Image courtesy of Elkus Manfredi Architects
A giant new Northeastern University dorm tower got the BPDA’s blessing last night, one of six developments totaling 2.6 million square feet OK’d.
That tally includes 1.4 million square feet worth of new lab buildings in Charlestown and the South End, plus a planned development area agreement for a 1.8 million-square-foot development on Charlestown’s waterfront.
What else is on tap today?
- NAR Settles Commission Lawsuits: The abrupt about-face appears to cover all Massachusetts brokerages except those affiliated with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices from future liabilities.
- BPDA Backs Rezoning Push: The agency’s board of directors gave cautious support for Mayor Michelle Wu’s rezoning plan designed to encourage mid-rise housing construction near transit stops. But each of the 18 neighborhoods will still have to work out specifics.
- T’s Budget Gap Plan: MBTA budget-writers will trim spending on consultants and delaying lower-priority purchases, taking aim at a $93 million budget gap for the coming fiscal year.
- It’s the Home Prices, Stupid: America failed to build enough homes for its growing population. Now, the shortage strikes at the heart of the American dream of homeownership – dampening President Joe Biden’s assurances that the U.S. economy is strong in an election year.
Who Gave Back?
North Shore Bank announced its employees recently presented the Reading Food Pantry with a $1,200 contribution raised via one of its regular Jeans Day events. See who else gave back.
What can I look forward to?
Here are just a few of the things to look forward to in Sunday’s newsletter. Not a B&T subscriber? Change that here.
- Despite negative headlines, some towns are approaching their obligations under the MBTA Communities law with gusto, aiming to go above and beyond requirements to add more multifamily zoning.
- Columnist Scott Van Voorhis explores an alternate idea to get more Boston suburbs on board with building more housing.
- Matt Maggiore got his start at his family’s Woburn-based construction and development firm as a laborer alongside young Ben and Casey Afleck. Now company president, he’s hunting for suburban Boston condominium development sites.
