Kendall Square Gets OK As Urban Renewal Site

The Federal Urban Renewal Administration has allocated $11.5 million for a 42-acre project in Kendall Square after deciding that the area qualifies for renewal under federal laws. The action marks a major step in locating a $60 million National Aeronautics and Space Administration research laboratory in the Square.

With an initial grant of slightly more than $400,000 of federal money, the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority will now prepare a detailed plan for clearing the area for development. This plan must then be approved by the City Council and state and federal renewal administrations.

Cambridge Mayor Edward A. Crane '35 said last night that he hoped NASA would be able to begin its first construction "within eight months." The 42 acres will be totally cleared in phases over five years. Twenty-nine acres would go to NASA for the laboratory and the remaining 13 for an adjoining private development.

Opponents of the project--mainly businessmen now located in Kendall Square--have insisted that the area is not blighted and does not qualify for renewal funds. Despite the URA's decision, they hope to convince Congress that renewal laws are being misused and that NASA should be denied funds to build the laboratory.

The House committees--the Space and Aeronautics Committee and the Appropriations Committee--control the money for the laboratory. One subcommittee of the Space and Aeronautics Committee has already denied funds, but proponents of the laboratory are confident that the parent committee will override this action.

Both sides have appeared recently in executive session before a special appropriations subcommittee. Although the Space and Aeronautics Committee grants "authorization" for the construction unds, the Appropriations Committee must give its approval before they can actually spent. Votes in both committees are respected in the near future.

The difference between the construction funds and the $11.5 million set aside by the URA is that the URA money would be used to help purchase the land, clear, and relocate firms now located there. The 10 million of construction funds would be used for the actual building of the laboratory.

Opponents of the project have another discourse: the courts. They have already brought one action which was declared premature." Once an urban renewal plan is approved, however, a new appeal can be made. If the courts decide to issue a restraining order, construction of the NASA lab could be considerably delayed