In addition to the study committee, Carlson says he will also join the still-unnamed group opposing Harvard Riverside development, a group separate from the Riverside Neighborhood Group.

"Our group will be made up of people who have already made up their minds, and think that this museum proposal is an inappropriate use of the land," Carlson says. "Harvard is encroaching too much into our neighborhood."

The group plans efforts to protest Harvard's museum plans, such as a letter-writing campaign to University President-elect Lawrence H. Summers, or possibly handing out leaflets at this year's Commencement.

Some residents, however, have become accustomed to the idea of Harvard developing the Mahoney's site and say a museum is preferable to other possible Harvard uses.

"If they were building an academic or institutional building, I would feel differently," says Mahoney's customer and Cambridge resident Holly Kreider. "But if it's a museum, I don't mind."

McReady says he hopes the renewed discussion process might bring more residents to see Kreider's point of view.

"It's my belief that museums are neighborhood-friendly and community-friendly, with low impact," McReady says.

And while the University and residents mobilize on both sides of the issue, in the meantime, Mahoney's manager James Hohmann says that the nursery will continue to perform its function in the Riverside neighborhood, serving as a quality small-scale nursery for the Cambridge and Boston area, as well as a public garden for local residents.

"I think the residents love us," Hohmann says. "A lot of people come here on bike or foot just to take walks and visit the greenhouse and look at plants."

And Hohmann hopes this will not end because of Harvard development.

"We hope Harvard extends our lease forever," Hohmann says. "We add a lot to this spot, and we don't want to leave."

--Staff Writer Imtiaz H. Delawala can be reached at delawala@fas.harvard.edu