Four hard truths about housing

Massachusetts doesn’t build nearly enough new housing, and when it does, it builds the wrong kind of housing. Zoning puritanism drives up the cost of housing, and it forces residents to abandon the state. These are familiar complaints. But a new report from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council puts fresh data on just how bad the state’s housing problem is — and how much work it will take to build a competitive housing market in Greater Boston. MAPC argues that the region will need to construct 435,000 new homes by 2040, most of them multi-family units (condominiums, apartments, townhomes). Continue reading >>>

John Fish a developer with a long vision

It’s safe to say John Fish already has a lot on his plate, running Suffolk Construction Co. and sitting on a long list of boards that direct Massachusetts business groups and nonprofits. But that list is likely to grow a little longer soon. The executive committee of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce board is meeting Tuesday morning, and I’ll bet you dollars to doughnuts it recommends Fish to succeed Hill Holliday chief executive Karen Kaplan as the chamber’s next chairman in the spring. Fish owns a very big construction business that generates about $2 billion a year in revenue. He Continue reading >>>

Winter storm could bring 8-12 inches of snow to Greater Boston area

Tonight: A slight chance of snow before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 15. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tuesday: A chance of snow, mainly after 1pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 18. North wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Tuesday night: Snow likely before 1am, then snow between 1a.m. and 2 a.m., then snow likely with areas of blowing snow after 2 a.m. Low around 10. Wind chill values as low as -4. Blustery, with a north wind 14 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of Continue reading >>>

Concert news: Dave Matthews Band slates shows for Hartford and Greater …

Dave Matthews AP file photo  One of the more interesting shows of the weekend might be the one taking place at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods on Friday night as former heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson brings his one-man show to the casino. Tickets are priced between $55 and $30 and available through the Foxwoods Box Office at (866) 646-0609 and online at foxwoods.com. The Dave Matthews Band will perform at the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford on July 11-12. Tickets for the concerts go on sale Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. through livenation.com. The band is also scheduled to play the Xfinity Center on Mansfield, Continue reading >>>

Real estate still tragically unequal

OK, discrimination now is more subtle than the bad old days, when landlords and real estate agents were more likely to be open about their bigotry. Instead, some landlords and real estate agents are more likely now to quietly give minority renters and buyers a bum steer, showing them fewer listings than they would if they were white, the Banner notes, citing past national surveys by federal housing officials. Minority home buyers also still face an uphill battle in the mortgage market as well.Blacks account for just 6 percent of all mortgage applications, even thought they make up more Continue reading >>>

Ex-Boston mayor to receive public service award

BOSTON (AP) — Former Boston Mayor Thomas Menino will be recognized By the Boston Bar Foundation for his 20 years of leadership with the 2014 Public Service Award.The award will be presented to Menino during the foundation's John Abigail Adams Benefit, Greater Boston's largest fundraiser for legal services. The majority of proceeds from the event fund direct grants to community organizations that provide help to people in need.More than 900 attorneys, members of the business community and other guests are expected to attend the Jan. 25 event at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. Continue reading >>>

Ex-Boston mayor to receive public service award from legal group for 20 years of …

BOSTON — Former Boston Mayor Thomas Menino will be recognized By the Boston Bar Foundation for his 20 years of leadership with the 2014 Public Service Award. The award will be presented to Menino during the foundation's John Abigail Adams Benefit, Greater Boston's largest fundraiser for legal services. The majority of proceeds from the event fund direct grants to community organizations that provide help to people in need. More than 900 attorneys, members of the business community and other guests are expected to attend the Jan. 25 event at Boston's Museum of Fine Continue reading >>>

Snow leaves hundreds without power briefly

Some residents of Boston and Cambridge lost power for more than an hour Saturday afternoon as wet, heavy snow fell across the region. About 280 NStar customers in Roslindale were without power until just after 5 p.m. after a car struck a utility pole this afternoon. The accident, an NStar spokesman said, is believed to have been weather-related. Another 93 NStar customers in Cambridge were without power after one transformer went down due to the wet snow, said Paul Fraser, an NStar spokesman. According to the National Weather Service, 2 inches of snow had fallen in Boston through midnight. Continue reading >>>

Hundreds lose power as wet snow falls

Some residents of Boston and Cambridge lost power for more than an hour Saturday afternoon as wet, heavy snow fell across the region. About 280 NStar customers in Roslindale were without power until just after 5 p.m. after a car struck a utility pole this afternoon. The accident, an NStar spokesman said, is believed to have been weather-related. Another 93 NStar customers in Cambridge were without power after one transformer went down due to the wet snow, said Paul Fraser, an NStar spokesman. According to the National Weather Service, 2 inches of snow had fallen in Boston through midnight. Other Continue reading >>>