Coming to Route 9 next summer: Aggravation
Coming to Route 9 next summer: Aggravation
I was this many years old when I learned that buttload is an actual unit of measurement.
And our first item today is going to create a buttload of aggravation.
MassDOT says it will need two years of detours along a heavily traveled stretch of Boylston Street (Route 9) to replace a deteriorating 100-plus years-old MBTA bridge.
The bridge in need of replacement crosses Route 9 just west of the Centre Street exit. During construction, vehicle traffic will run both ways in a single lane while the other side of the state highway will be closed.
Each side of the road work would take one construction season, likely summer 2025 (eastbound) and 2026 (westbound), according to Newton City Councilor Bill Humphrey.
Temporary pedestrian bridges will maintain sidewalk access and D Line service will not be disrupted, Humphrey added.
About 50,000 vehicles travel the route daily, which is a buttload of drivers.
Watertown buses earn ‘Pokey and Schleppie' awards
Watertown buses earn ‘Pokey and Schleppie' awards
|  |
 |  |
The No. 57 bus -- which connects Watertown Yard and Newton Corner with Kenmore Square -- has the dubious distinction of being the 5th slowest and bunched route in the MBTA system, according to an analysis by TransitMatters.
Just behind in 9th place in the advocacy group’s first annual Pokey/Schleppie Awards was the No. 70 bus -- which travels through Watertown between Cambridge and Waltham.
The report said Watertown’s plan to reconfigure streets and the right of ways as part of the Watertown Square Area Plan could ultimately benefit the No. 70. So would creating priority bus lanes along Arsenal Street.
This development is worth your attention
The report said Watertown’s plan to reconfigure streets and the right of ways as part of the Watertown Square Area Plan could ultimately benefit the No. 70. So would creating priority bus lanes along Arsenal Street.
This development is worth your attention
|  |
 |  |
At a time when so many employers are struggling to hire and retain workers, employers should be paying special attention to a proposed housing project at 78 Crafts Street in Newtonville.
The development would replace a 4.76 acre ramshackle site (see what it looks like today) with 307-units of needed apartments, within walking distance of the MBTA Commuter rail, Whole Foods, shops, restaurants and many jobs.
The development would replace a 4.76 acre ramshackle site (see what it looks like today) with 307-units of needed apartments, within walking distance of the MBTA Commuter rail, Whole Foods, shops, restaurants and many jobs.
78 Crafts Street would also provide 62 homes for individuals or families at 50% of the AMI, something that’s both all too rare and important for many employees and future employees.
Boylston Properties is looking to develop the project under the state’s 40B affordable housing law. The next public hearing is tomorrow (Weds) at 7 p.m.
The chamber is hosting a meeting for employers to learn about the project, next Weds. May 1 at 9 a.m. RSVP.
|  |
 |  |
This soon-to-close business was just minding its business
A CBD shop that’s been operating in Needham Center since 2019 to seemingly no complaints has been told it must stop selling product lines it has sold for four-and-a-half years.
A CBD shop that’s been operating in Needham Center since 2019 to seemingly no complaints has been told it must stop selling product lines it has sold for four-and-a-half years.
The FDA and a least two state agencies recently notified the Needham Board of Health that Your CBD Store has been selling products that should not be allowed based on FDA guidelines and a state directive, reports Peter O’Neil at the Needham Oberver.
Owner Anna Schickel says the oils, water solubles and gel capsules in question account for 85% of her sales and that she will be unable to stay in business if she's required to remove them.
Needham's Board of Health originally ordered Schickel to stop selling the products by April 16 but has granted an extension until its May 10 meeting.
Today’s grab bag
Today’s grab bag
- Wondering if it will be worth your time to attend our May 14 event with state Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt? Read this. Then RSVP.
- Watertown Community Foundation's 10th annual Watertown Helps Out starts in May. The month-long initiative activates volunteers to give back to make the city a nice place to live and work. Check out the calendar of projects, such as cleaning, trash pick-up, gardening.
