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Recipients of Harvard-Allston Public Realm Flexible Fund announced

Jul 21, 2017

In March 2016, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) announced a grant opportunity for public realm projects in Allston-Brighton. This opportunity came to fruition with the help of Harvard University as part of a package of public benefits created in 2013 to support the community of Allston.

Harvard, in collaboration with the BPDA and the City of Boston, is awarding grants from a $5.35 million pool of funding to projects that create vibrant public spaces and encourage civic and cultural activity in the neighborhood. The fund, known as the Harvard-Allston Public Realm Flexible Fund, is intended to support projects for which public sources of financing may be unavailable or inadequate. The funding is to be disbursed in full over the term of Harvard University’s Institutional Master Plan, ending November 21, 2023.

On July 14, 2016, the BPDA Board voted to approve $406,173 in funding for seven Harvard-Allston Public Realm Flexible Fund projects. More information on those projects can be viewed here.

In April 2017, an application and guidelines for a new round of funding was made available. At the July 2017 BPDA Board meeting, the following applications were voted to receive a total of up to $317,618 in funding:

  • Allston Village Main Streets will receive $26,425 for permanent lighting installations in and around Allston Village.
  • Artists for Humanity will receive $37,623 for the design, fabrication, and installation of 8-10 artistic bike racks along key bicycle routes between Allston Village and Barry’s Corner.
  • Brain Arts Organization will receive up to $3,400 to produce two concerts at the Herter Park Publick Theater in September.
  • Charles River Watershed Association will receive $80,000 as a match for the implementation of green infrastructure on Coolidge Road.
  • Gardner Pilot Academy will receive up to $66,660 for the renovation and expansion of the school garden.
  • Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture will receive $3,510 for the installation of Matthew Hoffman’s temporary artwork, “May This Never End” on the chain link fence on the south side of Lincoln Street for three years.
  • Ringer Park Crime Watch will receive $100,000 for the installation of lighting and entrance markers at Ringer Park.
In order to be considered, projects had to be located in the Allston-Brighton neighborhood with particular emphasis on the North Allston/North Brighton area. In addition, they had to be on public property or on property with public access. 

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