Recent content by BeansTheCat

Project is getting a 121B tax abatement to accelerate construction: https://www.dotnews.com/2026/09/14/boston-explores-new-tax-breaks-to-jump-start-stalled-housing-starts/

Building D is getting a 121B tax abatement to kick-start construction: https://www.dotnews.com/2026/09/14/boston-explores-new-tax-breaks-to-jump-start-stalled-housing-starts/

Project is getting a 121B tax abatement to kick-start construction: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/09/14/business/boston-housing-supply/

Think the Globe made a mistake with the headline. Fixed it for you

This new design is technically an increase parking over existing conditions. While it probably won't mollify many people, it will be a constant talking point the city uses to shut down opposition. I agree that this is an awful way to design infrastructure and most of the safe cycling/complete...

Updates to the Blue Hill Avenue center bus lanes and road redesign. No full roll plan yet, but there's enough information to get a good understand of what will be there. https://www.dotnews.com/2026/09/04/blue-hill-ave-overhaul-gets-fresh-design-pitch-ahead-of-community-meetings/

There is the faintest of silver linings, and that's Brian Kane (head of MBTA Advisory board and well-respected in transportation circles) saying he thinks this is a mistake. It's not much, but I believe he is the first person with any sort of power to push back on the BEMUs at all.

https://commonwealthbeacon.org/transportation/future-proof-or-a-strategic-mistake-inside-the-mbtas-effort-to-electrify-its-commuter-rail-system/

Looking at the 45 MPH curve just west of the Walk Bridge, the existing geometry seems like it could allow higher speeds. Let me start with a caveat: I did not measure this curve to determine the exact geometry, so this is mostly speculation. But the current geometry appears roughly as sharp as...

An ideal scenario here would probably feature :30 minute frequency true express trains (Worcester, Framingham, and Boston stations) and :30 minute frequency all-local trains with timed transfers at Framingham. This is faster express service for Worcester, maintains semi-express service at the...

This is why we can't have nice things. The MBTA is footing the entire bill for accessibility improvements at all Newton stations. And the response? An elected neighborhood council is complaining about the "historic character and neighborhood impacts" of a canopy, that is next to a large...

The article seems to mostly be excerpts from this MBTA press release: https://www.mbta.com/news/2026-07-31/interim-secretary-and-general-manager-phil-eng-mayor-michelle-wu-announce-community Of note, the new plans will be "providing a two-way protected lane for bicyclists" which is somewhat...

New Neighborhood Housing Zoning (NHZ) districts and maps are out. Overall, looks like a good-faith effort to legalize existing housing while also leading to some modest upzoning. Main takeaways: Make significant portions of Hyde Park, West Roxbury, and Roslindale zoning-compliant. Basically no...

Looking into it a bit, production estimates are all over the place. CommonWealth Beacon sites a study putting the estimate between 60,000 and 500,000, while CHAPA says Whatever the true number is, advocacy groups site a number of churches/synagogues/other religious organizations trying to...

Senate economic development bill is proposing legalizing duplexes statewide: https://commonwealthbeacon.org/housing/in-the-face-of-state-housing-shortage-could-single-family-zoning-be-on-the-chopping-block/