M.I.T. Recovers Land From City

M.I.T. yesterday won a first step toward construction of a 400-car garage on land it now uses as a parking lot. The Cambridge City Council voted unanimously "for discontinuance as part of the public way" a plot of land now used for a city sidewalk.

Tech Planning Officer Malcolm D. Rivkin '53 said M.I.T. owns the property, but the City has an easement for a sidewalk in a strip along the parking lot. Rivkin explained that M.I.T. has drawn up preliminary plans for the garage, but needs part of a 37-square-foot triangle now occupied by the sidewalk to facilitate building.

By granting M.I.T.'s request, the City permits Tech to go ahead with further procedures involving building permits and the like. Rivkin said afterwards the sidewalk would not be eliminated, but moved slightly to accommodate the proposed new garage.