Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- The Boston Red Sox have joined neighborhood groups in lining up against a 29-story condo tower that has been proposed two blocks from Fenway Park. “We have strong concerns that this proposed project would create an unacceptably tall and impactful 29-story building in very close proximity to Fenway Park, and which might have significant negative impacts on the surrounding neighborhood as well as our historic ballpark itself,” wrote David Friedman, the team’s senior vice president for legal and government affairs.

BOSTON --- Amid concerns that Millenium Partners's planned skyscraper will cast shadows over Boston Common in violation of state law, the Walsh Administration has announced that much of the proceeds from sale of the Winthrop Square parking garage site will be for improvements to Boston Common, Franklin Park, and other green space and housing projects around Boston.

BOSTON --- With a renewed focus on expanding and developing historically underserved areas of Boston while also identifying zones for increased commercial growth, the mayor’s administration last week rolled out a Imagine Boston 2030 draft report that city officials say reflected the input of 12,000 Boston residents. The initiative is meant to help guide Boston during a period of rapid population growth which could reach 800,000 residents by 2050.

QUINCY --- The City Council voted 6-2 on Monday, Nov. 21 to approve Mayor Thomas Koch's plan to loosen zoning rules at the North Quincy MBTA station, setting the stage for a mixed-use development by the Bozzuto Group and Atlantic Development to build 600 apartments and 50,000 square feet of retail space. Included in the vote was a requirement to pay prevailing wage for the project, which is expected to be privately financed but built on public MBTA land.

SPENCER --- Concerned about the number of police calls that are being made to two of its properties, the Spencer Board of Selectmen issued a housing license to the South Middlesex Opportunity Council with the requirement that a SMOC representative meet quarterly with local police. The town stated they are sympathetic with SMOC's mission of helping the low-income - some with mental health or substance abuse issues - but want to monitor police activity. “You’re tying up my Police Department an awful lot of time,” Selectman Gary Woodbury said. “I don’t want you to think we’re not compassionate ... But we need a plan to make this start working better.”

FALMOUTH — A Westford development company has filed its zoning application for a 104-unit housing development on Main Street, the start of what promises to be a contentious process pitting the town's need for affordable housing against the wishes of neighbors and selectmen.