Northeastern Gives $886,000 In PILOT Payments To Boston

Northeastern University recently paid the city of Boston $886,000 to help cover the costs of municipal services, but that was far less than the $2.5 million the city requested.

Under a program started in 2011, the city asks nonprofits with more than $15 million worth of tax-exempt property to make voluntary PILOT contributions - payments in lieu of taxes. The money is supposed to offset the nonprofits' use of city services, including police and fire protection.

While a Boston Globe review found many colleges gave far less than requested, Northeastern gave nothing.

The college in January made an $886,000 payment for the 2014 fiscal year.

The university said the $2.5 million requested was not fair, and pointed out that it contributes to the well-being of the city in many other ways.