must be submitted by March 2 to Gerald Autler of the Boston Redevelopment Authority, at
Gerald.Autler.bra@cityofboston.gov.
This is a preliminary step in the city approval process. Harvard will then be required to submit a more detailed proposal to the BRA before the project can proceed. Details of the Harvard plan are available at allston.harvard.edu.
Billy Baker can be reached at
ciweek@globe.com
? Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.[/b]
