Harvard has tapped the current head of Cambridge’s Chamber of Commerce to be the University’s main representative to the city—a pick that has already drawn criticism from some local activists.

Thomas J. Lucey will begin his new job as director of community relations for Cambridge on July 28, University officials announced earlier this month, filling a position that has been vacant for a year and a half.

In a city known for its often-contentious town-gown battles over building projects and tax exemptions, Harvard’s pick of a new ambassador to Cambridge is already causing controversy among some residents, who say the pick could reflect a shift in Harvard’s focus away from neighborhoods and towards business.

“In my last three years of going to public hearings, Tom Lucey...always spoke out in favor of big developers, and always spoke out against neighborhood wishes,” said Cob Carlson, a Riverside activist. “His track record matches Harvard in dealing with neighborhoods. It is a predictable pick on their part but it’s a terrible pick for neighborhoods.”

But Mary H. Power, Harvard’s senior director of community relations, said that Lucey is well-equipped to deal with all aspects of Cambridge, and she says in his post at the Chamber of Commerce he actively worked with several neighborhoods.

“Tom has a full understanding of the fabric of the city of Cambridge, including resident interests and business,” Power said.

In addition to three years as president and chief executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce, Lucey has served as director of community relations at Forest City Enterprises, a real estate company that developed University Park near MIT, and worked in the state legislature.

Lucey said he has “a significant understanding of the issues of the city of Cambridge.”

“Any time you have an institution like Harvard sitting in a city with just 6.8 square miles, there are parts of the relationship that are great, and there are parts that are going to ebb and flow a little bit,” he said.

John Pitkin of the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Association said he thinks Lucey’s business-oriented resume contrasts with the more community-focused backgrounds of his predecessors in the post.

“He should strengthen Harvard’s connections to the corporate and business community,” Pitkin said. “I don’t know what he brings to the relationships with neighborhoods. It seems that they’re emphasizing the former.”

The last person to fill the position, Travis McCready, departed in November 2001 after an 18-month tenure.

McCready, a former lawyer and fifth-grade teacher who left Harvard to become the chief of staff of the charitable Boston Foundation, said he became well-acquainted with Lucey during his time at Harvard and believes he will be a good choice.

“Tom is fantastic, smart, committed and has a real good understanding of Cambridge politics, the Cambridge business community and Cambridge real estate concerns,” he said. “He has a very good reputation in Cambridge City Hall, which will serve him very well.”

Power, who oversees the University’s relations with all of its host communities including Boston and Watertown, has attended community meetings and served as the main spokesperson on Cambridge matters since McCready’s departure.