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.