New Planning Chief Has Eye on Downtown
As he assumes the powers of Boston’s new planning czar, BPDA Director James Arthur Jemison II is paying special attention to the future of downtown zoning and managing a looming development boom in Charlestown.
Wu Administration Seeks ‘Chief of Planning’
The first flicker of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s avowed effort to reform development practices in Boston has appeared, in the form of a job posting for a new “chief of planning.”
Mayor Wu Has Opportunities to Continue Boston’s Growth
Mayor Michelle Wu takes office with an ambitious agenda, broad support and real excitement that the city will prosper in new ways. Fortunately, today’s economy in Boston is strong in many areas, but this region’s future growth is far from guaranteed.
BPDA Dumps Plans for Charlestown Pier Redevelopment
Officials at the Boston Planning & Development Agency have rejected all three proposals to redevelop Pier 5 in the Charlestown Navy Yard amid intense neighborhood opposition and questions about proposals’ viability.
Banker & Tradesman’s Editorial Cartoon: Ninth Floor, Please
It’s time for incoming Boston Mayor Michelle Wu to act on some campaign pledges.
Should Boston Worry About Office-Building Slump?
Boston is still in the midst of an epic building boom. But as the pandemic rolls on, warning signs have emerged that could spell trouble down the line for a city that depends heavily on new commercial development to fill its tax coffers.
Personnel File
From new VPs to fresh project managers, see who’s been hired, promoted and honored: it’s The Personnel File.
Boston’s Next Mayor Must Put Words into Action
Dismantling the structures that perpetuate inequities for Bostonians should be a high priority for the next mayor. The reality is the future of the entire city of Boston depends on it.
Growth Must Lead to Shared Prosperity in Boston
Boston needs a development process that makes the most of our remarkable assets. First, we need to shake up the BPDA. Second, we need to speed up the development process. Third, we need to make Boston’s zoning more predictable.
Walsh Raised Bar on Housing Production
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s pro-housing agenda delivered benefits to the city but critics say Walsh missed opportunities to make development more equitable and address the transportation and climate change crises.
BPDA OKs Linkage Fee Hikes, JP Development
A proposal to for a big increase in Boston’s development fees passed a key hurdle Thursday night, moving it closer to reality.
Boston’s Next Mayor Must Deliver Homes for All
A fundamental tension between outdated institutions that deliver progress on housing and the need for fundamental reform necessary for a more equitable future will underlie this race.
Marty Walsh Gave Boston Room Flourish
Reasonable and amiable, outgoing Boston Mayor Marty Walsh never dominated the city’s political and development scenes like his predecessors. Yet he will leave as big an impact on Boston’s skyline and cityscape as any of his predecessors.
Boston Finalizes Fair Housing Zoning Changes
A plan to reverse exclusionary zoning in Boston and address discriminatory housing practices needs only Mayor MartyWalsh’s already-pledged signature to take effect, after receiving a favorable vote Wednesday from the Boston Zoning Commission.
How Boston Development Could Change Under a New Mayor
At-Large Councilor Michelle Wu and District 4 Councilor Andrea Campbell are mapping out reforms that they say would deliver on missed opportunities, including the disposition of city-owned properties to alleviate the housing crisis.
BPDA OKs Seaport Lab Tower, 5 Multifamily Projects
The Boston Planning & Development Agency Board of Directors gave the nod to the latest commercial project bound for the city’s Seaport District.
I’ve Got a Better Plan for Suffolk Downs
The redevelopment of Suffolk Downs promises to be one of the biggest real estate plays in Boston’s history, but amid a dire shortage of middle-class housing, it also represents a massive missed opportunity.
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.
BPDA Misses Mark Rejecting Amazon Delivery Hub
In Boston, apparently, city officials would rather take the inevitable traffic that will come from Amazon’s push to speed up deliveries while skipping the jobs it would come with.
Michelle Wu Needs a Better Platform
Her case against Boston Mayor Marty Walsh appears better suited to interviewing to be the executive director of the BPDA, not mayor of one of the nation’s oldest, greatest and most vibrant cities.
