Metro
Enterprise Research Campus Developer Ups Affordable Housing, Pledges Diversity, Sustainability in Recent Filing
Tishman Speyer, the firm leading Harvard’s efforts to develop an Enterprise Research Campus in Allston, filed a 900-page report with the Boston Planning and Development Agency Wednesday with updated plans for the project’s affordability, diversity, sustainability, and open space.
Award-Winning Ramen Chain Menya Jiro Expands into Harvard Square
Award-winning Japanese ramen brand Menya Jiro celebrated the grand opening of its first Boston location in Harvard Square on July 14.
Cambridge Police Commissioner Bard to Leave Department for Johns Hopkins University
Cambridge Police Commissioner Branville G. Bard, Jr. is leaving the department for Johns Hopkins University, where he will lead the school’s security department as its new vice president for public safety.
Planning for an ‘Uncertain’ Future, Cambridge Unveils Climate Resilience Plan
The City of Cambridge released a report on the effects of climate change on the city and long-term recommendations for climate resilience.
Specialty Card Store Lovepop Pops Up In Harvard Square
Specialty card retailer Lovepop opened its largest brick-and-mortar store yet in Harvard Square last Tuesday.
Boston Exhibition ‘Some Assembly Required’ Spotlights Local Queer Artists
The Boston LGBTQIA+ Artist Alliance, a volunteer artist-run organization, is displaying works by local queer artists at the Distillery Gallery in South Boston until late July.
City Council Votes to Terminate Contracts With Companies Allegedly Violating Human Rights, Drawing Criticism from Harvard Jewish Leaders
The Cambridge City Council voted to end its contract with companies that “perpetuate violations of International Human Rights Laws” during a Tuesday meeting that followed more than seven hours of public comment the previous day.
As Massachusetts Reopens, Harvard Square Businesses Regain Lost Momentum
After a year of uncertainty, Harvard Square business owners are looking forward to welcoming more tourists and students to the Square in the next few months, now that Covid-19 vaccines are readily available in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
As Massachusetts High Schoolers Return to In-Person Instruction, HGSE Experts See Challenges Ahead
Massachusetts students in lower grades returned to school buildings in early April, and middle school students followed suit a few weeks later. With the return of high school students on May 17, The Crimson interviewed multiple HGSE professors to understand the difficulties posed by the transition.
Cambridge Councilor’s Police Demilitarization Proposal Sparks Debate Among Politicians, Activists
The Cambridge City Council earlier this month rejected a policy order on police demilitarization proposed by Councilor Quinton Y. Zondervan that sparked bitter debate among both activists and politicians in Cambridge.
Michelle Wu ’07 Touts Youth Organizers, ‘Foundational’ Harvard Law Experience at Press Conference
Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu ’07, a leading candidate in this fall’s Boston mayoral election, discussed her campaign platform and Harvard influences in a virtual press conference held Monday evening.
Mass. Bill Spurred By Harvard Alum Would Mandate Fire Safety Training at All Schools, Universities
A bill in the Massachusetts State Legislature spearheaded by a Harvard alum would require all students enrolled in the state’s schools and colleges — including Harvard — to complete fire safety training.
Construction Mitigation, Beautification Top of Mind at Barry’s Corner Development Meeting
In their fourth virtual meeting with the Harvard-Allston Task Force Tuesday, the developers of 180 Western Ave. shared updated plans for mitigating construction and fostering public spaces. Some task force members and locals, however, remain worried about the impact that construction at Barry’s Corner might have.
New Report Details Severe Income Gap Amid Economic Growth in Cambridge
As Cambridge’s innovation sector experiences rapid growth, a stark income gap has deepened for the city’s most vulnerable residents, according to a new report released earlier this month by the Cambridge Community Foundation.
PILOT Payments
Local activists and elected officials are attempting to reform the state's Payment in Lieu of Taxes programs.
A ‘Financial Vaccine’: Cambridge Launches Guaranteed Income Pilot Program
Cambridge will pilot a guaranteed income program, doling out $500 no-strings-attached monthly payments to 120 eligible, low-income families for 18 months starting in August.
Proposed Mass. Bill Would Make PILOT Payments Mandatory for Harvard, Other Institutions
The Massachusetts House is considering a bill that would make the previously optional payments which supplanted city property taxes for nonprofits such as Harvard mandatory.
Harvard-Funded North Allston Drainpipe Expansion Confronts Political Challenge
As the Boston Water and Sewer Commission and Harvard proceed with the North Allston Storm Drain Extension Project — an estimated $50 million endeavor that the University has pledged to fully fund — local politicians, residents, and environmental groups have called for further investigation into its potential environmental impacts.
With Cambridge’s Vaccine Supply Still Severely Limited, Mayor Acknowledges ‘Frustrations’ With Shortage
In an interview with The Crimson Friday, Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui acknowledged residents’ and city leaders’ “frustration” over the limited supply of Covid-19 vaccines, which has hampered city distribution efforts.
Sustainability, Public Space of Barry’s Corner Development Steer Discussion at Harvard-Allston Task Force Meeting
The Harvard-Allston Task Force and the developers of the Harvard-owned land at 180 Western Ave. mulled the project’s public spaces and sustainability at a virtual meeting Tuesday.
Despite Statewide Move to Phase 4, Cambridge Will Remain in Current Reopening Phase
Cambridge will remain in Phase Three of its reopening plan despite the state’s decision to move forward to Phase Four on March 22, Cambridge Chief Public Health Officer Claude Jacob announced Monday.
Following Local Successes, Cambridge State Rep. Puts Forward Bills on Controlled Substance Reform
Massachusetts State Rep. Michael L. Connolly, a Democrat who represents parts of Cambridge and Somerville, submitted two bills in the Massachusetts House last month aimed at reforming controlled substance laws.
City Council Votes to Ban Tear Gas, Order Reinstating Indoor Dining Restrictions Fails
Tear gas has not been deployed in Cambridge since the 1970s, and while the Cambridge Police Department currently does not possess tear gas or authorize the use of it, the department does not explicitly ban it either.
Here’s How the Allston Expansion Plan Got the City’s Approval
Harvard envisions big plans for its Allston property. Here is a brief synopsis of steps the University and the developers had to take to get these projects approved with the city of Boston.
Two High-Ranking Officers Depart Cambridge Police Department Following Social Media Controversies
Two high-ranking officers have left the Cambridge Police Department in recent months after they were involved in controversial social media incidents in 2020.