"And as an adult, I haven’t spent as much time in Harvard Square."

That's basically the problem. (Not you, specifically) but people who don't live in a neighborhood, who don't visit, don't shop there. don't work there, don't spend money there, don't own property there, don't run a business there--they don't usually get a voice in how a neighborhood develops over time.

"Harvard Square isn’t what is used to be." It's like The Neverending Story. You have to go there. You have to participate. You have to be part of the story. Or else it gets consumed by the Nothing. (again, speaking in general terms--not trying to call you out)