Open Space and the Charles River

Many residents of Cambridge feel that the Library complex is another obstruction between the Cambridge community and the Charles River. Although the revised design with the walk-through Commonwealth Plaza placated some fears, many still feel that traffic and people which would accompany the Library would discourage residents from using the riverbanks.

Lower income persons in Riverside/Cambridgeport see the Library as part of a development trend along the river which would eventually cut off their communities entirely from the river.

The concern has also been expressed that Cambridge is sorely lacking in open space recreational uses and that every effort should be made to expand it, including using the MBTA site.

Municipal Services

There seems to be a general communitywide feeling that the City would have to provide services directly to the Library as well as services or facilities needed because of extra burden imposed on the community as a result of the Library (e.g., road widening, traffic signals).

Since the facility would be tax-exempt and there are no plans for tax generating uses on the KLC owned land, it is feared that taxes will increase for other Cambridge residents to pay the costs of these services.

Alternate Uses

Although individual preferences have run the full gamut of uses for the land, the alternative which seems to be most agreeable to most groups is the locating of the Library and Archives on the MBTA site and the Museum outside of Cambridge.

A group of Library proponents have indicated that they feel the Library/Museum complex would be the most feasible use for the site.

Cultural Advantage/Image

Some of the community groups feel that the cultural nature of the Library and Museum will be a benefit to Cambridge and will improve the image of Harvard Square. At least one group feels that the real issue is whether their children will have the Museum to visit.

Summary/Quality of Life

The impacts upon the quality of life in Harvard Square resulting from the construction and operation of the John F. Kennedy Library have been the subject of considerable speculation and debate. If one describes the quality of life in Harvard Square as an experience, an image, built up of a body of various experience and images significant and meaningful to the people who regularly visit the Square some conclusions can be drawn as to the impacts resulting from the construction of the Library. Subjective analysis of the empirical data presented throughout this statement reveals that the circulation, use characteristics and physical amenities of Harvard Square will not be significantly altered. The Library's design and program fit into the surroundings better than any of the other reasonable alternative uses of the site except for use by Harvard for University expansion. The incremental increase (except on Sundays) to pedestrian and vehicle circulation volumes will be so small that it is improbable that they will impact upon the quality of life in Harvard Square. Rather than threatening the present quality of life in Harvard Square the Library's low intensity of development of the site (81,000 square feet vs. a presently permitted 1.97 million square feet) and creation of a five acre park will enhance the setting and architectural theme of the area between the Charles and the Common.

Transportation