HARVARD SQUARE IS BEING RE-DESIGNED

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How to Integrate “Unique Local Business” Into Harvard Square Plaza

By Joe Tyburczy

Harvard Square has a long history of hosting unique local businesses that give it its distinctive character and individuality. Of these, only a few, like Oona’s used clothing and the Million Year Picnic bookstore, are left. High leasing costs for retail space means increasingly more chain stores, more banks and phone stores – and fewer bookstores, no local music stores, and fewer local residents using the Square for commercial needs.

Challenge

How can the design of Harvard Square Plaza not merely “remember” the influence these unique local businesses have always had on the Square’s personality – but actually keep this experience alive for future generations?

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[ourharvardsquare]

Thanks Joe Tyburczy! 

[ourharvardsquare]

Come out to IDEAS INCUBATOR, this Saturday Oct 21, 1-4 pm at INVIVIA, 1684 Massachusetts Ave. 

[ourharvardsquare]

#NYTimes article about the #harvardsquarekiosk is out Nov. 10. #OurHarvardSQ bought the copy in #outoftownnews of course! Published in wake of the election, it's a silver lining of citizen engagement and public participation. @paulgoldberger architecture critic sings its praises, "Is it the Parthenon or the pyramids?” he asked. “Of course not. It’s just a very, very nice thing, without which Harvard Square would be significantly diminished.” #savethekiosk @paulgoldberger @nytimes #civicengagement #lovetrumpshate (at Out of Town News)

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Get out and vote! It's already bustling with folks at Argenziano school. (at Albert F. Argenziano School At Lincoln Park)

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On Mon. night, the Council voted to support Landmarking the HSQ Kiosk; Thurs. night the Cambridge Historical Commission voted to support a study – a victory for its preservation. City is looking for members for a Working Group who will help address the kiosk’s future use. Neighbors, business owners, and citizens are among those they will hope to include. You don't need to be a Cambridge resident. Please Apply by Dec. 1! Link to PDF of Working Group Application: http://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=2719 (at Cambridge, Massachusetts)

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"And they're off! The crowds form for the massive jaywalk outside the kiosk in Harvard square in 1970." Photo by Peter Luft. #dirtyoldboston @ariseimpact @abhisheksyal #harvardsquare #harvardsquarekiosk (at Harvard Square)

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"We can't continue throwing out the old because we want to do something else. History, what went before, means something, whether that history be buildings or people or stories. Throw out the kiosk and Harvard Square, like so many other places, will become another anonymous, characterless plastic cookie-cutter replica of everywhere else. I'm not a current residence, but spent the entire 1970s in the Boston area, at Tufts and working, and now return periodically to visit family and friends.)" -Judy Barlas, Silver Spring, MD. Sign today on change.org! https://www.change.org/p/cambridge-historical-commission-support-landmark-designation-for-the-harvard-square-kiosk #saveharvardsquare #ootnkiosk #landmarkthekiosk (at Harvard Square)

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#ucberkeley campus tour. A student passerby called out to tour, "Berkeley doesn't treat people of color the same. Please come here so you can help change things!" Tour guide responsive and respectful- informed visitors how there have been lots of protests about allocation of campus space for the students of color. There's a lot of activity and dialogue on campus! It's refreshing. #freespeech #campuspolitics #inclusion #alllivesmatter (at UC Berkeley)

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Amazing #3percentmovement #katgordon bringing women to creative fields. #eqxdm3 (at San Francisco Art Institute)

[ourharvardsquare]

We are live reporting from #eqxdm3 #equityxdesign @aiasf @sfaiofficial about Equity Inclusion and Diversity in architecture. This discussion seems ever more relevant to #ourharvardsquare struggles to assert importance of inclusion in planning for Harvard Square. @cddat344 @cambridgedpw @cambma @cambridgehistorical @pps_placemaking (at San Francisco Art Institute)

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Cambridge releases RFP for programming the Harvard square Kiosk. Where is the community Task Force, please? http://ma.mypublicnotices.com/PublicNotice.asp?Page=SearchResults&Newspaper=1655. @cddat344 @cambma @finditcambridge @cambridgechron @cambridgehistorical (at Harvard Square)

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#ourharvardsq loved meeting @harvardgsd with @womenindesign and #harvardhupo about the #harvardsquarekiosk

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Harvard Square in Peril. Check out @huffingtonpost article. We stand a good chance at reclaiming this vital public space through open and transparent process. http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/12572700

[ourharvardsquare]

AmAzing Shrine to King Bhumibol of Thailand in Cambridge, right by JFK Park. This commemorates his birth in Mount Auburn Hospital.

[ourharvardsquare]

HARVARD SQ KIOSK IN PERIL: @huffingtonpost article is out! Why we must defend Harvard Square from corporate nepotism. #saveharvardsquare http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/12572700 (at Harvard Square)

[ourharvardsquare]

Ebi sushi union square Somerville is not renewing lease because developer moving in will be making into high-rise condos. (at Ebi Sushi)

[ourharvardsquare]

@cambridgechron Fantastic coverage of #kioskrisis in #harvardsquare @joannaduffy " “For several years, I have been following the Harvard Square Placemaking initiative closely, and attended an event hosted by the city. The meeting was monopolized by the Harvard Square Business Association, Harvard University, and the city representatives. Very discouraging for Plain Jane or Joe Citizen, without any of those affiliations,” Carole Perrault, Cambridge resident said. (at Harvard Square)