For two-term former mayor and current Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves '72, the University's resistance to enacting a living wage thus far is indicative of a larger problem.

Reeves says the University took 20 years before it finally implemented divestment in South Africa. More importantly, he says, the University and the city need to have a more "intelligent give and take."

"Harvard offers a large building and hopes to get a smaller building [approved]," Reeves says.

But regardless of the stance Harvard or the City Council takes on a living wage, Grogan says the University still faces an uphill battle in creating new developments.

In addition to the Knafel Center and the art museum, Davis says Harvard is currently working to build a dormitory in the Banks Street area near Mather House and erect a new building in the parking lot adjacent to Hammond Street north of the Science Center.

Grogan says the lengthy zoning procedures and extensive community involvement slow and often prohibit potential projects.

"It's difficult for anyone to get anything built in Cambridge," he says. "It's not affected by a living wage--it's just the reality."

Galluccio, however, says that through meetings such as the one he had with Rudenstine last week, he is trying to strengthen town-gown relations as best he can.