Good morning,

Please give yourself a great big pat on the back.

Thanks to you, the Charles River Regional Chamber is now the 4th largest in Massachusetts (up from No. 5, last year), according to just-published Boston Business Journal rankings.

We’re deeply appreciative of the trust you put in us to advocate on behalf of your business, your nonprofit, and our region’s economic and cultural vitality.

Thank you.

(And if you’re not yet a member, go here.)

Needham Street project will still be pretty awesome

Greater Boston’s suburbs have not been immune from the decline in demand for office space.

As a result, Northland Investment Corp. is backing off plans to include nearly 200,000 SF of office space in its now-underway development on Needham Street in Newton.

The focus instead will be on housing, retail and restaurants.

Overall, the revised project will shrink by about 10 percent. The historic brick-and-beam Sacco Pette mill building would be transitioned from office to 100 residential units (and, wow, those should be outstanding units). Five small residential buildings will be eliminated. Two other buildings’ footprints would shrink.

Under the plan -- which must be approved by the Newton City Council – the 23-acre site would provide homes for 822 individuals or families (up from 800), including 144 affordable units.

And by now, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how vital housing is for our workforce and so many others.

Unchanged are plans for 100,000 SF of retail, a village green, a community splash park and bike paths, while Mass DOT is in the home stretch of a multi-million dollar project to make the Needham Street-Highland Ave. corridor safer and multi-modal.

Those worried about traffic will be happy to know that the changes are projected to reduce motor vehicle trips by 1,300 daily and eliminate about 22 percent of the planned parking spaces.  And while a proposed shuttle bus would be eliminated, the MBTA plans on boosting bus frequency along the corridor.

“It allows us to move forward right away on this and really be able to start delivering critically needed housing,”  Peter Standish, a senior VP at Northland told Jon Chesto at the Globe this week.  “At the same time, it allows us to reduce the traffic impact of the project, with the elimination of offices.”

Newton Beacon story here.

But, wait, here comes the stressful part

Northland’s Standish tells the Globe he expects the first residents would be able to start moving into apartments within 30 months after the Newton City Council approves the amended plans.

But I’d be pulling your leg if I didn’t say this city council makes me nervous.

Northland first presented the project in a community meeting in 2016.  It took three years – and scores of community meetings and public hearings — before the council approved its special permit in late 2019.

Then it was delayed again when opponents forced a referendum before 58% of voters overwhelmingly supported the project in 2020.

Had the wheels of government not moved so slowly, it’s reasonable to assume some folks would be living there by now.

But in her newsletter last night, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller wrote that there will be “several public hearings so questions and concerns can be raised.”

Several? Yikes.

Clearly, there was broad public support for the project the last time. Meanwhile, the urgent need and public support for housing keeps growing.

Northland has already invested $73 million in preparing the site and other infrastructure work.  Here’s hoping the council doesn’t do to this project what it did to Riverside.

Coming next month: Our first-ever Wellesley Night!

We’ll be hosting our first-ever Wellesley Night, presented by Needham Bank, on Sept. 25.

The event celebrates the outstanding individuals and businesses that make Wellesley wonderful.

We’ll announce the location (it’s a good one!) and ticket sales next week. But, for now, we’re looking for your nominations for our first-ever Wellesley Business Awards.

Friday grab bag

• Condolences to family, friends, coworkers and customers of Watertown resident Chris Thigpen proprietor of the Corner Café at Newton Corner.  Thigpen, 41, passed away last month, after battling and then a career of helping those with substance abuse.  His customers remember him as someone who cared about his workers and the products he served.
  
  
• The final version of the vision plan for Watertown Square, as approved by both the city council and planning board, is now available.  Highlights summarized here.
  
  
• Find out where the candidates competing for state rep seats in Newton and Needham stand on issues that matter to the business community.
  
  
• The Metropolitan Area Planning Council released an analysis of revenue-raising options to help fund the MBTA. The proposals include retail delivery charges, a parking sale tax, and rideshare fees. However, even if all three options were imposed, they would not raise enough funds to solve the MBTA’s looming fiscal cliff. (CommonWealth Beacon)
  
  
• The Watertown Arts Market returns tomorrow (Aug. 17) from noon to 5 p.m., at Filippello Park, 191 Grove Street, Watertown. Free.
  
  
• Wednesday Lunchtime Pop-Ups on the Patio return to The Allen Center in West Newton. Aug. 21 will feature Newton’s women-owned businesses.
  
  

Opening a business incubator just became easier in Newton

The Newton City Council has modified its zoning ordinances to allow business incubators, coworking and maker spaces, as well as amusement businesses, to operate by right in the city’s villages, reports the Newton Beacon

The changes have been in the works for most of the year with some disagreement among councilors surrounding parking requirements.

Needham receives bike lane, crosswalk grant

Needham has been awarded a $249,982 state grant to construct a new bicycle lane, lane diet, high-visibility crosswalks, and a pedestrian refuge island at Warren Street.

Additional enhancements include widening a sidewalk under the MBTA rail line, installing ADA-compliant curb ramps, a bicycle rack with repair station, and signage along Dedham Avenue from Lincoln Street to DeFazio Park beyond the rail bridge.  

• In addition, Newton received $217,800 and Watertown received $146,520 to fund the operational costs of the Bluebikes bike share system.  

All three awards are part of Mass DOT’s $6.5 million Shared Streets & Spaces program.

Trump, Harris, both agree and may both be wrong

Finally today, you may have heard both the Republican and Democratic nominees for president support eliminating federal income taxes on tips.

Good idea? Or is it even possible?  

Not according to this Associated Press report or Washington Post editorial (free link)

That’s what you need to know for today — Hawaiian Shirt Day — unless you need to know the best way to load a dishwasher.

In these final dog days of summer, your local restauranteur and retailer would truly appreciate your business right now.

And, thanks again, for making us No. 4.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688