"We and others thought the University had broken the stereotype of institutional disregard for the interests of the local community after it successfully completed a five-year master plan," reads part of a staff editorial in yesterday's Allston-Brighton Citizen. "But then reality sank in."

While the University continues to wrangle with Boston officials over the purchase--the latest dispute being over zoning--Harvard officials and community residents have begun the process of rebuilding shattered relations.

Harvard has indicated that it may file an amendment to its master plan to accommodate the building purchase and administration officials have said they want to set up a mechanism with the community to avoid a repeat of this summer's dispute.

Specifically, University officials say they might submit to some type of boundary arrangement, which would prevent the University from buying land in certain parts of Allston-Brighton.

Boston College this week rejected such a pact, calling it unnecessarily restrictive, but Harvard and community officials say it may be one way of preventing future misunderstandings over the propriety of University purchases, and putting Harvard back in good standing with Allston-Brighton.

"Everyone was hailing [Harvard's master plan] as a model plan--a process working the way it's supposed to work," says Marilyn Lyng O'Connell, Harvard's co-director for community relations. "I think in the end history will still record it that way."