STAFF EDIT: Pursue Landing with caution

The Allston Landing, a 90-acre rail yard next to West Campus, is up for sale. Boston University and Harvard University have both expressed interest in the land, but BU must balance its needs to expand and its budget problems in pursuing the purchase.

Buying the Allston Landing would provide much-needed land for BU’s long term planning. Even though the land might not be used right away, so much of Boston’s property is already taken that the land would be a good investment to have now for the future.

Even though BU already has the Student Village project underway and is planning to construct the Computer Science and the Life Science and Engineering buildings, the Allston Landing would provide valuable land for future athletic facilities. With Nickerson Field, the Track and Tennis Center and the planned Sports and Entertainment Arena at the Student Village all nearby, acquiring the extra land would give BU the opportunity to create a whole athletic complex on its campus. This is needed, considering that the field hockey team and baseball club do not even have home fields, and would be convenient for athletes, referees and fans.

Also, BU desperately needs to find land that is both developable and that will not cause more of a backlash from surrounding neighborhoods. BU has already expanded as far south as it can, and some neighbors on Beacon St. are already unhappy with the university’s presence. Expansion further into Kenmore Square has already taken place in the form of BU’s luxury hotel, and the Charles River is somewhat of an inhibition to construction to the north. The Allston Landing could provide space for graduate housing or whatever other needs arise in the next few years.

However, Harvard has also shown interest in the site, and it definitely has more money to spend than BU. It also owns 48 acres adjacent to the Allston Landing, where it has constructed the Harvard Business School and graduate housing. Harvard’s expansion into Boston University territory is already an attack on school pride, and this purchase would put them squarely in the university’s backyard. While not as egregious as Boston College moving next door, Harvard’s presence would still undermine the cohesive Charles River campus.

However, Massachusetts Turnpike Authority documents indicate that Harvard is willing to spend $150 million for the property although the land is only worth an estimated $100 million to $125 million. BU must recognize that this could result in a dangerous price war and Harvard can probably afford a higher bid. With teachers and faculty fearing for their jobs, Boston University has more pressing concerns for its limited budget. Even though the Allston Landing will provide valuable property for future expansion when BU’s financial situation may turn around, it must keep the current budget situation in mind and set a reasonable limit for its bid on the Allston Landing.