boston

BRA woos City Council to extend development power

BRA woos City Council to extend development power

NBP Staff

BOSTON – The Boston Redevelopment Authority's bid to retain for 10 more years the power to reshape entire neighborhoods took center stage at a four-hour City Council hearing Thursday. But the council stopped short of delivering the favorable vote sought be the agency to extend the life of its urban renewal tool set.

While four of the 13 councilors rejected a decade-long extension, two of the four, including President Michelle Wu, suggested a much shorter timeframe, saying that the agency could use it to recast the program, according to the Boston Globe. It said two councilors supported giving the agency another 10 years to wield the power of designating blighted areas, using eminent domain for land-taking, and offering tax breaks to spur development.

Housing protections needed, low-income residents say
Massachusetts legislature

Housing protections needed, low-income residents say

Evan Lips

BOSTON – For Holly Marcus, the fear of having to leave her North End neighborhood after nearly 40 years is beginning to feel real.

Marcus was one of dozens of Massachusetts residents who showed up at the State House on Tuesday morning to testify for a proposal that would prevent landlords from acting on expiring federal restrictions that currently shelter subsidized apartments from the forces of supply and demand.

Read More