Harvard Square Historic District Proposal Before Cambridge City CouncilBackground. In 1997, Historic Massachusetts, a statewide preservation organization, declared Harvard Square (established in 1631) one of the 10 most endangered resources in the state, based on concerns with overdevelopment. Facing upscale homogenization of this unique place, different constituent groups are coming together for the first time out of a common interest in preserving and restoring the Square. These generally independent groups -- religious, academic, nonprofit, business, and residential -- are fighting not to lose their international and local identities.The Harvard Square Historic District Study Committee, after a thorough three-year study process, published its proposal for a Harvard Square Historic District and related zoning amendments in a Preliminary Study Report in August 1999. At a public hearing on October 7, 1999, the Cambridge Historical Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council enact the proposed ordinance for a Harvard Square Historic District and the related zoning amendments. The City Council discussed the proposal at its December 20, 1999 meeting, but tabled a vote, due to lack of support. The matter awaits action by the new City Council.Historic District Proposal. The proposal calls for an historic district established under Chapter 40C of the Massachusetts General Laws and administered by the existing Cambridge Historical Commission, in conjunction with zoning amendments that would maintain current FAR provisions in Harvard Square. Under the current proposal, the Historical Commission would have binding review over demolition, new construction, and publicly-visible exterior alterations to existing buildings, and could, in appropriate cases, impose dimensional and set-back requirements in addition to those required by zoning.The regulations are broad enough to respond to the many types of architecture found in the Square. The language of the ordinance clearly acknowledges the intent of the commission to encourage creative design solutions that also preserve the integrity of the Square's buildings.A summary of the Final Study Report is available online at http://www.ci.cambridge.ma.us/~Historic/ or a full-length copy of the report can be obtained by calling the Historical Commission at 617/349-4683.Opposing Arguments. The historic district proposal has been presented at a series of public meetings and was reviewed by state and local agencies, local property and business owners, and grass-roots preservation organizations. While opponents have brought up concerns about added costs, excessive regulation, and the potential of additional litigation, the Cambridge Planning Board, Harvard Square Business Association, Harvard Square Defense Fund, Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Historical Commission have all communicated their support for the proposal.Several city councilors have been convinced that historic districting is bad for business and for the property owners in the Square. Below is a list of the arguments that have been offered against the historic district proposal.The Friends of Harvard Square are requesting anyone who can answer these contentions to contact the Cambridge City Councilors by e-mail. People are encouraged to write of their success stories in commercial and mixed-use districts. One of the most important issues here is that Harvard Square is economically properous, with rents skyrocketing. The great concern is that the area is losing its appeal and will implode (cf. Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of American Cities).
Names and e-mail addresses of Cambridge city councilors and
mayor:
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last revised APril 7 2000
by
David Goldfarb