Proposed Bill May Curb Harvard Renovation Plans

The University has reacted unfavorably to proposed legislation which might decrease its control of alterations to certain buildings by granting greater authority to local historical commissions.

If passed by state lawmakers, the amendments would give local commissions, including the Cambridge Historical Commission, the power to review modifications to the interiors of buildings considered historic landmarks and open to public access.

The law currently allows the board to regulate proposed renovations to the outsides of buildings.

Harvard Director of Planning Robert A. Silverman called the legislation "a troubling extension of authority."

"We are not insensitive to the issue of preservation, but we are afraid that over-regulation or abuse of process may have a severe affect on the University," added Jacqueline O'Neill, associate vice president for state and community relations.

O'Neill and Silverman said that, while the University was concerned with preserving historical landmarks such as Memorial, University and Massachusetts Halls, quibbling over irrelevent internal modifications could delay construction projects and increase Harvard's expenditures.

"It could pose problems," agreed Christine B Pratt, director of external financing. "The trend sometimes is to place unrealistic requirements on construction," she said.

Even as things are, Pratt said, disputes with the Cambridge commission have proven troublesome. "I've seen the kind of arguments they have, like one over whether shutters should be painted black or off-black," she said.

Question of Jurisdiction

But whether or not the Historical Commission will have jurisdiction over the interiors of Harvard buildings--most of which are open to the public--remains an open question.

Charles Sullivan, the Cambridge commission's executive director, said Harvard's historical landmarks are private and therefore exempted from public review of planned alterations.

Silverman said, however, that while he is happy to hear [Sullivan] doesn't think" the change will affect Harvard, the buildings are readily accessible to the public.

Solly Zimmerman, director of the state preservation planning office--the bill's sponsor--said yesterday she will meet with a Harvard representative next week to discuss the University's concerns.

Silverman cited a recent study undertaken by Harvard and the state and city historical commissions to evaluate the historical significance of many buildings on and near campus as an example of cooperation among the three bodies.

That report found a Harvard-owned building at 10 Mt Auburn St. to be "without historical significance," according to O'Neill, but since that time, Sullivan has indicated he will recommend the Cambridge commission seek to prevent the University from razing the building