MIT is transferring the deed for nearly one and one half acres of open space to the City of Cambridge, as the culmination of the landmark 1992 rezoning of Cambridgeport (the neighborhood between Central Square and the Charles River). In a unique arrangement, MIT agreed to donate and clean the land in exchange for future development rights. Eleven years later, the development rights have been used to construct MIT's 70 Pacific Street graduate student residence. The residence, now completed and occupied by 749 graduate students, has helped ease the housing crunch in Cambridge and improved residential life for MIT's graduate students. On Saturday, MIT will bring the process full circle by transferring the deed for the park to the City.

City of Cambridge Mayor Michael Sullivan will be on hand to receive the deed from MIT as Cambridge residents, MIT graduate students and staff, and City staff join together for refreshments provided by Passport A Taste of Europe, and an intra-community soccer game. MIT will also present the Cambridge Youth Soccer organization with one dozen soccer balls, and a $1200 check to purchase two soccer goals for the park. In the event of a downpour, the celebration will be moved to Sunday, May 18th at 3 PM. We will celebrate and play soccer in light rain.

Call 617-253-1988 for more information or to sign up to play.

Related links
70 pacific street dorm
Graduate student dorm project
The evolving MIT campus