It's National Boston Cream Pie Day. Boston's Omni Parker House Hotel, where this cake masquerading as pie was invented, is offering a free slice with any entree today to mark the occasion, as well as what they're calling a Boston cream pie flight. Raise the roof: The proposal to allow taller buildings in parts of downtown Boston has passed its last big hurdle. The city's Zoning Commission unanimously approved the rezoning plan yesterday (despite the chair of the commission recusing himself from the vote due to his work with a downtown business advocacy group that supported the measure). According to the city, it's the first comprehensive downtown zoning update in 30 years, intended to spur more housing in the neighborhood. - What does it change? The plan allows buildings up to 700 feet tall in a few pockets (slightly higher than what's currently allowed downtown) and increases height limits near Park Plaza and Downtown Crossing. It requires towers that take advantage of the new height limits in Downtown Crossing to be mostly residential. And it repeals land-use restrictions, making it easier to build housing and open businesses like cafes, bakeries and gyms across downtown.
- Reality check: Most downtown building height limits won't change because of state shadow regulations and FAA rules related to flight paths to Logan Airport, both of which supersede the city's zoning rules. (Michael Nichols, the zoning commission chair who recused himself, recently told Boston Magazine there's only “four to six” spots where a new 700-foot tower could realistically be built.)
- What's next: The rezoning plan now heads to Mayor Michelle Wu, who is expected to sign it. "I am looking forward to the predictability that it provides, both in ensuring that we're prioritizing housing in a different way ... but it also ensures that there are protections for the historic buildings that make up a large part of this downtown area," Wu told WBUR's Eve Zuckoff yesterday.
In related news: Wu signed an ordinance yesterday to make it a priority to turn "surplus" city-owned property in Boston into affordable housing. Previously, surplus property — that's property the city has declared it no longer has a use for — was often sold to the highest bidder, without regard for how it would be used, according to Wu. She said the new ordinance creates a formal process to ensure surplus buildings " will be considered first and foremost for affordable housing." - There are already some examples of this happening on a case-by-case basis, like The Pryde senior housing development in Hyde Park (which used to be a school building) and a police station-turned-apartment complex in Mattapan. Wu said there are "several other" former school buildings, like the West Roxbury Educational Complex , that could also be surplussed.
CARPETBAGGER & CRYPTO SCAMMER & PERENNIAL LIAR JOHN DEATON, SURROUNDED BY MASS GOP INCOMPETENTS, BLAMED SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN FOR THE FAILURE TO FUND THE CAPE COD BRIDGES, WHEN, IN FACT, TRUMP SLASHED FUNDING FOR THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, THE OWNER OF BOTH BRIDGES!
EVERYTHING HE STATED PUBLICLY WAS A LIE! EVEN COMMENTED ON THE STEWARD BANKRUPTCY - MAKE SURE IF THIS CLOWN DECIDES TO RUN THAT YOU FACT CHECK HIS STATEMENTS!
- SCRUTINIZE HIS HISTORY!
On the campaign trail: John Deaton is on the verge of launching another U.S. Senate campaign in Massachusetts. WBUR's Chris Van Buskirk reports the Republican cryptocurrency lawyer — who unsuccessfully ran against Sen. Elizabeth Warren — is "leaning" toward a 2026 run for Sen. Ed Markey's seat. Multiple sources told Chris that Deaton's official announcement could come as soon as next month in Worcester. - Meanwhile: Markey spoke to WBUR's Anthony Brooks about the challenge he's already facing in the Democratic primary from Rep. Seth Moulton and how it "brings out the Malden" in him.
- Down ballot: State Rep. Tram Nguyen is jumping into the 6th District race to replace Moulton as he runs for Senate. The Andover Democrat, who ousted conservative Republican Jim Lyons to win her seat in 2018, announced her congressional campaign this morning. She named the cost of living, affordable housing and confronting "relentless attacks on our Constitution and civil rights" as her priorities. “I’m running for Congress to restore faith in our democracy and to take on the challenges that keep families awake at night," Nguyen said.
ICE GESTAPO ABUSE & LIES! On ICE: A Lowell man with stage II brain cancer who had been held in ICE detention in Georgia is heading home. WBUR’s Rachell Sanchez-Smith reports Ihsanullah Garay, an Afghan national who was arrested by ICE officers in Methuen in September after he asked for directions, was released on bond yesterday. Garay's lawyer, Hans Bremer, says the 38-year-old asylum seeker’s medical condition worsened in detention. - Meanwhile: A judge ruled yesterday the 13-year-old Everett boy detained by ICE earlier this month must stay in juvenile detention in Virginia until his next hearing on Nov. 5. WBUR’s Andrea Perdomo-Hernandez has the latest on the case here.
P.S.— This Saturday is the deadline to register to vote, as well as the start of in-person early voting in Boston's municipal election. Read our 2025 election guide for more on all the contested City Council races and how to make sure your ballot is counted. |
