Worcester to Allow Construction to Resume
Starting today, site preparation work can begin at city-sponsored construction projects in Worcester that meet the state’s definition of an “essential” construction project.
Walsh Begins Easing Construction Moratorium
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced a gradual easing of the city’s six-week-old construction moratorium, beginning with an immediate OK to resume site preparation on essential projects as defined by the state of Massachusetts.
Apartment Developer Sees Biggest Rent Drops in Boston Area
Multifamily developer Equity Residential said rents at its Boston-area properties have registered the steepest declines across its national portfolio since Jan. 1.
Newton Drops Construction Freeze
New state regulations intended to allow retailers to fulfill online orders while keeping their doors closed to the general public will also allow construction projects to resume in Newton, the city says.
Construction Unions Offer COVID-19 Advice in Spanish
The state’s council of building trades unions is making COVID-19 safety advice available in Spanish as many health care and housing-related construction sites continue to operate outside of Boston, Cambridge, Somerville and Watertown.
Baker Makes Mistake on Construction Freeze
Gov. Charlie Baker has stuck by his guns, with state officials issuing beefed up social distancing and cleaning protocols they argue will allow construction workers to hammer away safely. However, this is a mistake, and potentially a very big one at that.
Union Carpenters Continue Work Stoppage
Union carpenters are complying with leaders’ issuance of a stop-work directive for Massachusetts construction sites because of concerns that the job sites are breeding grounds for the spread of COVID-19.
Painters’ Union to Walk Off Jobs Today
A second large building trades union has directed its members to stop working out of fear of spreading the coronavirus at construction sites.
Cambridge Updates Construction Guidelines, Newton Adds Restrictions
The city of Cambridge upheld its two-week-old ban on most construction activity and issued new guidelines for contractors during the COVID-19 emergency, while Newton issued new restrictions on building activity.
Union Carpenters Told to Down Tools Statewide
The North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters on Thursday evening directed all of its members to stop working on construction sites in Massachusetts from April 6 “until it is safe to do so.”
Trades Unions Call for Statewide Construction Freeze
Leaders of the unions representing 75,000 building tradespeople want freezes on construction activity in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville and Watertown to be extended state-wide.
Walsh Wins a Victory for Workers
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh made a tough, but ultimately correct, call last week to hold firm on the city’s coronavirus construction freeze.
State Construction Projects to Hold COVID-19 Stand-Down
Public construction projects statewide will be brought to a temporary halt Friday while contractors review site-specific issues, develop mitigation strategies and communicate to workers about new state guidelines for construction work during the coronavirus pandemic.
Baker Says He’ll Defer to Walsh on Construction Freeze
Gov. Charlie Baker said in a Thursday afternoon press conference that local officials had to be satisfied they had the capacity to enforce safe work sites before they could lift construction freezes.
Baker Overturns Boston Construction Ban; Walsh Doubles Down
Gov. Charlie Baker has issued a new directive that would allow shuttered construction sites across Boston, Cambridge and Walpole to start up again.
Baker: Construction Must Go On
While much of the work done in Massachusetts has shifted to being performed remotely, if at all, during the coronavirus pandemic, many construction sites are still buzzing with activity and the Baker administration is planning to provide some guidance in the coming days to ensure that work is done safely.
Construction Bans Begin to Affect Suburbs
Following the lead of Boston and Cambridge, the town of Walpole has ordered a shutdown of major construction sites in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Cambridge Joins Boston with Construction Freeze
Cambridge officials Wednesday night issued a moratorium on all construction activity in the city “until further notice” to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Baker: No Plan ‘At This Point’ for Statewide Construction Shutdown
While Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has, citing public health concerns, brought all construction projects to a halt in his city, Gov. Charlie Baker said yesterday he has no plans for a similar move statewide.
Construction Ban Puts Pressure on Projects’ Financing
A shutdown order for Boston’s construction sites is likely to place strains on developments’ financing packages as developers struggle to meet investors’ timelines to make progress.
