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Wait until you see this place!

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Wait until you see this place!

We work hard to make sure our special events are, well, special.
 
Mostly, we do that by spotlighting unique locations in our communities, hoping attendees will say something along the lines of: “Wow. I never knew about this!”
 
We heard that a lot last summer, for example, when we held our summer Members Celebration event in the Italianate Garden at Elm Bank. And everyone who was there will recall our parties at the Saco-Pettee Mill Building or -- when it was brand new -- Tripadvisor.
 
Now we can’t wait to show you the Nathaniel Allen House in West Newton -- the site of our annual winter celebration on Feb. 8.
Built-in the late 1840s, the Greek Revival-style building was once a stop on the Underground Railroad and home to Nathaniel Topliff Allen, a prominent 19th-century educator, abolitionist, and philanthropist.
 
But over the decades the property fell into significant disrepair.
 
Recognizing that Newton was sorely under-resourced when it came to arts and culture facilities, the Newton Cultural Alliance purchased what was more or less a fixer-upper in 2012.
 
?With a lot of help from a lot of people, the nonprofit underwent the arduous process of raising $8 million for its historically sensitive restoration.
 
Today the Allen House is home to multiple cultural organizations, with spaces for performances, rehearsals, meetings, an art gallery, and outdoor events. There’s also a catering kitchen, a small art gallery, and a historically preserved bowling alley. 
 
But since the renovations (video here) were essentially completed just as the pandemic began, many folks have yet to see it.
 
Don't miss your chance on Feb. 8 as we celebrate the new year and this significant cultural achievement. (Our thanks to the Village Bank, which also played a big role in the project, for sponsoring our event.) Proceeds support the chamber’s advocacy and programming. 
 
 
...and here's something we won't be hosting
 
Our Allen House event is just one of many events our chamber organizes designed to help connect our community of business and nonprofit professionals.
 
For example, our new LGBTQIA+ networking group will hold its first event tomorrow (Thurs.) at the Biltmore Bar & Grille in Newton. The next Young Professionals Group Happy Hour is at Baramor on Feb. 15. And soon we'll be announcing a Coffee Connect at the brand new West Suburban YMCA branch at Wells Ave.
 
But, for the record, here’s one type of networking event you shouldn’t expect to see from us. 
 
Chamber urges Watertown to proceed cautiously on linkage
 
Watertown officials are currently drafting an ordinance that would levy a linkage fee on all new commercial developments to be used to support affordable housing.
 
The program could impose a fee of up to $18 per square foot, with an exemption on the first 30,000 SF, on nonresidential developments.
 
The chamber and our members in the Watertown development community support the city’s goal of creating more affordable housing through linkage fees.
 
?In fact, we believe addressing our housing crisis is both an economic and moral imperative.
 
But we recently sent a letter to Watertown’s City Council and Planning Board, urging the city to be thoughtful about implementing its linkage program given the serious economic headwinds -- including rising interest rates, material shortages, weakening demand for life science and office space, tech layoffs, a labor shortage in the building trades and a looming recession.
 
 
New building codes adopted in Watertown
 
Meanwhile. Watertown and Brookline have become the first communities to opt-in to the state’s new Specialized Stretch Code, with more of our communities (including Wellesley) expected to follow.
 
Among other things, the code requires developers building with gas or oil to shell out for additional electrical wiring, so the building can go fully electric in the future and parking lots are ready for EV chargers.
 
The code applies only to new construction. The Globe’s Sabrina Shankman has more.
 
 
Art gallery closing sparks call for more city resources
 
After 19 years in business, the charming art gift gallery Artitudes in West Newton is closing.
 
Owners Valerie and Gregg Miller tell Lauren Berman of All Over Newton a decrease in foot traffic due to the decline in West Newton Cinema movie-goers, parking and traffic problems and the upcoming prolonged construction at the former Santander bank property, were all factors in their decision.
 
“Artitudes’ closing is a harsh reminder of the importance of shopping local," Berman wrote on Facebook.
 
"It’s also a reminder to the city of Newton to work with our small businesses when making decisions that affect their livelihoods. Nothing happens in a vacuum, and right now, the city’s small businesses are confronting a host of challenges to keep their lights on and doors open.”
 
 
Yet more need to knows
 
  • The Newton Fair Housing Committee will hold a virtual training on Fair Housing for Real Estate Professionals, presented by:Kelly F. Vieira, Director of Investigations & Outreach, Housing Discrimination Testing Program at Suffolk University Law School tomorrow (Jan. 19) 8:30 a.m. Register.
 
  • Mass Save’s commercial incentives have been revamped to provide extensive financial support for the creation of Net Zero/Low Energy buildings
 
  • Learn how to take advantage of free tax preparation across Massachusetts, as well as other critical services at a webinar, Jan. 24 at noon, presented by the Office of Economic Empowerment, a department within the Office of the Treasurer and Receiver General of Massachusetts. Register
 
  • The Newton Fire Department is the second in the nation to use a special device that can immobilize an electric vehicle after a crash. The "Emergency-plug" device essentially tricks the EV into thinking it is in park mode, rather than cutting the power entirely. (WBUR)
 
  • This is your last chance to tell Needham officials how you feel about parking in Needham Center and Needham Heights. Take both surveys here before tomorrow.
 
 
 
Wellesley Office Park considered for more housing
The Nines Welleseley
Residents of the new Nines housing complex at the corner of Route 9 and I-95 in Wellesley could be getting some neighbors if a proposal that will go before Town Meeting is approved.
 
The zoning bylaw would allow up to 250 additional multi-family housing units to be built as a 40R in the Wellesley Office Park site instead of a hotel as the zoning currently allows, according to the Swellesley Report.
 
That would bring the total number of units that could be developed on the John Hancock-owned property along the Charles River to 850.
 
Hancock is looking to re-market the site as Wellesley Park (without the “Office” in the middle), although some office spaces may remain at the 26-acre, 8-building William Street property.
 
Gen Z to bosses: Give me flexibility but I’ll probably see you at the office 
 
They want to come to the office. 
 
Just don’t want you to force them to do so.
 
That seems to be the conclusion of several surveys of Gen Z workers, reports David Pang for the Business Journals.
 
An ADP Research Institute study found 71% of employees between 18 to 24 would consider looking for another job if an employer insisted on returning to the workplace full-time.
 
“I wouldn’t want to work in a job where you have to be in the office every day, or if I was not going to come to the office, they would kind of force you to take PTO,” one Gen Z employee said.
 
Be, she added that she often forgets to use her remote days because she finds the camaraderie between herself and her coworkers enjoyable and the resources provided in her workspace make her more productive and efficient.
 
Hybrid workers say they save about $20 daily working from home, while 75% say having their company pay for commuting costs would make them feel more inclined to go to the office.
 
He's got the BS, but it's not in business or science
 
George Santos was appointed yesterday to sit on the House Small Business and Science, Space, and Technology Committees. If this was a movie you wouldn't believe it.
 
 
 
That’s your Need to Knows for today, unless you need to know where you can buy some authentic Washington DC red tape.
 
Be back Friday.
 
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
617.244.1688
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