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Council places Harvard Square tunnel feasibility memo on file as manager continues talks with MBTA
Summary
Council placed the manager's memo on file and directed staff to continue discussions with the MBTA and the Harvard Square Business Association about an RFP and feasibility study for the long‑abandoned MBTA tunnel; council made no binding appropriation for construction.
The City Council on Sept. 29 placed on file a city manager memo outlining next steps to explore repurposing the MBTA's long‑abandoned tunnel beneath Harvard Square and to scope an RFP for a feasibility study.
Denise Jillson of the Harvard Square Business Association called the tunnel "an underused historic asset" and urged a feasibility study to assess whether the space could become a cultural or commercial anchor. City Manager briefed the council on continuing conversations with the MBTA and cautioned that the process will be complex, noting the MBTA must be an active partner and that costs for an engineering feasibility phase could range widely; staff described an initial scoping fee (approximately $72,000) to develop an RFP and said a full feasibility study could run substantially higher.
Councilors debated whether to re‑allocate previously budgeted funds for pedestrianization to support initial scoping; after discussion the council placed the manager's response on file and supported continued coordination with the MBTA and HSBA. The action recorded eight affirmative votes; the memo does not commit the council to a specific appropriation for a feasibility study or construction.
Next steps: city staff to continue talks with the MBTA and the Harvard Square Business Association and to refine scope and cost estimates for any RFP or feasibility work.
