Harvard University contractors began work at the Harvard-owned building at 175 North Harvard Street in July 2023 in preparation for the demolition of the building to make way for future construction on this site. Harvard University has proposed a new home for the American Repertory Theater (ART) and a new Harvard University Affiliate Housing building for Harvard graduate students and affiliates at the 175 North Harvard Street location. For more information on this proposal, please visit: https://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/175-north-harvard-street.
Schedule Information:
- Project work hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Some Saturday work may be necessary as permitted by the City of Boston also from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Community Impacts:
- In addition to the presence of work crews on site, neighbors can anticipate that the work between 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. will generate some perceptible noise.
- The secure, six-foot fence with scrim and jersey barriers will remain around the perimeter of the property to include the parking lane in front of the building on North Harvard Street.
- A walkway has been created with jersey barriers along the front of 175 North Harvard Street to maintain safe pedestrian access.
- The Blue Bikes and MBTA stations have been relocated down the street to the Harvard track side of South Campus Drive.
- Sidewalks and walkways adjacent to the work site are well marked with signage to protect pedestrians and ensure their safety.
- Utility work along a section of South Campus drive will require a temporary diversion road which will modify vehicular traffic routes and pedestrian crossings. This diversion road will be present from October through December.
- Pedestrian and vehicle access will continue to be available around the site on Ivy Lane and South Campus Drive throughout the project. Pedestrian and vehicular travel routes may be modified during the course of the work and will be indicated with site signage.
Mitigation Efforts
- Dust, noise, and vibration monitors are positioned around the work site and are continually checked by third-party engineers to ensure construction activities remain within safe and acceptable levels.
- A pest control treatment program has been implemented on the job site and the site is regularly monitored by a professional pest control company.
- The contractor will continue to employ dust mitigation efforts, including wheel wash stations, use of wetting agents, and trucks removing debris from the site are required to be covered.
- A significant effort is being made to minimize the noise impact of the project’s construction activities, including, where feasible, choosing construction techniques that produce less noise.
- Contractors and trades are parking in a designated area to ensure that they do not park in the neighborhoods.
- Approved truck routes are being enforced to keep trucks and deliveries out of residential areas.
- Police details are requested to assist with general worksite logistics.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this project.
