Enterprise Research Campus Phase A
Development work has begun at the parcel of the future Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) in Allston across from Harvard Business School (HBS) bordered by the Mass Pike, Western Avenue, Hague Street, and the National Resilience Inc. facility at 500 Soldiers Field Road. Phase A will consist of two lab buildings designed for research and development; an apartment building with roughly 345 units, including approximately 86 affordable units (25%) available to households with incomes ranging from 30-100% of the Area Median Income (AMI); a hotel; and a conference center operated by Harvard University. The Greenway will be central to the site and become an active public space with programming and events.
Residential/Hotel
Fencing extends out beyond the Western Avenue sidewalk with a barriered walkway and bike path installed in coordination with current National Grid Western Avenue activity. Preparation is underway for the building’s foundation system with sheet pile installation continuing. Excavation will begin early this month. Also this month double and triple-wide field office trailers will be set up on site between Hague Street and Trotting Avenue. This will necessitate drop offs in early hours with set up at 7AM.
Laboratory and Office Buildings
The installation of sheet piles and an underground retaining wall made up of secant piles continues. The sheet piles are being vibrated in place underground. The wall piles will be drilled in the southwest corner of the site. Excavation will begin later this month, followed by bracing.
Greenway
This section of the site is currently being used for laydown space until crews mobilize later this summer.
Treehouse Conference Center
This section of the site is currently being used for laydown space until crews mobilize later this summer.
- As the project progresses, there will be an uptick in truck traffic on Western Ave during project work hours, typically 7AM to 3PM Monday through Friday. Some truck lining activities may begin at 6:40AM.
- Saturday work is targeted to take place this month with a 9AM start.
- Occasional off-hour equipment drop offs/pick ups may be necessary with no unloading until 7AM. Also, wide load equipment may be delivered early in the morning.
- Contractors and subcontractors are directed to have all trucks follow approved truck routes to/from the jobsite to ensure they are not traveling on neighborhood streets. A laborer has been monitoring at Cambridge and Windom streets.
- Construction noise will continue during work hours.
- Minor vibrations may be generated.
- Some organic odor may be detected with deeper excavation later this month.
- Dust control measures are in place.
- All are working in coordination with National Resilience.
Harvard’s District Energy Facility (DEF)
The 12 Western Avenue driveway to Harvard’s District Energy Facility (DEF) has shifted back to Milestone Street from Trotting Avenue.
- A water valve replacement with exterior testing is scheduled at the end of August.
North Allston Storm Drain Extension Project (NASDEP)
The NASDEP is a project for the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) that is designed in collaboration with Harvard University to alleviate the inundated existing storm water systems in the North Allston neighborhood. The proposed modifications to the BWSC stormwater management system will significantly improve its performance by providing much needed additional conveyance capacity. The enabling work for the project began in 2021 and once permitted will continue through 2024. The increased capacity systems are designed to extend from the area south of the new Science and Engineering Complex (SEC), connecting to an existing stormwater drain system in Rena Park, routing through the ERC and following behind the National Resilience Inc. (formerly Sanofi/Genzyme) facility before crossing Soldiers Field Road to an outfall in the Charles River.
Concrete drainage pipes (84-inch and 48-inch diameter) have been placed between manhole structures behind the DEF and off Trotting Avenue. Sheet piles and other piles have been installed near National Resilience to support other underground structures in advance of a National Grid gas relocation at 500 Soldiers Field Road.
- The area adjacent to the southern side of the DEF is finishing restoration.
- Crews are placing stone and backfilling above the infiltration modules at an underground stormwater storage area. Related nearby drainage structures are being installed.
- A water system is being installed along Rotterdam Street for relocation of a water shed to supply the site and water truck.
- Activity on-site is ongoing and in accordance with access and monitoring protocols.
- Truck traffic to and from the site continues using the designated route from Hague Street.
- Noise will continue to be intermittent.
- Dust control measures are in place.
