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Some Brighton residents have taken issue with Boston College's recent acquisition of the Archdiocesan property, fearing that the University will impinge upon a residential neighborhood and construct facilities in what had previously been open space. A representative of the Allston-Brighton Improvement Association also expressed disappointment that town leaders have so far been excluded from the bargaining table by the Archdiocese.
"It's not a difficult thing to understand why a University would want to expand, but what is troubling is that the town's largest remaining piece of open space has been sold to a private institution," said Arturo Vasquez, head of the Improvement Association and co-chair of the Allston-Brighton-Boston College Community Task Force.
Brighton falls within the campuses of both Boston University and Harvard University, which over time have expanded their borders into the neighborhood.
Vasquez acknowledged that BC's purchase of the Archdiocese land was expected. What came as a surprise, however, was the amount of land that had been sold.
"What was a big shock was that twice as much land was sold than we had anticipated," he said.
In order to let community members voice concerns, BC has pledged to consult neighborhood groups while drawing plans. "This is going to be a community process," said Thomas Keady, associate vice president of Governmental and Community Affairs. "That's why we have the task-force. It's a pretty in-depth process, of which the community will be a large part."
Vasquez, who is an architect, said that he would be submitting his own proposals for the land which he hopes will be incorporated into the school's future master plan. "The key is to be proactive," he said.
Many of Vasquez's concerns were echoed by Ann Mulligan, Brighton resident of 60 years and an active member of the Allston-Brighton Improvement Association. "A lot depends on what BC chooses to do with the land. If it remains the way it is, then I'll be happy," she said.
Mulligan has seen BC progress from a small commuter school in the 1960s to a major university today. "The school has continued to encroach on the neighborhood," she said.
Vasquez took issue with the perception that a competitive University makes a better neighbor than a private developer. "A developer does not necessarily mean that we won't have a voice," he said.
Unlike a private institution, BC will need to continue to grow in order to keep up with growing prestige and enrollment figures, he added.
Vasquez cited St. John's of God Hospital relationship with Brighton as an example of the kind of cooperation between a private institution and the community that BC should try to emulate. "It's important to look at the whole piece of land at once and have some visionary planning," he said.
Despite the opposition from some community groups, Keady said that the Office of Community Affairs has heard little opposition from BC's new neighbors. "If there is opposition, I certainly haven't heard it," said Keady, who emphasized that comments made at task force meetings do not always represent the views of the general community.
"I'm absolutely delighted about the sale," said Bob Vera, a Greycliff Road resident. "If BC hadn't bought it, we'd be facing wall-to-wall condominiums."
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