Community complaints have prevented construction on the museums before, and the University seems determined not to repeat past mistakes.

The initial plan for the Sackler Museum had included a bridge over Broadway between the Sackler and the Fogg. But building the bridge involved using community airspace, and the community denied the University the necessary permission.

A recent resurrection of the bridge proposal was turned down as well.

"It became clear that the idea of a bridge--even a more modest bridge was not very acceptable," said John Pitkin, president of the Mid-Cambridge Community Association.

Pitkin said that the new tunnel proposal will also require community approval.

"In order to connect the buildings underground, they're going to need public approval, so the public is going to be heard sooner or later," he said. "Even if Harvard wanted to be a bad neighbor, they probably wouldn't have any choice."

Pitkin expressed optimism that the University "understands the problems and hired an architect that understands the problems" but said it was too early to tell whether the community would approve of the plan.

"This is all new," he said. "There is quite a diversity of opinion, and there has been no discussion of the plan outside of the meeting on Saturday."

University officials said that they, too, have a long way to go before they are ready to begin the renovations.

The University needs to raise funds for the project in addition to earning community approval.