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End of an era in Watertown

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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.
 
The healthcare software company is moving to an office building being vacated by musical pioneer Bose Corp. There was no reporting on what might replace Athenahealth at Arsenal on the Charles but comes at a time when the "office market [is] suddenly awash in vacant office space" writes Clements.
 
Athenahealth has been through multiple changes in ownership and leadership since moving its global HQ to Watertown in 2005.
 
Until 2019, Athenahealth owned its 29-acre Arsenal Street campus. The company sold the 11-building complex for $525.5 million to Alexandria Real Estate Equities, saying it wanted to focus more on its healthcare products, the Globe reported.
 
Segert said their downsized Brighton space “can keep pace with the changing nature of work and evolve with the needs of our workforce and business.”
 
As of November, Athenahealth had about 1,500 employees in Greater Boston and about 6,500 globally. The company announced a 3 percent layoff and that it was exploring a move in February.
 
 
Finally: An end to Needham’s news desert
 
One year ago next month, Gannett officially pulled the plug on the 90-year-old Needham Times newspaper.
 
But it’s really been years -- with far too many unreported stories -- since the town has had any consistent local news reporting beyond the coverage from the Needham Channel.
 
(Yes, there’s also the Needham Hometown Weekly but the free shopper doesn’t cover actual news.)
 
That’s finally about to change. 
 
A group of local residents – Peter O’Neil, Jeanne Hopkins and Frederica Lalonde -- have announced plans to create The Needham Observer, a non-profit, free, independent online news service focused solely on Needham. 
 
The launch may still be a few weeks away (which would be too bad with Town Meeting about to start) but you can sign up for the Observer’s free weekly newsletter here.
 
In other local news news, Bruce Henderson has been named editor of Newton's community news hub Fig City News.
 
Newton considers future of area along California Street
California Street Manufacturing District
The City of Newton has received a grant to explore ways to enhance the economic vitality of the industrial area along California Street and the Charles River.
  
The California Street Manufacturing District (map here) is located in close proximity to booming life science lab development in Watertown and just down the road from the area along Chapel and Bridge Streets that’s been a hub to many small life science, tech and other companies.
 
Share your thoughts on how this neighborhood should evolve in coming decades at a meeting Thursday (April 27) at 7 :30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 440.
 
 
Santander closing more local branches
 
Santander Bank is closing 16 branches in Massachusetts including in Chestnut Hill, Needham and Weston, the BBJ reports.
 
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the bank has closed 36 branches in the state, including leaving West Newton in 2021.
 
More need to knows
 
 
  • The Watertown City Council will consider a citizen's petition tonight (Tues.) to reduce the size allowed for new buildings going up in the area around Watertown Square. (Watertown News)
 
  • The West Suburban YMCA is participating in Five Days of Action through Friday (April 28) as part of a week-long effort to raise awareness and inspire adults to protect children from sexual abuse.
 
 
  • Waltham's Mighty Squirrel Brewery will once again operate a beer garden at Watertown's Arsenal Yards this summer and is also opening a location near Fenway Park (BBJ)
 
  • How do you get around Newton? The city has created a web page that includes an interactive map to provide input on the challenges of walking, biking, transit, and getting around in general. Deadline May 8.
 
 
Help shape Newton’s energy policies
 
The chamber has an opportunity to appoint someone from the business community to sit on the Newton Citizens Commission on Energy.
 
This volunteer commission follows trends, analyzes energy data, and makes recommendations to the city on energy policies and actions. Recently that included providing input on the city’s Climate Action Plan, BERDO, and other examples listed here.
 
Contact me if you want to learn more.
 
Needham Town Common reopen at last
Needham Town Common
Finally this morning, after a lengthy renovation, the major renovation of Needham’s Town Common is completed and reopened this past weekend.
 
The project includes new asphalt paving and line striping on Garrity Way, rope lights between the new shade structures, swing benches under the new shade structures, a 30x30 foot shade tent at the circular terrace, additional plantings and trees and solar trash compactors made by Needham’s own Big Belly.  
 
?
 
That’s your need to knows for today, unless you need to know what’s with the lack of forsythia blooms this spring?
 
Be back Friday!
 
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
617.244.1688
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