"They own practically all of the Charles River," said resident Marvin Gilmore. "This is the last open space in the neighborhood."
According to Cambridge resident Cob Carlson, residents' distrust of the University is also a major reason for his support of the moratorium.
"As a community, we don't trust that institution," Carlson said. "They have given us no reason to."
He cited Harvard's construction of Mather House and Peabody Terrace nearly 30 years ago as the beginning of hostilities between the Riverside neighborhood and the University, saying the large buildings crowded the small-scale neighborhood.
Only one resident at the meeting spoke out against the moratorium, saying it would create a barrier to discussions between Harvard and the community. The University last met with Riverside residents to discuss the museum proposal in late June.
"I think that Harvard is genuine in its interest to listen to neighborhood interests," the resident said. "If we put up this wall, it will stifle the communication that is going on."
Associate Vice President of Planning and Real Estate Kathy A. Spiegelman and Senior Director of Community Relations Mary H. Power took a similar position in a letter written to the council.
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