Neighbors, In case any of you want to attend, or submit a letter. Lesley plans to move the church at Mass Ave and Roseland to the other side of the lot, and RESTORE it to its original size (the back portion was added much later) and height (the pedestal, raising it way off the ground, to make a floor space underneath, was added years ago and had the effect of making the entrance less inviting). They are treating the landmark church with great respect, and it will become an art library, open to the public. The Art Institute of Boston will be a well designed building, suited to the site, no higher than the current church, in keeping with the Porter Square Exchange building next to it, with a glass 2-story sunken atrium at the entrance. The first floor will be open to the public and serve as a public/private art space, with exhibits/lectures, etc. The plan calls for AIB to be relocated from Boston to Cambridge, and I for one think it will be a welcome addition to our neighborhood. From what I have seen of the drawings, the view from the neighboring streets, will be attractive. I think the Leslie project takes vibrant activity, both student and neighborhood, at least one more solid block down the desolate Avenue, and their preliminary thoughts re the parking lots are much better than what is there now and a lot better than some of the things that could be there. Ruth From: Bandar, Omar [mailto:obandar@cambridgema.gov] On Behalf Of Decker, Marjorie Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 5:03 PM To: rryals@comcast.net Subject: From the Office of Councillor Marjorie Decker Good afternoon Ms. Ryals, Councillor Decker thought that you would be interested in the following meeting announcements regarding the Lesley University project: Planning Board Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.: The Planning Board of the City of Cambridge will hold a public hearing at the Second Floor Meeting Room, at City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, Cambridge, Massachusetts on a zoning petition by Lesley University to amend the Zoning Map of the City of Cambridge to extend the Business C District (http://www.cambridgema.gov/~CDD/cp/zng/agenda/2009/pb_040709_hearing_lesley .pdf) Ordinance Committee Tuesday, April 14, 2009 4:00 PM: The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on a zoning petition submitted by Lesley University to amend the Zoning Map and Article 20.000 of the Zoning Ordinance by adding "Section 20.200 Lesley Porter Overlay District." This meeting to be televised. This meeting will be held in the Sullivan Chamber, Cambridge City Hall. (http://www.cambridgema.gov/cityclerk/HearingSchedule.cfm) Best, Omar Omar Bandar Assistant to Councillor Decker Cambridge City Hall 795 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge MA 02139 (617) 349-4276