"I think people are very happy that it is happening and that they are going to have control over their own community," said Robert Parks, RTH's executive director.

Both sides were eager to distance themselves from an article in yesterday's Globe, which played up tensions between tenants and Harvard.

"We've been working together very closely for 25 years. There was a fight in the beginning but that changed quickly to a partnership," he said.

McCluskey agreed, saying that there has not been any tension between the University and the tenants for quite a long time.

"To acnowledge the fact that there was some degree of tension in this process in the mid-70s is valid," he said. "The overwhelming focus .... should be about the cooperative relationship between Harvard and the tenants."

Ownership of the site has already been transferred, but a formal handover will take place next Tuesday at the complex, in a ceremony in which Harvard President Neil L. Rudenstine and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino will take part.

Wrinn said that Harvard's involvement in the area would continue.

"What we are disengaging from is the management of a housing project. We obviously are going to continue a committment to the area in a way that is appropriate," Wrinn said.