OLD COMPLAINTS

Though Harvard has made some tangible progress in Allston since halting construction in 2009, the University’s ambiguous plans and time frame have been of major concern to residents in the past several months.

According to Casey, Harvard has recruited 19 new businesses to its space in Allston that have generated more than 380 new jobs. In addition, he pointed to the Education Portal and Innovation Lab as examples of new facilities that are mutually beneficial to Harvard and the Allston community.

Despite these indicators of progress, many Allston residents are not satisfied with the pace of development.

Whelan acknowledged the spate of new businesses Harvard has recruited to occupy its Allston holdings but said that those efforts have done little to help bring about Harvard’s grander vision.

“The businesses Harvard has brought have been relatively inconsequential,” Whelan said. “I would not say Western Ave. has become a lively hub.”

Some have raised questions about the site on which the Charlesview Apartment Complex currently sits. The University acquired the land in 2007 in exchange for a slightly larger plot nearby, but Harvard has not outlined distinct plans for the site further than designating it as land for “institutional use.”

“Regardless of what the use, the site will be part of a mix that will serve to enliven the area,” Casey said, reiterating a sentiment he has expressed at Task Force meetings many times in the past few months.

Nevertheless, Allston residents are uncomfortable with the ambiguity of the University’s designs.

“I think there’s a lot of disappointment in Allston that so little progress has been made, especially regarding Barry’s Corner and planning for the Charlesview site,” said Task Force member Harry E. Mattison.

Mattison and other residents pointed to the paused Science Complex—which has remained an exposed concrete foundation for more than two years—as an example of Harvard’s lack of significant progress.

“I think there have been a lot of nice, small steps in the right direction which are good, but at the same time are overshadowed by the uncertainty that surrounds the major developments,” Mattison added.

Administrators do not deny that progress is slow.

“We’re taking some strong steps forward, but much of the tangible manifestations in actual physical development is yet to occur,” Casey said. “Selection of the real estate partner on Barry’s Corner will be an important first step.”

In addition to selecting a developer in June, the University is expected to submit a draft of a new Institutional Master Plan to the Boston Redevelopment Authority by October.