Business

Charles River Chamber Panel Looked at How Watertown Became a Life Science Hub

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A panel of speakers discussed the life science industry in Watertown at an event hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber. From left, City Manager George Proakis, Boylston Properties President Mark Deschenes, CEO of Labshares Phillip Borden, and C4 Chief People Officer Kelly Schick. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Eleven years ago, 25 life science companies had facilities in Watertown. Today, more than four times that many companies are located in the City, making it one of Massachusetts’ life science hubs. On March 10, the Charles River Regional Chamber’s life science panel, “Watertown’s Life Science Future,” looked at how the City became one of the hottest centers for biotechs, and what’s next.

Around Town

Life Science Building Could Potentially Go on Part of Home Depot Parking Lot

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A rendering of 300 Forge, a life science building that could go on part of the Home Depot Parking lot. (Courtesy of Boylston Properties)

A six-story life science building which would to be built on part of the parking lot behind the Home Depot in Watertown is in the planning stages. Boylston Properties, the developers of Arsenal Yards, submitted pre-application plans to the City of Watertown showing a six-story building with five levels of life science space and one story of parking. Plans were submitted to the Planning Department on Sept. 5.

Around Town

Developers of Life Science Projects Make Case to Ease the Impact of Linkage Fees

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Elkus Manfredi ArchitectsA view from Water Street of the life sciences building being built by Boston Development Group at 66 Galen St. Developers working on life science projects in Watertown say the proposed linkage fees, being considered by the City Council, could put the City at a disadvantage compared to communities not charging the fees, and it comes at a bad time. They propose some changes to how they pay the $11.12 per square foot, which has been earmarked to create affordable housing. At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 11, Councilors will discuss and are scheduled to vote on the linkage fee rules. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Watertown has already received approval from the State Legislature and Gov. Charlie Baker to charge up to $18 in linkage fees.

Alexandria Real Estate

Roadwork on Mt. Auburn & Arsenal Streets Could Overlap

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Two of Watertown’s major roadways in the eastern part of town are scheduled to be undergoing roadwork at the same time. On Aug. 9, the City Council approved funds to replace water mains on Mt. Auburn Street, and also accepted easements provided by properties on Arsenal Street to allow for improvements along the sidewalks. Some of the work will occur simultaneously, which concerned some Councilors, including Tony Palomba.

Around Town

LETTER: ‘Tis the Season to Thank the City of Watertown

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Dear Editor,

It’s our ninth Thanksgiving in Watertown since we purchased the Arsenal Mall back in August 2013. And, ‘tis the season to reiterate again and again our thanks to Watertown as we approach completion of the base-building construction at Arsenal Yards. (Yes, the end of construction is near…)

When we bought the Mall, frankly, we had much smaller plans to revitalize the property. But as conversations occurred with the many smart people that make up this town, the “Arsenal Project” plans expanded into a more attractive, more comprehensive, and much more special project: Arsenal Yards. So, we thank you, to the many City Officials and Residents for the many, many conversations, ideas, input and meetings (lots of meetings) in the early years.

Business

Construction Underway on 9-Story Biotech Building at Arsenal Yards

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A rendering of what the nine-story 100 Forge building at Arsenal Yards will look like. Developers are creating 165,000 sq. ft. of space for biotech companies. The following announcement was provided by Boylston Properties:

Boylston Properties, a Boston-based developer of mixed-use destinations, and institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management, announced a joint venture agreement to proceed with plans to construct 100 Forge, a nine-story 165,600-square-foot lab building at Arsenal Yards in Watertown.

Around Town

Community Meetings Planned on Proposal for Former Miller’s Ale House Site

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An illustration of the proposed One Arsenal Marketplace life sciences development. The building at 617 Arsenal St. used to be home to Miller’s Ale House. The developers of the building where Miller’s Ale House was located have scheduled two community meetings to go over a proposal for a new building, which calls for creating space for life science companies. The proposal calls for adding a third floor and a penthouse on top of the existing structure at 617 Arsenal St., near the intersection with Greenough Boulevard.

Development

LETTER: Boylston Properties Responds to End of Agreement with Town Over Arsenal Park

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A view of the planned renovation of Arsenal Park. The following letter is in response to the Sept. 11, 2019 story “Partnership Between Town, Arsenal Yards to Renovate Town Park Over Before it Began”

Editor,

I want to clear up the facts of the state of our partnership with the Town on the Arsenal Park renovation, and to also put into context the recent exchange between the Town and Boylston Properties that you detailed in your piece. Mark Reich has been a great contributor to our early progress in this hoped for partnership, but his letter to the Town was a one-sided summary of that process. As you know, we firmly believe that Arsenal Yards will be of great benefit to Watertown.