Council Votes to Review Harvard Square Kiosk Model

In this report: Key decisions · Next dates · Full report · Sources

What happened

The council voted 8-0 to adopt an amended policy order directing a new request for proposals for the Harvard Square kiosk by summer 2027, removing current operator references. Residents opposed a $190 million MWRA sewer tank at Magazine Beach; the council voted 8-0 to accept the city manager's opposition but did not vote on the tank proposal itself, which remains under state and federal review. The council unanimously approved a disability rights policy order and appropriated $1 million for grants and $50,000 for developer commitments.

Key decisions

• ● Magazine Beach CSO tank report acceptance. Council voted 8-0 to accept City Manager Ian Wong's report opposing the use of Magazine Beach parkland for a $190 million MWRA combined sewer overflow storage tank and placed it on file. No vote was taken on the tank proposal itself, which remains under state and federal environmental review. (Vote 8-0). Read case details
• 💰 $1 million nonprofit grants appropriation. Council voted 8-0 to appropriate $1 million from the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund to a grant account for human services nonprofits. Grant recipients are expected to be notified by November 13. (Vote 8-0; Next: Nov. 13). Read case details
• 📜 Disability rights awareness and community integration. Council unanimously adopted amended policy order directing city manager to strengthen public awareness of disability rights, accommodations, and complaint processes and identify barriers to community integration. The entire council was added as co-sponsors. (Vote unanimous). Read case details
• 📝 Harvard Square kiosk operating and stewardship. Council adopted amended policy order 8-0 directing city staff to prepare new request for proposals for Harvard Square kiosk operator, removing references to current operator. RFP to be developed with community input and issued by summer 2027. Current operator's contract runs through December 2027. (Vote 8-0). Read case details
• 💰 $50,000 community benefits appropriation. Council voted 8-0 to appropriate $50,000 from free cash into the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund, fulfilling a commitment tied to developer Leggett McCall's lease agreement for parking spaces. (Vote 8-0). Read case details
• 📜 Concurrent demolition and tree-removal permitting. Councillor Cathie Zusy exercised her charter right to hold the order, preventing a vote. The order would require demolition and tree-removal permits to be reviewed and issued concurrently with building permits and will return for discussion at a future meeting. Read case details

Next dates

• Nov. 13: Nonprofit grant recipients to be announced

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