- The Rox Diner is returning to Newton, moving into the space on Hartford Street in Newton Highlands that had been home to The Dining Car. There had been a Rox Cafe across the street in Newton Highlands which closed in 2014, while the Rox Diner in Newtonville closed in 2020. (Boston Restaurant Talk.)
- Look for Shake Shack to open in May at the former GAP store location in Wellesley Square. (Swellesley Report)
- Alex Jablon has tossed his hat into the Sept. 3 Democratic primary for the 11th Middlesex District state representative seat, currently held by Rep. Kay Khan who is retiring. Former City Councilor Amy Sangiolo is also running. (Fig City News)
- Grammy nominee and Folk/Americana artist Sofia Talvik is performing at the Scandinavian Cultural Center in West Newton on Thurs. (April 25). Tickets.
- Much of Arsenal Park in Watertown will be closed for the next year as part of the second phase of upgrades of park facilities and new walkways.
- MassDOT will hold a virtual public information meeting Thurs. (April 25), 6 p.m. on preliminary work to replace and rehabilitate nine bridges at the I-90/I95 interchange in Newton and Weston. RSVP
- The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a charity that helps those in need in Newton and the surrounding communities, will be holding a clothing drive Sunday (April 28) from 9 a.m. to noon and 4 – 6 p.m. The truck will be located in the parking lot of Our Lady Help of Christians Church (573 Washington Street, with the lot entrance along Adams Street). Questions.
Charles River Y hopes event will local shopping
|  |
 |  |
The Charles River YMCA is urging the hundreds of families expected at this Saturday's (April 27) big Healthy Kids Day and the start of soccer season to head into Needham Center to shop and dine local.
“Small businesses donate 250% more than large businesses to local nonprofits and community causes, including local charities, youth organizations, local first responders, local service groups, and more,” says Paula Jacobson, the Y’s executive director.
In conjunction with Healthy Kids Day, some downtown merchants will be holding sidewalk sales.
Watertown biotech gets $54M to develop vaccines
“Small businesses donate 250% more than large businesses to local nonprofits and community causes, including local charities, youth organizations, local first responders, local service groups, and more,” says Paula Jacobson, the Y’s executive director.
In conjunction with Healthy Kids Day, some downtown merchants will be holding sidewalk sales.
Watertown biotech gets $54M to develop vaccines
A new Watertown startup "with veteran biotech leaders and scientists behind the wheel" has emerged with $54 million in funding, reports Hannah Green at the BBJ.
Corner Therapeutics launched last week to develop vaccines that provide lifelong protection from cancer and infectious diseases.
“This funding will put rocket boosters under Corner’s pioneering work to achieve the holy grail of treatments: vaccines that provide lifelong protection from a virtually unlimited range of the most prevalent and lethal diseases," said Corner CEO Steven M. Altschuler, said in a statement.
The company is headquartered at 300 North Beacon Street at the Arsenal on the Charles complex.
Firefighter boot nets $100K donation
Firefighter boot nets $100K donation
After completing his first marathon last week businessman and philanthropist Rob Hale announced that he and his wife Karen were donating $26.2 million to more than 70 local charities.
The recipients included several organizations along the marathon route, including a donation to the Newton Fire Department.
“During training runs on the course, Hale noticed that the firefighters would put out food and drinks [outside of Station 2] for the runners, at the base of the first of the Commonwealth Avenue hills,” reports the Globe’s Jon Chesto
“They left out a boot to collect donations, but most marathoners aren’t carrying cash on their long runs.
"The Hales gave the fire department $100,000 — more than enough to fill that boot.”
“We’ll look forward to putting it to good use,” a city spokesperson said.
(By the way, the Globe’s Chesto knows Station 2 and the marathon route well: He’s an Auburndale resident and runner, finishing this year in 3:03:34.)
That’s what you need to know for today -- Shakespeare's birthday -- unless you want to see a stunning video of baby penguins jumping off a cliff (My mom would not approve.)
Happy Passover.
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President & CEO
617.244.1688
Keep up with news from our members here.
Powered By GrowthZone