Blog post #5

 Throughout the last 25 years, the Harvard square has changed drastically, mostly because of the demand for more offices, housing, and parking spaces as well as the real-estate boom. The Harvard square used to be home to many local, independent stores, but is now taken over by many large chains. One building/store that is a good example of this discussion is the playa bowls. Playa bowls is a very common and fairly new store that was brought to Cambridge and is now at the center of the square. This store does not hold much value to the square and is located in many different locations around the country. However, the Pinocchio's Pizza restaurant that is owned by a local family (my friends family in fact) is able to maintain that locally owned independent store feel. This has impacted Harvard square's growth because these chains have almost modernized the square while also keeping some historical significance.

https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/lifestyle/health-fitness/2020/10/30/without-students-and-holiday-boost-harvard-square-businesses-fear-for-future/114545166/

thecrimson.com/article/2020/8/27/playa-bowls-opens-harvard-square/

https://www.thecrimson.com/image/2019/4/22/square-eats-map/

Image of the "good eats" in Harvard square by The Crimson

Disclaimer: I am completing this assignment a week earlier because I did not realize we did not have a blog post due this Monday, so the significant topics could vary. 

After reading the agenda for Cambridge Historical Commission, it struck my attention that they will be reviewing the demolishment of the house on 12 Lake View Ave. from 1846 and also the house on 6 Brookline St. from 1929. On the planning boards agenda there are five main categories that they will be covering: business (supporting small business community), mobility (improve infrastructure for sustainable choices), housing (address affordability and supply), public space (increase open space resources), and climate (plan for climate mitigation and resilience).