Spilka Eyes Sales Tax Exemption to Encourage Housing
The idea to exempt multifamily projects’ building materials would first be studied by a commission before any changes get formally proposed.
State Delays Enforcement of Electric Truck Requirements
The move will likely be a relief to contractors, who say there aren’t enough clean trucks or charging stations available, but it’s being met with anger by environmental advocates.
Trump’s 25 Percent Tariffs on Mexico, Canada Take Effect
President Donald Trump’s long-threatened tariffs against Canada and Mexico went into effect Tuesday, putting global markets on edge and setting up costly retaliations by the United States’ North American allies.
Leadership Changes as Architecture Firm Turns 30
This year’s 30-year anniversary of Harvard-based Maugel DeStefano Architects’ founding is accompanied by a transition in leadership. Founder Brent Maugel is handing off control to 22-year veteran Jonathan Cocker and two other principals.
Construction Workforce Key to Affordability Fight
If Massachusetts politicians want to take truly meaningful steps towards making the state more attractive and more livable, they should start beating feet towards efforts to expand pipelines into the building trades.
A Force in Expanding the Firm’s Project Footprint
Stephen Callahan Jr. is part of the third generation of management in Callahan Construction Managers as the company raises its profile throughout New England and the tri-state area as it nears its 70-year anniversary.
Data Shows Inflation Still Hammering Construction Costs
The Associated General Contractors of America has released new data which shows that construction companies are still struggling with the continuous rise of prices for materials and services.
Signs of Relief for Construction Costs in 2023
At the close of 2022, statistics on the performance of the Boston metro area multifamily housing market in the first three quarters are in, along with predictions for what’s to come next year.
Boston Research Bureau Says Inflation Could Pressure $3.6B Capital Plan
Boston’s $3.6 billion capital plan for the next five years might need to be adjusted if economic conditions deteriorate, a fiscal watchdog agency said.
Two Big Newton Lab Projects Delayed by Economic Headwinds
Mark Development will ask the MBTA for a two-year extension of its deadline to acquire a lab development site in Newton in the latest sign of softening for the life science market.
In Chamber Speech, Wu Promises Faster Housing Approvals
In her first speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce as mayor, Michelle Wu laid out a range of policy priorities that her administration is working on to boost businesses.
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.
Sky-High Diesel Prices Squeeze Truckers, Construction
High costs for diesel — the fuel of choice for America’s construction and logistics industries — are rippling through the economy. And even if American oil and gas producers increase production, tough challenges will remain.
Ukraine War, Infrastructure Bill Compound Construction Cost Hikes
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and new spending driven by the $110 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will place more price pressure on construction projects in the coming months, according to a pair of industry reports.
This Month in History: Sox First Play at Fenway
The 2022 equivalent of $3.52 million was all Boston Red Sox owner Charles Taylor needed to buy the land that became the storied ballpark over the course of 1911 and 1912.
Construction Materials Costs Soared 20 Percent in One Year
It now costs about 20 percent more to build a commercial building in the United States than it did a year ago, according to an analysis of government data by a major construction trade group.
Multifamily Development Feels the Inflation Pinch
The recent surge in inflation is starting to effect construction of multifamily housing in Massachusetts, forcing some developers to put projects on hold or revamp their financial assumptions amid skyrocketing materials and labor costs.
AGC: Contractors Have Begun Passing on Rising Materials Costs
Contractors appear to be no longer willing to eat rising material and other costs driven by supply chain kinks, labor shortages and inflation, a new analysis of federal economic data by the Associated General Contractors of America suggests.
Boston’s Future Depends on Building Out its Workforce Pipeline
Multiple recent public opinion polls found that housing is a top issue for voters heading into Boston’s upcoming mayoral election, but without addressing the commonwealth’s shortage of skilled trades workers, the winner’s ability to make progress on housing production goals will be limited, at best.
Don’t Blame Labor for Boston’s High Building Costs
The Hub is No. 7 on the Turner & Townsend’s top 10 most expensive cities to build in. But it misses the mark by trying to off-load a big chunk of the blame on the workers building all those new towers taking shape.
