"There are many concerns that we simply have not been able to answer because design development has not gone behind the conceptual stage," Power says. "Issues of building height, footprint, configuration, loading issues, and the extent to which the existing open space behind Gund is preserved [will need to be solved].

"There are a number of concerns that that the community has spoken to that will require more discussion," says Power.

Nevertheless, the community has given its imprimatur for Harvard to take the next step, and indicated their appreciation for Harvard's early disclosure.

"[The Knafel Project] is the first time that Harvard has cooperated with the community," said Cambridge resident Crosby Forbes at the meeting that unveiled the alternative plans. "This is the first time they told us what they were doing from the beginning."

At this point, Harvard and in turn the community, are waiting for design specifics from the architect, Henry M. Cobb '47, and his firm Pei Cobb Freed and Associates.

Administrative Dean of FAS Nancy L. Maull emphasized that the community will not see a changed skyline any time soon. Harvard does not have a final design, has not yet done structural analyses, and has not yet gotten permission from the Cambridge Zoning Commission.

Maull said it is "very unlikely" that actual construction would begin for two to three years.

Moving Through a Fogg

Harvard's public relations gamble on Knafel has paid off, and the University is looking to duplicate its success in other real estate ventures--namely the renovations of the Fogg and the Sackler Museums and the acquisition of land in Allston.

Continuing with their promise to update the community early on in land development, Power released a letter about the museum renovations to community members at the meeting to announce the new Knafel plans (see story, page 1).

Harvard seeks to build "a better museum for art purposes and for community purposes as well," said James Cuno, Cabot director of Harvard University Art Museums.

With this move, Harvard might be heading off potential opposition. Bad blood has been shed over the Fogg and the Sackler before, as Cuno acknowledged when he referred to the University's original proposal to link the Fogg and the Sackler with a bridge over Broadway at the time the Sackler was built. Because of bitter community opposition that plan was never completed.

"That bridge is alive and well in the memories of the neighbors," Cuno said. "It's still an open wound in the community."

The proposals presented at the community meeting would connect the Fogg and the Sackler through a double tunnel underneath Broadway. The aim of the tunnel, according to the architect Renzo Piano, is many-fold: to relieve pedestrian congestion at the intersection of Broadway and Quincy, to unify visitors' experiences of the museums, and to allow the University to transport artwork more safely between the Fogg and the Sackler.

However, this project would require extensive construction under Broadway, and Harvard has not yet gotten the green light from the city. Harvard may ultimately attempt to appease residents by conducting both the Knafel and the museum renovations simultaneously.

Allston and Beyond

Another project that has the potential to sour town-gown relations is the University's Allston land purchases. Harvard ran afoul of the Allston/Brighton community and Boston City Hall on this issue; when the University disclosed in June 1997 that it had secretly purchased 52 acres in Allston between 1988 and 1994.