Boston PIC Approves Harvard Allston Campus Streets, Clears Six Separate Petitions

BOSTON — November 7, 2024 — Boston's Public Improvement Commission unanimously approved six Harvard University petitions Thursday to establish two new public streets and associated easements for the university's Allston Enterprise Research Campus. Chair Yasher Franklin-Hodge and commissioners approved line and grade plans, highway easements, a private way, a pedestrian easement, and vertical discontinuances beneath Trotting Avenue and Milestone Street — the latter allowing Harvard to protect an extensive underground utility network serving its district energy facility and broader Allston campus. Franklin-Hodge stated plainly that the vertical discontinuances, which cede underground rights in newly created public ways, "is not a precedent for future projects." The Water and Sewer Commission's representative, Denise Devlin, twice noted on the record that the discontinuances should not be recorded until Harvard finalizes a utility easement with BWSC for overlapping pipe infrastructure. The commission also approved specific-repairs petitions for Boston University's Warren Towers at 700 Commonwealth Avenue and a 41-unit affordable housing project at 1471 Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan, and set a November 21 public hearing for the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District's proposal to install 12 illuminated 16-foot holiday statues in Downtown Crossing.