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Good morning,

As if the economy hasn't taken enough hits from Washington, two deadlines this Friday — one on TPS, one on tariffs — could further hurt our businesses, workers and the broader region.

Here’s how:

The end of Haitian TPS

Barring a court delay – or action by the U.S. Senate – about 330,000 Haitians in the US will lose their legal status following a US Supreme Court decision that allows the Trump administration to end the Temporary Protected Status program on Friday  (July 24).

There are an estimated 45,000 TPS holders in Massachusetts, the largest share of them Haitian.  Many have lived here legally since Haiti's 2010 earthquake, filling hard-to-staff jobs in nursing, serving as home health aides and working in construction and hospitality. They pay taxes. They hold Social Security numbers. They have built lives here. They are our neighbors and friends.

The MA Office of Refugees and Immigrants has a free virtual legal help desk for all TPS holders. Pathway for Immigrant Workers is providing free consultations to any employers who want to discuss next steps. Additional resources here.

More tariff turmoil

Right after the Supreme Court struck down the administration's blanket tariffs in February, the White House imposed a 10% global tariff under a different law that only allows tariffs for 150 days.

The 150-day window closes Friday.

The administration always vowed to replace it with something more permanent. Yesterday, the president announced 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods. Last week, it was 25% on Brazil. More targeted tariffs are anticipated.

We already know what that means: After Liberation Day, prices on many products spiked. Worse, no one knew from day to day what goods would cost, as the administration kept changing the levies through shifting negotiations.

Higher cost is one thing. Not knowing the cost is worse. Businesses that can't predict costs don't just raise prices — they freeze hiring and investment. And they're doing it right as holiday orders go out the door.

Thoughts? I’m always interested in hearing from you

MBTA Communities is delivering in surprising ways

When Newton approved its MBTA Communities zoning in 2023, many assumed it would mostly pave the way for market-rate apartment buildings.

Instead, some of the biggest proposals under the new zoning have been 100% affordable.

We previously highlighted Beacon Communities' proposal for 56 affordable homes at 793 Washington St. in Newtonville, a block previously acquired by Mark Development.

Now, there are two additional fully affordable developments:

• Beacon is proposing 72 affordable homes (rendering above), on the former Santander Bank site, while preserving the historic bank building. Mark Development also owned this site and had previously won approval for a similarly sized market-rate project there. Beacon presents to the Historic Commission in September.
  
  
• Newton-based developer ARX Urban has proposed 35 affordable homes above ground-floor commercial space on the site of a gas station in Newton Highlands.

… But then there’s Brookside Avenue

On the other hand, here's an example of what can go wrong when even a small housing proposal needs approval the old-fashioned way: A Newton City Council special permit.

Look at the rendering above. Looks like a beautiful single-family home, right?

It's not.

It's beautiful, but it’s actually four attached single-family homes that would replace two detached single-family homes on Brookside Ave. in Newtonville.

The project has been before the city since last October. It’s gone through several site plan and design changes and faced plenty of neighborhood angst and compromises.

One abutter said the project offered no benefit to the neighborhood, only to "some external people who are not Newton residents."

As in: we got here first, and we’re the only ones who should be able to enjoy all the awesome things Newton has to offer.  

The revised plan reportedly won over some early opponents. And Land Use Committee Chair Andrea Kelley seemed to be expecting her colleagues to approve it last week.

Instead, City Councilor Randy Block used a parliamentary move to delay a decision for at least another month, according to the Newton Beacon.

Block argued his colleagues shouldn't weigh whether four units replacing two advances housing or climate goals. Under special permit rules, he said, the consideration must only be "whether the plan will adversely affect the neighborhood."

As in: only those who got there first should be able to enjoy all the awesome things Newton has to offer

…This one has a somewhat happier ending

Meanwhile, at the same meeting, the Newton City Council unanimously approved a 14-townhome development in Newton Upper Falls.

Huzzah! Right?

