Bill Proposes Garage In Cambridge Common

The idea of putting a garage under the Cambridge Common apparently is back in style again.

A hill was filed this week in the Massachusetts General Court (state legislature) to create a five-man Cambridge Parking Authority which would oversee the construction of the underground garage. Under the bill, Cambridge would allow the Authority to build the garage if the Common were restored to its original condition after construction.

Boston already has a garage with a 1400-car capacity under its Common, Building a similar facility in Cambridge has long been a popular topic among City officials, and nearly two years ago the Massachusetts Parking Authority, which runs the Boston garage, considered starting construction in Cambridge.

At that time, Samuel A. Valenti, the Authority's chairman, envisioned a garage here that would hold 1000 cars and cost $5 million.

The bill establishing the Cambridge Parking Authority will probably be considered at the General Court's next session, which begins in January. Rep. Timothy W. Hickey (D. Middlesex), the bill's sponsor, said last night "I don't expect any opposition at all," The garage would be a "great boost to Harvard Square," he declared.

Two Years Away

Construction would probably not begin for at least two years after the bill is passed, Hickey predicted. He said he would like to see a garage with a capacity of 3000 cars, but added that engineers would have to work out final details.

Limited parking has long been a problem in the Square area, and a variety of different solutions have been offered. A traffic report, financed in part by the University, has recommended that Harvard build garages at a number of locations around the Square. It is known that the University Planning Office is seriously studying the recommended sites.

Kennedy Library

I. M. Pel, architect for the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, is also concerned about parking space. Pel will make recommendations to ease traffic and parking problems caused by the Library, which will be located on the Bennett St, transit yards. He will probably also include parking space on the Bennett St. site itself.

Because of the large number of people the Library will attract, some observers believe that important traffic and parking decisions may have to await Pel's own ideas for the Square.