Boston College will take legal action to oppose Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller’s plan to seize by eminent domain 17 acres of land the University purchased in 2016 at 300 Hammond Pond Parkway in Newton.
At a meeting of the Webster Woods Advisory Panel on September 18, Mayor Fuller announced that she was taking the aggressive action “to protect forest land and the habitat it provides for mammals, amphibians, and insects.”
The University acquired a 24-acre parcel from Congregation Mishkan Tefila for $20 million in 2016, including the 17 acres commonly known as Webster Woods. The City of Newton did not attempt to buy the land when it was for sale.
Since then, Boston College has invested more than $5 million to refurbish the former Congregation building, and more than $1.5 million to repair a city sewer line. To date, the University has not proposed any development plans for the 17-acre parcel.
Associate Vice President for University Communications Jack Dunn said that the University would oppose the mayor’s plan “to the fullest extent possible using all avenues.”
University Communications
