Good morning,

The MBTA Communities Act was the most significant zoning reform in Massachusetts in decades.

But it was never meant to solve the housing crisis on its own. Four years later, housing costs remain high and communities are still working through implementation.

Join us one week from this morning (Jan. 27) at our annual Real Estate Forum, presented by Needham Bank, for a discussion with three of the region’s leading housing advocates, who will share ideas for the next steps to boost housing supply and affordability. RSVP.

Boston tax fight on businesses is about us, too

Unless you own real estate in Boston, you may not be following Mayor Michelle Wu’s two-year push to charge commercial property owners more in property taxes than state law already allows.

But you should be.

Under Massachusetts law, cities and towns may tax commercial properties at up to 175% of the residential rate — and many already do.

But Wu has been seeking the state’s permission to go beyond that cap, even as her city struggles with more office vacancies than any other Northeastern city

Among those pushing back is state Sen. William Brownsberger, who instead favors targeted relief tools for vulnerable homeowners without shifting even more costs onto employers’ backs.

Brownsberger, who represents Watertown, Belmont and parts of Boston, has warned that breaking the state’s long-standing limit would set a dangerous precedent.

“If we voted for this amendment and passed it today, the result would be requests from every other city with a similar tax structure,” Brownsberger said during last week’s Senate debate.

Brownsberger’s stand in support of businesses has prompted Wu to recruit one of her top advisors, Daniel Landerto, to challenge him this fall.

However,  even if Wu were to succeed in unseating the Legislature’s two most vocal  critics of her proposal — Brownsberger and Sen. Nick Collins — her tax shift  plan may never cross the finish line, having been rejected by the Senate, 33–5,  notes Kelly Garrity at Politico.

EDC chair: Don’t abandon Newton Centre Plaza yet

City Councilor Tarik Lucas and former Councilor Alan Lobovits are seeking to repeal last November’s decision by the city’s Traffic Council to allow the Newton Centre Plaza pilot project to continue through at least the rest of 2026.

That’s a mistake, argues Chuck Tanowitz in a Newton Beacon op-ed, noting that the outdoor space grew in popularity in its first year, despite some initial concerns.

The Newton Economic Development Commission chair draws a parallel between the plaza (photo, above) and the popular public space at Bram Way in Newtonville (photo below).

“Bram Way emerged from controversy with plenty of people opposing the nearby development and predicting it would be an empty wasteland, but the city gave it time to succeed,” he writes.

Bram Way is now “a hub of activity at all hours in all types of weather. Teens, the elderly, parents with small kids, business and city officials all congregate in a public space like this,” he adds.

The same patience needs to be employed in Newton Centre, notes Tanowitz. He’s urging the council to reject the repeal and give the plaza “time to succeed.”

“Local restaurants appreciate increased foot traffic, and these types of spaces contribute to the vitality of an area.”

Tuesday grab bag

• Here’s an idea: Pub owners and haircutters in Britain are employing a new strategy to push back against a tax hike on their businesses. They’re refusing to pour a pint or provide a trim to any lawmaker who supports it.
  
  
• The League of Women Voters Newton is criticizing Ward 2 Councilor David Micley for not disclosing that there was a substantial likelihood that he’d be moving outside the ward after November’s municipal election. “While Councilor Micley has legally satisfied the requirements to serve as Ward 2 Councilor during this term, his actions flaunt the value of transparency,” the League wrote.
  
  
• In addition to his viral visit to Gianni’s in Needham this month, Barstool Sports’ David Portnoy also visited Newton Center Town Pizza (only without guest tester Ann Michael Maye).
  
  
• Also in Newton Center, Kaye Masterson at Johnny’s Luncheonette introduces their Larry David sandwich and a fun fact about her “Seinfeld” connection.
  
  
• Comina, the longtime Wellesley Square home decor shop is closing this month after more than 32 years in town. Comina’s Concord store will remain open. (Swellesley Report)
  
  
• Truly’s in Wellesley is hosting an open house Saturday (Jan. 24) from noon – 5 p.m. to showcase its new meeting and events space.
  
  
• Lucia Dolan at Fig City News explores the Laredo administration’s economic development priorities.
  
  
• The MBTA wants to hear from people who don’t ride the bus, and is offering a chance at $100 gift card for your time. If you’re 18+, live within a 10-minute walk of a bus stop, and don’t regularly use the bus, you may be eligible to join a 75-minute virtual focus group. details
  
  
• Wellesley serial entrepreneur  Timothy Noyes Driver, founder of Retirementjobs.com and its affiliate, Mature Caregivers and the Waltham nonprofit Age Friendly Ventures, recently passed away at age 59. (Swellesley Report)
  
  
• Newton for Everyone hosts a community movie night on Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Scandinavian Living Center, featuring a film by journalist Justine Underhill that explores whether luxury housing helps or worsens the housing crisis. Register
  
  
• Former Celtics guard Jrue Holiday has sold his Newton home. (Boston.com) 
  
  
• Did you know that Winslow Homer spent much of his adult life in Newton? I didn’t, until I read Greta Gaffin’s Newton Beacon article.

Vacant Needham building, finally to become useful

Finally, thanks to MBTA Communities, a blocks-long property in Needham Heights that’s been sitting dormant since 2018 will soon become someone’s home.

Make that 189 homes,

Greystar, a South Carolina–based developer, just began pre-construction on the apartment project at 100–110 West St., adjacent to the commuter rail station and across from Trader Joe’s and several local restaurants.

Greystar acquired the site for $40 million from real estate investment trust Welltower, which bought the property for $14 million in 2002, according to Peter O’Neil of the Needham Observer.

MBTA Communities eliminated the need for a special permit, replacing years of delay with a streamlined site plan review approved in just weeks last fall.

The project will deliver 30 studios, 84 one-bedroom units, 58 two-bedroom units, and 17 three-bedroom units, including 24 affordable units.

And that’s a whole lot better than an empty building.

That’s what you need to know for today — Barack Obama became the nation’s first Black president on this day in 2009 — unless you need to know why the next time you get this newsletter, you should read it standing on one leg.

Max Woolf will be back here on Friday.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

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