Personnel File – No. 428
From new VPs to fresh project managers, see who’s been hired, promoted and honored, it’s our weekly Personnel File roundup.
Rent Control Backers Report Huge Signature Haul
The campaign behind a proposed 2026 ballot measure to establish rent control across the state says it has cleared the highest signature-gathering hurdle in the initiative petition process well ahead of deadline.
Name Change for NAIOP-MA Reflects Expanded Reach
The region’s largest commercial developers trade group is adopting a new name that better reflects its modern-day focus.
Batte Brews Over Claims Accessibility Regs Block Gateway Cities Development
At issue is a state regulation dating to 1968 that says anytime the cost of a renovation project exceeds 30 percent of a property’s assessed value the work must also incorporate changes to make it fully accessible for those with disabilities.
New Data Shows Boston Homeowners Face Smaller Tax Increase
A Boston senator delayed action on a controversial home rule petition for the second time this week, pushing consideration off after new data emerged about the city’s property tax outlook.
Senate Must Act by Monday on Tax Rate Deal, Boston Says
Boston City Hall’s assessing chief on Tuesday voiced an ever-tightening timeline for Beacon Hill to act on the city’s property tax plan, while also declining to share data that some skeptical officials have said could be key to moving the needle on the controversial bill.
Boston Tax Bill Delayed Amid Fears Towns Could Copy City’s Ask
A senator from South Boston delayed action Monday on a controversial, time-sensitive Boston property tax reclassification bill, which is now on ice until after the deadline for action recommended by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
House Vote Sends Boston Tax Bill to Senate
The House of Representatives on Monday approved the city of Boston’s request to temporarily reconfigure the way it splits property taxes between commercial and residential taxpayers.
Developers Get Two-Year Building Permit Extension on Jobs Bill
Commercial real estate interests are cheering the inclusion of language to extend valid permits – including ones for around 40,000 unbuilt homes – for an additional two years in the economic development bill expected to head to the governor Thursday.
Notable Biz Groups Absent from Deal on Boston Tax Rate Hikes
Next time it may not be so easy for Boston’s mayor. And given current market trends, not only will there almost certainly be a next time, and it won’t be long in coming, either.
City Council Backs Boston Property Tax Deal
The deal between Mayor Michelle Wu and four business groups will see commercial property tax rates rise, but not by as much as previously feared.
Flynn Derails Vote on Boston Property Tax Deal as Deadline Looms
Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn dramatically scuppered attempts to bring a last-minute compromise on city commercial property tax rates up for a vote Wednesday afternoon. Councilors plan to meet Friday to take another vote.
Wu, Biz Groups Announce Deal on Tax Fracas
Boston commercial property tax rates will be going up next year to help ease homeowners’ tax bills, but not by as much and not for as long as business groups had originally feared.
Wu Rejects Tax Compromise, Biz Leader Says
A business coalition offered a compromise deal Friday that would have seen property taxes on commercial buildings rise, but by less than what Boston’s mayor wanted.
Marinas, Housing Developers Fight Healey Stormwater Strategy
The regulatory biggest changes in decades seek to push projects away from the waterfront and could raise costs for inland housing construction.
20 Groups Weigh in on Milton MBTA Communities Suit
Three former attorneys general, two towns, one state rep and a number of advocates and industry groups have all filed briefs with the the Supreme Judicial Court on whether Attorney General Andrea Campbell has the legal authority to compel Milton to comply with the MBTA Communities Act.
NAIOP Pushes for Delay in New Boston Affordability Rules
Pointing to the doldrums in which housing development has been stuck, industry group NAIOP Massachusetts asked the Wu administration to delay next week’s implementation of higher affordability requirements.
Real Estate Groups, Chambers of Commerce Urge Senate to Skip Transfer Taxes
The top banking and real estate groups in Massachusetts have teamed up with a pair of business groups to plead with state senators to pass on proposed new real estate transfer taxes.
Fed Rate Policy Dims CRE Outlook
High cost of debt and the Federal Reserve’s diminished rate-cutting plans are weighing on property valuations and continue to discourage transactions in many asset categories, commercial real estate executives said at an industry forum.
Biz Leaders: Wu’s Tax Plan Makes Suburbs Winners
Business leaders warned Wednesday morning that increases to Boston’s commercial property tax rate would further diminish downtown as an economic center and drive businesses to Cambridge and suburban communities.
