By Joe Spurr, News Staff | Page: 1
The pile driver fired without relent, piercing the air like shotgun blasts echoing against the surrounding structures of West Village and the John D. O’Bryant African-American Institute.
Amid construction of the new Behrakis center, the machine’s rhythmic recoil was not unlike the tick-tock of a clock, serving its reminder to those within earshot the dwindling number of days remaining until May 10 — the deadline for an administrative decision regarding the future whereabouts of the Institute.
An open forum held Monday in the Raytheon Amphitheater allowed public input to be heard regarding the Institute’s future, and the majority in attendance made their point loud and clear: students are not alone when the say they want the O’Bryant building to remain.
“I stand with the students wholeheartedly,” said Leonard Alkins, president of Boston’s chapter of the NAACP. “Reasonable people can make reasonable decisions. I think how this situation is handled will determine this university’s relationship to people of color.”
Provost David Hall played mediator at the event, and after a summary of past meetings, offered on behalf of the administration some alternatives for the Institute.
Options included relocation to the first floor of the Forsyth Building, a third floor addition to the Forsyth Building, first floor of Dockser Hall, the sixth floor of 716 Columbus Place, or renovation or new construction of its current Leon Street location.
Advisory Committee-member Ibiere Seck spoke for the advisory board.
“This building holds the souls of those who fought for civil rights and stands on the shoulders of our ancestors,” Seck said. “We feel that this committee is a front, that the decision to relocate was not a collaborative process, and that alternative sites [for the Institute] are incompatible and inadequate. Three floors cannot fit on one floor of another building. We are concerned our programs will be phased out, and we will not take that.”
She used the words of the building’s namesake: “If you’re not there to serve the students, you’re in the wrong place.”
Lively debate was also heard from those outside the official Northeastern community.
“You can build around the Institute, you can preserve the history of the Institute,” said Dr. Jack Porter, an urban sociologist. “Northeastern seems to be tearing things down before they can build a history.”
“Change needn’t always be viewed negatively,” said George Thrush, associate professor of art and architecture. “It shouldn’t and I hope [the debate] isn’t perceived as ‘us versus them.’ It shouldn’t be defensive, but rather, progressive.”
Provost Hall responded in closing to earlier claims that a decision had already been made, assuring Institute supporters that what they have said “is taken very seriously.”
Richard O’Bryant, son of the institute’s namesake, spoke regarding the dangers of separation.
“We cannot allow these divisions to occur,” he said. “We need to bridge this gap as a community.”
Alkins, president of Boston’s chapter of the NAACP, agreed.
“The time for calling names is over,” he said.
David Lee, architect of the 1970 construction of the O’Bryant Institute, also helped design Renaissance Garage, Renaissance Place, and Ruggles Station.
He gave his take on the situation when interviewed by The News.
“In terms of ‘the best option,’ it’s very complicated,” he said. “Some of it has to do with timing, disruptions of the existing program, long-term objectives, and sentimental value. That site holds special significance for the students and that’s not something you can take lightly,” Lee said.
“Of course I’d love to design a new Afro center, and am prepared to design the very best facility to serve this program,” Lee said. “John O’Bryant was a good friend of mine, I would certainly do it in a way that would make everyone proud.”