Cambridge Sells Two City Roads For New Dorm

The City Council voted unanimously yesterday to sell land for the married students' housing project to the University at $7.50 per square foot. Located at Sterling and Elm Streets, the area for sale lies in the heart of the project site.

The final purchase price represents as compromise between University officials who originally offered $5 a square foot for the property and several councillors who asked $10.

The vote came yesterday afternoon-during a break in the Council Finance Committee's hearings on the City budget. The University had requested quick action after the Council postponed a vote at its regular Monday meeting.

On Monday, Councillor Walter J. Sullivan had insisted that the University pay $10 a square foot, the going rate for riverfront property. A negotiator hired by the City decided that the $7.50 rate is fair because Harvard intends to close off the streets and build the Married Students apartments over them.

Charles P. Whitlock, assistant to President Pusey for civic affairs, told the councillors yesterday that Harvard is considering ways to help the City refurbish and maintain the Corporal Burns playground, located next to Dunster House.

The University expects that children of married students will use the play-ground facilities.