University Will Build New Housing Development at Botanical Gardens

Construction will begin in two weeks on a modern housing development on the site of the Harvard Botanical Gardens, Edward J. Reynolds, administrative vice-president, announced last night.

The development, which will provide new housing for 125 families, is scheduled for completion by the late spring of 1950. Financed by University endowment funds as an investment enterprise, the development comes after three years of pressure by the City of Cambridge asking the University to utilize the barren Botanical Garden grounds.

Aid to Faculty and Veterans

Reynolds stated last night that the new buildings are especially designed to aid veteran and faculty families at the University. He said that residence would not, however, be limited to any group. No applications will be accepted for rentals until several pilot units have been set up for investigation. Reynolds added that no prices will be determined until construction work nears completion.

The development will consist of a series of two and three-story apartment structures grouped around landscaped courtyards. In addition, there will be five single houses and six semi-detached houses in the area adjoining Gray Gardens East. The entire plan will add a large amount of assessable property to Cambridge tax rolls.

Follows City Pressure

Last spring, the Cambridge City Council threatened to seize the Botanical Garden site by right of eminent domain unless the University built a housing development as the city had suggested several years before. At that time, University officials first announced definitely that plans would be drawn up in the near future for such a development.

Work will start with the removal of trees and shrubs in the present gardens. Temporary construction of roads and equipment buildings should be under way within a month.