Railyard Improvements
Construction and temporary use of two rail sidings at the former Beacon Park Yards facility has been approved by MBTA, CSX and Keolis. Its use will support ERC construction and help limit future trucking activity on nearby roadways.
- Rehabilitation of existing yard tracks and construction of new tracks is underway and will continue through the next two months. The site is accessed through an existing haul road under Cambridge Street.
National Grid – Western Avenue
National Grid continues to work on Western Avenue between Trotting Avenue and Kresge Way on the ERC side of the road excavating and installing piping for an upsized gas service. At the beginning of the month they will be at Trotting Avenue and then will be at and closer to Milestone Street. The work is expected to be completed this month.
Western Avenue Utility Crossing
A utility crossing at Western Avenue is nearly complete. Paving will take place later this month and is being closely coordinated with National Grid work above. It will allow for improvements to Harvard’s Allston energy infrastructure.
Kresge Way Gas Line Relocation Phase 2 and Extension of Thermal Pipes/Electrical Duct Bank
As part of Harvard’s infrastructure improvements in Allston, the University has relocated utilities across Western Avenue, over to and on Kresge Way, the main driveway into the Harvard Business School (HBS) campus. A temporary drive to Kresge Way remains open to the west of the existing drive. Traffic continues to be relocated to this interim drive on Western Avenue. A gas line has been relocated in preparation for extending the thermal piping and electrical duct bank this summer and fall from the DEF under Kresge Way from Western Avenue and turning left at Klarman Hall.
- Coordinating with National Grid, crews are pre-clearing to installing thermal piping and a duct bank.
- On occasion a vacuum truck will be operational generating noise.
- A road shift and temporary parking attendents booth are in place.
- Construction will be phased in smaller segments to minimize impacts to visitors, pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles.
- This work is being coordinated to minimize impact on traffic.
- Appropriate signage and police details will be in place.
- During project hours 7AM to 3PM (at times may extend to 6PM), the work will generate intermittent noise due to the presence of work crews and the use of construction equipment including a vacuum truck and drill rig needed to perform this work.
92 Seattle Street
Renovation is underway for reuse of this Harvard building.
- Removal of regulated materials continues.
- Interior drilling of mini piles will continue this month.
- Sewer tie-in work to 38 Travis Street and the 92 Seattle new entrance will take place this month.
- The work will generate intermittent noise due to the presence of work crews and the use of construction equipment including but not limited to jackhammers.
- Work hours will be Monday through Friday, 7AM to 3PM with possible intermittent coordinated Saturday work.
175 North Harvard Street
Preparation is underway for demolition of the building later this summer/fall.
- Three trailer field offices remain occupied in the 201 Western Avenue lot.
- The Blue Bike station has been relocated to the McCurdy track side of South Campus Drive.
- The MBTA bus stop in front of the building on North Harvard Street will also be relocated nearer to South Campus Drive.
- Excavators are moving soil to prepare the site for future construction activities.
- Interior abatement of the building continues.
- Some concrete hardscape demolition will take place.
- The site perimeter had been fenced.
- Plans are underway to relocate the MBTA bus stop to a nearby location.
- Project work hours will be Monday through Friday from 7AM to 6PM. Some Saturday work may be necessary as permitted by the City of Boston also from 7AM to 6PM.
210 North Harvard Street
Improvements for this Harvard-owned building include removal and replacement of windows, doors, stairs, landings, and sidewalks. Roof work, excavation of the side parking lot for installation of upgraded, underground utilities and connecting to existing utilities will also take place.
- Utility work, ramp/stair install and other upgrades continue, requiring the sidewalk to be closed during work hours and when concrete is curing in front of the building. Pedestrians are being directed at crosswalks to the opposite sidewalk on North Harvard Street. Work will also take place on the sidewalk at Bertram Street.
- Construction noise can be expected during standard work hours Monday through Friday, 7AM to 3PM. Excavators and trucking equipment will be used to perform this work.