Officials of Harvard and Mission Hill Meet Over Charges of 'Land Grab'

Charles P. Whitlock, assistant to the president for Civic and Governmental Affairs, met last Friday with Rep. William A. Carey (D. Jamaica Plain) to discuss charges of a "Harvard land grab" regarding the expansion of the Massachusetts Medical Health Center.

Carey is legislative representative for the Mission Hill residents whose homes are slated to be razed for the construction. The homeowners claim that land owned by Harvard would equally suit the Center's purpose, but a "conspiracy" between Harvard and the Board of Health has led to the present choice.

According to both parties, the meeting brought no significant change in the situation. Carey said that only after a meeting between President Pusey and MUNIT (Mission United Neighborhood Improvement Team) leader Rev. Vincent Kelly would he have additional comments.

However, Whitlock considers such a meeting doubtful. "A number of people involved would have to be present," he said," before President Pusey can sit down to discuss the issue."

Whitlock stressed that "the people in Mission Hill will have to realize that Harvard is not involved in the expansion of the Medical Center." Referring to "straw buyers" who are attempting to buy land in the area, Whitlock said that "there are a lot of people in there trying to make money. But they have no connection with Harvard."

Rep. Freyda Kaplow, who leads the legislative battle in favor of the project, commented that the "area is doomed to mental health." She added that "the project is of immense importance to the Commonwealth."

Rep. Kaplow expressed her sympathy for those families who will be forced to move.