Jehlen: Somerville adding 1,775 homes hasn’t kept rents from rising at three times inflation
It will take a long time and a lot of money to build the 200,000 units officials believe Massachusetts needs. Gov. Maura Healey’s proposed Affordable Homes Act will cost $4 billion and expects to produce 40,000 homes over the next five years.
New owner of land holding arts center building wants to rezone to allow in more business types
Another potential rezoning of Somerville’s fabrication – or “fab” – district was met with intense opposition during a meeting of the City Council’s Land Use Committee.
Attend meetings Feb. 23 to March 1 in Cambridge about adding more housing faster and Porter labs
Public meetings this week look at making more housing and making it more affordable, a decision on a plan to reclaim the fenced-off Jerry’s Pond, room for small tech at Porter Square and planning for the Massachusetts Avenue of 2040.
Cambridge should end exclusionary zoning this City Council term
Everyone should have the option to live in every Cambridge neighborhood, not just people who can afford a single-family home.
There will be a strategy in place for Central Square by the fall, city manager tells Cambridge’s council
Cambridge is getting ready to implement a plan for Central Square … from 13 years ago. It’s also preparing to act on one from 11 years ago. And six years ago.
Somernova expansion plan is being withdrawn, with reintroduction likely coming in the spring
Plans for a $3.3 billion, 1.6 million-square-mile expansion of the Somernova tech and business campus are being withdrawn for now, the developer said.
Attend meetings in Cambridge from Feb. 9-16 about micromobility and toll of vacant spaces
Public meetings this week look at making a better Central Square, how to make City Hall contracting more equitable, the economic toll of vacant spaces and the use of “micromobility” devices on city streets.
Attend meetings in Somerville from Feb. 9-16 about displacement, disabilities and tobacco
Public meetings this week look at local compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, job creation and retention and displacement and gentrification, zoning changes and a potential regulation restricting the sale of tobacco products.
Compromise zoning for Somernova expansion would rein in size but still lose some ‘fab’ district
In a compromise to address a proposed a $3.3 billion redevelopment and expansion at the Somernova tech and business campus, Somerville’s mayor said she is considering adding an “innovation” category to commercial zoning.
Let’s spark more housing
Cambridge and other cities that are “pro housing” still have a serious production problem. Let’s see what tax incentives or other relief can change that.
