In the coming weeks and months, Harvard University will begin two modernization projects at 58 and 60 Oxford Street. Contractors will be renovating these buildings beginning with 60 Oxford in March followed by 58 Oxford Street in April.
At 60 Oxford, the two-year project scope includes the renovation of the building’s interior including mechanical systems. In March, neighbors will see fencing installed and tree protections put in place around the building as the contractor prepares the site for construction, which will slowly ramp up in the spring. Fencing is scheduled to go up around the perimeter of the building on Monday, April 4.
At 58 Oxford, work will include an eight-month infrastructure renewal project starting the second week of April that includes a building-wide upgrade of the electrical and HVAC systems to address interruptions in service and replace aging equipment that has impacted research operations.
Schedules and Impacts – What Neighbors Can Expect:
- Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some Saturday work between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and overtime work may be necessary for select activities that can’t be performed during regular business hours.
- At 60 Oxford, the major construction activities will take place inside the main building, with the exception of roof work. The two-story office pavilion on the Hammond Street side of the building will remain office space with only light alterations.
- 58 Oxford will remain occupied during construction. Most work will take place inside the building with the exception of roof work and improved modifications to the building’s ramp entries.
- Vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian access on Oxford, Hammond, and Everett Streets will be maintained during the projects.
- The walkway between the 60 Oxford pavilion and Palfrey House will be closed throughout the project. Pedestrians will be redirected to the Hammond Street/Oxford Street sidewalks.
- Some limited vehicle lane closures in front of both 58 and 60 Oxford will be necessary for rooftop equipment removal and installation using a crane. The majority of the projects’ crane activities will occur behind the buildings in the loading dock area.
- Any activities in the public way will be closely coordinated with the City of Cambridge and neighbors will be notified in advance.
- Arrangements will be made for contractor parking to ensure workers park in Harvard garages and are not parking on neighborhood streets.
- Approved truck routes will be enforced so construction vehicles do not exit the work sites to drive north on Oxford Street.
- In April, three resident parking spaces directly in front of the 60 Oxford Street entrance will be designated to the project to accommodate loading and deliveries for approximately one year.
- The majority of materials will be delivered off of Oxford Street via the buildings’ existing loading docks. Deliveries will be pre-scheduled to ensure there are no conflicts with 58 Oxford’s regular deliveries or truck backups on neighborhood streets.
- Work on these projects will generate some noise due to the presence of construction crews, equipment, and the use of power tools.
- Crews will eat lunch and take breaks within the site fences to minimize their presence in the neighborhood.
Harvard Construction Mitigation will be working with the contractors and project teams throughout construction to coordinate logistics and pre-empt or minimize inconveniences to the neighborhood.