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Council presses manager for stronger response on Harvard Square tunnel feasibility study
Summary
Council members expressed disappointment with the city manager'level response on advancing an RFP to study reuse of the long-abandoned Harvard Square MBTA tunnel and urged a firmer next step; discussion ended with the mayor sending the report back to the manager for further work.
Several councilors on Sept. 15 urged the city manager to take a more active role in advancing a feasibility study to explore repurposing the long-abandoned MBTA tunnel beneath Harvard Square for commercial or cultural use.
John DiGiovanni and local business owners testified in public comment to the economic potential of repurposing the tunnel; business owners said the asset has been vacant for decades and could anchor a revived Harvard Square.
Councilors cited recent meetings between city staff, state transportation officials and MBTA representatives but said the manager'level response did not go far enough. "I must express my real disappointment," Mayor Simmons said, urging the manager to present a stronger plan and to return to the council with next steps and potential funding avenues.
City staff said the MBTA had agreed to collaborate but also flagged practical issues: draft costs for a feasibility RFP were estimated in the tens of thousands of dollars and MBTA property interests and operational constraints would need clarification before a formal RFP. Staff also noted that some stakeholders expect the city itself to be the procuring entity for a formal RFP.
Outcome: The mayor said she would send the manager's report back and asked for a more robust response; councilors requested the manager return with an implementation plan and possible funding sources.
Why it matters: The tunnel is a long-unused asset in a major commercial district. The issue pits advocates for proactive city-led redevelopment studies against caution about cost, MBTA jurisdiction and existing commitments.
