It was a gut punch -- and not surprising -- at the same time.
It was a gut punch -- and not surprising -- at the same time. I’m talking about Alexandria Real Estate Equities' announcement that it is abandoning plans to convert Riverside Center in Auburndale into lab space. The California-based life science development firm will instead sell the three-building complex at a loss.
Greg Reibman
End of an era in Watertown
Watertown is about to lose what was once one of the city's marquee employers and commercial property owners. Athenahealth is moving its headquarters at Arsenal on the Charles about two miles down the road to Boston Landing in Brighton, according to Joe Clements at the Real Reporter. “Watertown has been Athenahealth’s home for nearly 20 years, and we thank the community for all of its support as we grew from a start-up to one of the largest employers in the Boston area,” CEO Bob Segert said in a statement.
Greg Reibman
Making history on Patriots Day week
Happy Patriots Day Weekend, one of the best weekends of the year to be in our chamber communities. Leading up to the 127th Boston Marathon on Monday, go here for suggested places to dine, shop and visit in Newton, Needham, Watertown, and Wellesley. And this video from the Chronicle documents some of the history along the route in Wellesley. (While the Swellesley Report talks about this guy who doesn't like hearing one of the things in the video.)
Greg Reibman
Hotel Indigo to house homeless
A plan to temporarily reopen Hotel Indigo at Riverside Station to provide emergency housing for local families is moving forward, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller announced last night. Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development is negotiating a contract with Catholic Charities of Boston and Mark Development, owner of the currently closed Indigo, for families experiencing homelessness with children (under 21) and pregnant women. Under the two-year contract, Mark Development would renovate
Greg Reibman
An alternative connection between Newton and Needham?
Transportation advocates, employers, employees, residents, and shoppers have long talked about creating an alternative way to travel between Newton and Needham that doesn’t involve driving along Needham Street and Highland Ave. The logical way to do that would be to connect the Upper Falls Greenway (a 12-foot wide former rail trail that runs parallel to Needham Street) over the river and then over I-95 (yes we’ll need a big, expensive, new overpass to replace the one torn down) to the abandoned right of way
Greg Reibman
No matter what the judge says, it wasn't the Planning Board's finest moment
Needham voters go to the polls one week from today (April 11) to fill two seats on the Select Board and one seat on the Planning Board. It's fair to say that the Planning Board contest, between incumbent Adam Block and challenger Rob Dangel, is the most contentious and consequential of the contests. In fact, the fate of future commercial and residential developments could possibly swing depending on the winner.
Greg Reibman