Except the project was only approved after two homes—including one affordable unit—were cut in response to neighborhood and, of course, council pushback. 

Tuesday grab bag

• Thirty years after a fully clothed Gov. Bill Weld dove into what was then a very dirty Charles River (and just after last week’s annual City Splash) Charles River Conservancy executive director Laura Jasinski says the fight to make the Charles swimmable is closer than ever. (CommonWealth Beacon).
  
  
• Turns out the surprise closing of the family-owned Golden Temple in Brookline after 65 years in business shouldn’t have been surprising.  Brookline.News’ Sam Mintz explains the relationship between four siblings was both hot and sour.
  
  
• The Rotary Club of Needham’s annual 4-day carnival runs Thursday though Sunday (July 23-26) on the Highland Avenue side of Needham High School.
  
  
• Happy 5th birthday to (chamber member) Ty Burr’s Watchlist.
  
  
• The Herald published a nice feature on Mike “Sarge” Riley, a Needham High grad and voice of “Voice of Gillette Stadium” who realized his dream: a front-row seat as the globe unites under the banner of the World Cup.
  
  
• The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities is recognizing employers that are advancing disability inclusion in the workplace. They are accepting self-nominations. Honorees will be recognized at the State House on Oct. 7.
  
  
• Former M&T Bank president Grace Lee had taken a new role as chief of staff to M&T’s Chairman and CEO René Jones. (Banker & Tradesman)
  
  
• The early bird deadline for the Charles River Regional Chamber’s annual Needham Night ends on Friday.
  
  
• The Fessenden School in Newton received an $11.7 million tax-exempt bond from MassDevelopment. To build a new 19,700 SF dining center to replace a 100-year-old facility. (BBJ)
  
  
• Indoor tennis club Court 16, which opened a 15,000-square-foot location on Needham Street in Newton in March, is opening a second location at Allston Yards. (BBJ)
  
  
• Learn about the rise and fall of industry along the Charles River in Newton Upper Falls at a Historic Newton-led walking tour Aug 6, 6 p.m.  Registration.
  
  
• Turns out it’s okay to meet five people a day for coffee.

Brookline mulls scaling back dedicated bus lane

A dedicated bus line heading west along Route 9/Boylston Street into Brookline Village from the Longwood Medical Area is speeding up buses while only having limited impacts on other drivers, according to the MBTA.

But the dedicated lane heading eastbound towards Boston has faced a “lot of issues with driver compliance ” and could be removed or scaled back, reports Brookline.news.

Brookline’s Select Board gets to make the final decision.

Watertown businesses face higher tax bills

Nonresidential property owners in Watertown can expect to pay a larger share of property taxes, due to a home rule petition making its way across Beacon Hill.

The City Council requested the change, which the House approved earlier this month and the Senate cleared it yesterday.

It would give Watertown more flexibility to shift property taxes from homeowners to commercial property owners, although no property class could be required to pay more than 175% of what it would under a single, uniform tax rate.

That’s great news for Watertown homeowners—less so for commercial property owners and businesses.

Priced out: A housing town hall for young professionals

One last thing: We're hosting a town hall for young professionals (ages 21-40) on Aug. 5 at noon on the housing crisis — why it's gotten so unaffordable, what can be done about it and how we make homeownership attainable for the next generation.

Our special guest is Congressman Jake Auchincloss.

Attendees will also hear from Andrew Mikula, a leading housing policy researcher and leader of the Legalize Starter Homes ballot initiative. He'll explain how the proposal could make it easier to build smaller, more affordable homes in suburban communities — and what that could mean for first-time buyers.

Whether you're a young professional yourself or have employees, clients or colleagues who'd benefit, please register or pass this invitation along.

Register here.

That’s what you need to know for today — the anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s 1969 walk on the moon  — unless you need to know why it may not be a good idea to buy a house sight unseen.

Max Woolf will be here on Friday.  Keep it up, Red Sox!

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

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Max Woolf contributed to today’s newsletter.