Toward Allston

The June announcement that the University had secretly purchased 52.6 acres of land for $88 million in the Allston section of Boston over the last nine years brought controversy and outcry from Boston officials enraged by what The Boston Globe called Harvard's "stealthy land grab." Though the total secrecy-over such a long period of time-with which Harvard brokered its real estate deals reminds us disturbingly of a covert military operation, it is understandable that the University would need to hide its identity from sellers eager to cash in on the school's endowment.

"If Harvard were to go out and directly try to acquire these properties, the price would go through the roof," pointed out Kathy A. Spiegelman, associate vice president for planning and real estate. "We wanted to buy them at fair market value." And buy them Harvard did. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino showed a commendable desire to protect his city from greedy landgrubbers, but overreacted when he said that the land deals "represented the highest level of arrogance seen in our city in many years."

We have cautious confidence that Harvard will be a good landlord to the tenants of the numerous buildings purchased, especially now that the eyes of the Mayor and his city are watching. For now, Harvard is required to pay taxes since it is using the real estates for commercial purposes. We encourage Harvard to continue to compensate the city after conversion of the land to tax-free academic use, much as it now compensates the City of Cambridge. The university should make a strong effort to work with the community, address its needs and reassure residents and business owners that there are no immediate plans for the land.

In a perfect World, Harvard should have made its purchases public long ago. But the secrecy was warranted. The University seems regretful but not repentant: President Neil L. Rudenstine would not make any promises that Harvard will change the way it conducts real estate purchases in the future. Nor should he. But becoming part of a community demands responsibility and sensitivity. Harvard can and should be a good neighbor and make a positive contribution to the community of Allston.