Community Good Works
From $100,000 capacity-building gifts to affordable housing providers to scholarships for teachers, real estate agents and lenders gave back in several ways this week.
Suffolk Downs Clears Biggest Hurdle After Housing Debate
The 16.5-million redevelopment of the Suffolk Downs racetrack cleared its largest hurdle to date after an extended debate that brought to a boil concerns over housing affordability and displacement in East Boston.
Texas Developer Updating Drug Manufacturing Plant Following Acquisition
A Houston developer is updating a 64,736-square-foot biomanufacturing and R&D building acquired from Alexandria Real Estate Equities to attract new tenants,
MLS PIN Rebrands as ‘Wicked Smart’
MLS PIN, the largest multiple-listings service in Massachusetts, has relaunched its website to better support agents accessing it via mobile devices, combining the move with rebranding itself as “wicked smart.”
Mortgage Activity Up in Mass., U.S.
Mortgage refinance and purchase applications across the country increased last week, while the month of August saw Massachusetts refinance activity nearly double.
Florida Firm Buys Auburn Mall Ex-Anchor Space for $50M
A Florida private equity firm specializing in senior care homes and medical office facilities has bought a large slice of the Auburn Mall for $50 million.
27-Unit Building Could Replace Three-Family in Dorchester
The sale of a nearly half-acre Dorchester property will clear the way for a proposed 27-unit multifamily development.
Wells Fargo CEO Apologizes for Hiring Diversity Complaints
Wells Fargo CEO Charles Scharf apologized Wednesday for comments he made suggesting it is difficult to find qualified Black executives in the financial industry.
‘Less Optimistic’ Rosengren Outlines Worries Headed Into Fall
The head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston is not as optimistic about what’s to come for the national economy as other monetary policymakers.
Baker Hints Eviction Ban Will End Oct. 17
Gov. Charlie Baker has signaled he won’t extend the state’s eviction ban a second time past its Oct. 17 expiration date.
Andrea Campbell Jumps Into Boston Mayor’s Race
Boston City Council President Andrea Campbell is joining at-large City Councilor Michelle Wu in the race to be the city’s next chief executive.
‘Bay City’ Would Transform Dorchester Waterfront
A master-planned development on 34 acres could bring 1,740 housing units and 4 million square feet of commercial space to the Dorchester waterfront.
Columbia Fund Buys Somerville Development Parcels for $34.7M
Columbia Property Trust is the latest institutional investor to bet on the growth of Somerville’s Boynton Yards.
Baker Lets Restaurants Expand Dining Capacity
Starting Monday, restaurants can seat groups of up to 10 people at indoor and outdoor dining tables – an increase from the current limit of six – and utilize bar seating for food service with the proper distance between patrons.
People’s United to Sell Insurance Division
Bridgeport, Connecticut-based People’s United Bank plans to sell its insurance division to Florida-based AssuredPartners in a cash deal valued at $120 million.
Two Riverworks Tenants Extend Leases
A pair of Riverworks at Aetna Mills tenants in Watertown have signed lease extensions with landlord Paradigm Properties totaling nearly 47,000 square feet.
Single-Family Median Sale Price Surges in August
The median price of a Massachusetts single-family home surged 14.3 percent in August as low inventory of homes for sale pressured buyers to compete aggressively.
Fed Offers its Own CRA Reform Package
Another attempt to overhaul the Community Reinvestment Act moved forward yesterday as the Federal Reserve released its proposal to modernize the legislation that encourages financial institutions to meet community credit needs.
Site Work Under Way at West Roxbury Development
Callahan Construction Managers has resumed site work in West Roxbury at the site of an 254-unit apartment complex being developed by Lincoln Property Co.
Feds, State Postpone Decision on Allston I-90 Megaproject
State and federal officials have not settled on a preferred design for a years-long megaproject in Allston, and are extending the review process to further analyze possible construction layouts and to allow more time for public feedback.
