The most frequent concern of residents lastnight related to the size of the new buildings.

"I'm no fan of the computer building, but thenew building is much, much bigger. If the needs ofthe neighborhood were really being thought aboutperhaps [there would be] a lot less massivebuildings," said one resident.

Plans for the Knafel Center, which wereannounced last year following a $15 million dollargift to the University by Sidney R. Knafel '52were slowed in April, when Cantabrigiansvehemently opposed the first publicly floatedplan. That plan would have placed a several-storybuilding in the open space behind story buildingin the open space behind Gund Hall and would havenecessitated the removal or demolition of someresidential houses.

According to Cobb the new plan would requiremoving at least one house, but he says has lessimpact on the historic residences in the area.

"We are not out of the woods, we have in acertain sense, moved the problem," Cobb said.

One problem that went largely unmentioned atlast night's meeting was that of cost.

According to Nancy L. Maull, administrativedean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the newproject with its substantial use of tunnels andunderground construction could "possibly double"the approximately $30 million cost that hadoriginally been contemplated.

Nevertheless, the positive response from thecommunity caught Harvard officials somewhat bysurprise.

"I'm pleased," said Power as Cambridgeresidents offered congratulations. "There weremore statements supporting our general directionthan I'd expected and we're delighted.