Word: hre
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...ambiguous nature of Harvard's intentions to dispose of these six recently purchased parcels troubles longtime tenant activist Michael H. Turk. "It's always difficult to determine to what extent HRE is engaged in property acquisitions for the sake of expanding Harvard's commercial property or as a cover for the extension of the University itself," says Turk, a frequent opponent of Harvard who lives in University-owned housing...
Despite the apparent real estate revolution in HRE, Turk says the University's property management company is a long way off from any sort of openness...
...HRE has an attitude of the less said, the less known, the better. That's reflected in the way they've made these purchases, or even the way they've carefully skirted the issue when asked. What's the point in that [secrecy...
Turk also wonders why HRE never publicized the purchases of six large parcels of land, even after the fact. "If they did announce them upfront, [HRE] might reasonably expect questions to be asked about the purpose of all these acquisitions and the likely conclusions that might be drawn from them--namely, a new phase of University expansion...
Unfortunately, the lack of glasnost evident in this episode permeates the whole corporate structure of HRE, the University's in-house property management firm. Even when information does leak out about Harvard's real estate plans in Cambridge, University officials skirt the issues. Take the case of Harvard's recent bid on the DeWolfe St. property about to be put for lease by St. Paul's Church. While Harvard's $4 million offer appeared to provide for the low-income housing, the University in fact asked the church to fund the project. Harvard said it would automatically deduct $1 million...