A Plea for Humility and Transparency
It’s ironic the Baker administration’s chosen approach to the much-needed Orange Line shutdown seems destined to further erode the same public trust in the T it was supposed to repair.
This Clause Keeps Sellers in Charge
Up until a month or two ago, sellers were in the driver’s seat, but as buyers’ use of contingencies rise, they still have an option to control the deal.
‘Vulture Season’ in Massachusetts Is Closed for Now
Landlords and developers got two wins in the last 30 days in the fight to stop tenant “right of first refusal” or “TOPA” laws: one on Beacon Hill and the other in a Middlesex County Courtroom.
Banker & Tradesman’s Editorial Cartoon: Timeout Called in Everett
Better luck next season, Carlo and Bob.
Check Your Cyberattack Response Steps Before It Becomes a Concern
With the Russian invasion in Ukraine continuing to lead the daily news and as sanctions by the United States against Russia escalate, acts of cyberterrorism against businesses in this country are highly likely.
Will Crash or Slowdown Follow Boston’s Lab Boom?
It’s looking like the answer to the question of what to do with a piece of real estate is no longer just “convert it to life science space,” at least for a few years.
Seize the Moment for Office-to-Residential Conversions
With the discount end of the office market shuddering, it’s time for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Gov. Charlie Baker to be as aggressive as possible in encouraging office-to-housing conversions downtown.
Our Next Governor Should Be a Transit Governor
We can’t expect to prosper and grow with the nation’s worst traffic and housing costs. Getting transit fixes and investments right is key to fixing both issues.
Sale Fees Don’t Always Jibe with Price
At the same commission rate, real estate agents who sell an $800,000 house receive eight times the compensation of those who sell a $100,000 home. But does it take eight times the effort to sell the more expensive property?
Aligned Building Policies Are Good for the Mass. Economy
The recent record-setting heatwave should serve as an alarming reminder that climate change is already threatening us. Without federal action, state and local leaders must keep building decarbonization standards uniform across the state.
Is Wu’s Rent Control Panel Actually Listening?
The panel crafting Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s promised “rent stabilization” proposal is telling members of the public to not argue about the merits of rent control, only how to implement it.
Banker & Tradesman’s Editorial Cartoon: Our New Mascot, Merger Man!
Rockland Trust officials told investors during its second-quarter earnings call that it’s still on the hunt for mergers. So maybe the bank’s should update it’s branding, a little?
Will Pairing Climate and Housing Policy Give Mass. a Win?
If state infrastructure grants and moral duty aren’t enough to sway residents and officials in Newton and Arlington to pull their weight in solving the state’s housing crisis, could the climate emergency help?
How Early Feedback Built Support for a 1,016-Unit Development
WinnCompanies presented a set of principles and design guidelines to the community, not a completed plan for the Mary Ellen McCormack redevelopment in South Boston, then asked for community input.
Ruling Creates Uncertainty About Future Waterfront Development
A state Supreme Judicial Court ruling could make it harder for owners of waterfront properties to make improvements and refinance or re-lease them amid uncertainty about enforcement of Massachusetts’ Chapter 91 land use rules.
Supporting Female Entrepreneurship Must be a Means to COVID Recovery
Banks can help women in their communities tap into the innovative spirit and creativity that is already within them.
Costs Key to Building Affordable Housing in Turbulent Market
Affordable housing projects are among the most difficult developments to finance. Recent inflation-driven cost escalation requires developers and contractors to become supply chain experts.
Let’s Clear the Air on West Virginia v. EPA
The Supreme Court’s ruling in this case will likely prompt industries aggrieved by agency regulations to petition courts to nullify those regulations under the major questions doctrine.
What Risks Do Banks Face Today?
The OCC’s latest Semiannual Risk Perspective is out, and it offers banking leaders plenty of food for thought about what’s waiting for them around the next corner.
Builders Put the Brakes on New Housing
As building costs soar, developers in Greater Boston are putting the brakes on new housing projects. And given the record high home prices and rents in the Boston area, this is the last thing we need.
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