"We have the opportunity to develop and shape our community," Mallone said. "This just gives us more territory to work with."

University President Neil L. Rudenstine said in a press release that the land will not be developed without the input of the Allston community and city officials.

"We also look forward to continuing our constructive discussions with our Allston neighbors and the City of Boston as we seek to craft a shared vision for how this space might be used in the most beneficial fashion," Rudenstine said.

High Hurdles

But before development plans occur, the University must clear hurdles to completely secure the land.

Besides the Genzyme plant, the land the University plans to purchase is currently occupied by CSX Transportation, with much of the area covered by rail yards and warehouses. The company has a permanent easement on the land, allowing their trains to continue running through the area even if Harvard purchases it.

The routes will most likely have to be relocated before the land could be developed.

"As a development area, it has to be regarded as extremely difficult," Grogan said. "It's going to be complex."