March 13, 2026

Good Morning,

Max Woolf here.

Over the past decade, Watertown life sciences employment has grown by over 250 percent, with more than 100 biotech companies now calling the city home.

That makes Watertown the region’s third-largest life science hub—behind only Cambridge and Boston, according to a report by Watertown Bio.

Earlier this week, we brought together industry leaders and local officials to discuss how Watertown pulled it off. (video below)

For many companies, it starts with amenities. Kelly Schick of C4 Therapeutics noted that her employees are “going out and walking at lunch, enjoying the trails and grabbing lunch at Arsenal Yards.”

Once workers discover what the city has to offer, she said, many actively want to be based here. 

Philip Borden, CEO of Labshares, noted that Watertown is a sort of “goldilocks zone” positioned between Boston and the western suburbs, making it convenient for employees commuting from multiple directions while remaining close to the research institutions and hospitals that fuel the industry.

And rents are less expensive, too. Not cheap, just less expensive.

Pictured from left to right: George Proakis, Watertown City Manager, Mark Deschenes, President of Boylston Properties. Philip Borden, CEO of Labshares. Kelly Schick, Chief People Officer at C4 Therapeutics, Hannah Green, BBJ, moderator. Credit: Elisif Photography

But Watertown also had a plan 

Watertown’s rise as a life science hub was not simply a matter of good location and luck.

City Manager George Proakis said it took years of planning, city council support and sustained effort to create the conditions that allowed the industry to flourish.

Housing has been a key part of that strategy. Proakis pointed to the city’s efforts to welcome more housing near transit and commercial areas, including the recent rezoning of Watertown Square. Borden noted that companies cannot grow if their employees do not have housing nearby, which is why the square’s new growth plan was a major draw for his plans to open LabShares’ second location at 66 Galen.

The result has been commercial tax growth that’s the envy of communities across the commonwealth.

That revenue has helped Watertown buck the financial pressures facing many municipalities, allowing the city to invest in major priorities—including building a new state-of-the-art high school, three elementary schools and several new parks—without needing a tax override.

But Proakis emphasized that housing itself is also a financial asset for communities.

“For any city or town that doesn’t think (multi-family) housing is a financial benefit,” he said, “they’re doing the numbers wrong.”

Watch the full program courtesy of Watertown Cable Access TV:

Brookline pitches rezoning across the street from The Street

The Newton City Council had an unusual guest on Monday: the Town of Brookline.

Town Administrator Charles Carey briefed Newton councilors on a sweeping rezoning proposal that could reshape Brookline’s side of Chestnut Hill, mainly across the street from The Street.

Carey presented an early look at Brookline’s plan to upzone four blocks along Route 9 (also including the Star Market parking lot), allowing buildings between seven and 14 stories.

Carey’s presentation drew the expected questions about traffic, parking, and neighborhood impacts — though ultimately, Newton has no say in what Brookline does.

From Brookline’s perspective, the added density is the point. Officials say it’s necessary to unlock meaningful commercial growth as the town weighs what could be the largest override request in Massachusetts history and looks to expand its commercial tax base.

For Carey, Chestnut Hill is an obvious place to focus that effort, noting that Brookline’s side remains far less developed than Newton’s.

“It’s one of the last places Brookline can see meaningful commercial growth,” he told the council.

At least one developer is already eyeing the opportunity. City Realty has indicated it would pursue a three-building complex with office, hotel, and residential uses, topping out at 14 stories if the rezoning passes Town Meeting — though, as any observer of New England’s notorious Town Meeting process knows, nothing is ever certain.

The arts makes its case 

This week, a group of state arts leaders asked lawmakers for more funding, and they've got a compelling case.

The Mass Cultural Council, which supports the commonwealth’s creative sector, is requesting a 5% budget increase, in line with Gov. Healey's recommendation of $27.35 million, reports Sam Drysdale of State House News.

If approved, it would be the largest spending allocation in the council's history.

The reason: demand is outpacing resources. The council received nearly 20,000 grant applications last year, up 65% since 2021, and still had to turn away 85% of eligible applicants. One in four cultural organizations in the state is running a deficit with dangerously low cash reserves.

All of this despite the fact that Massachusetts' creative sector generates nearly $30 billion annually, about 4% of the state's GDP, and supports more than 130,000 jobs. We think the ask is worth it.

The council is also seeking a new executive director following Michael Bobbitt's departure last fall. Needham resident David Slattery, a member of our Arts and Culture Committee, is currently serving as the council’s acting executive director.

Friday Grab Bag 

• Two years ago, after a contentious citywide debate, Newton updated its zoning. At the time, opponents warned the city would be overrun with new construction and oversized buildings. Find out what actually happened next Thursday (March 19,) at 7 p.m. Newton for Everyone is having housing researcher Amy Dain present and unpack the data on the first wave of VCOD projects. The event will take place at Congregation Dorshei Tzedek & Zoom. Register here
  
  
• One such example is Newton Centre’s first major project under the new zoning: a 4.5-story, 20-unit, multi-family residential with underground parking at 191 Sumner St., which will soon begin its permitting process.
  
  
• A federal judge has temporarily blocked ICE from conducting immigration enforcement actions at several churches involved in a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security. The case includes Newton congregations that argue the threat of raids near houses of worship discourages people from attending services. (BC Heights)
  
  
• Developer Michael Telodi asked the Needham Select Board to support his proposal for 10 condos directly across from the Needham Center Commuter Station on 182 Garden. St. The development will not comply with local zoning and move forward under a 40b-esque process. (Needham Observer)
  
  
• Join us next Tue. March 17 at 10 a.m. for a conversation with the three candidates running for Needham Select Board. Register
  
• The Wellesley Climate Action Committee will host a geothermal heating and cooling forum from April 15, 8:30 a.m. to noon, at Wellesley Village Church. The forum will cover real-world case studies and ownership models aimed at commercial property owners, developers, and residents.
  
• MIT is offering a free Arts Entrepreneurship course starting March 25, covering business fundamentals from pricing to fundraising — funded in part by a Mass Cultural Council grant and built specifically for artists pursuing sustainable careers.
  
• The City of Watertown has published a new visitor guide to help local businesses and cultural institutions connect with increased tourism this year for the Tall Ships, World Cup, and MA250 celebrations. The guide will be distributed at hotels and key locations across Watertown. If your business wants some, email Erin Rathe
  
• The City of Watertown will host a project update on Mount Auburn Street construction for businesses on March 19, 10 a.m., at Donohue's Bar & Grill (87 Bigelow Ave).
  
• Celtics legend Robert “The Chief” Parish will visit Wellesley Books on March 20 to discuss his new memoir and share stories from his storied NBA career.  (Swellesley Report)
  
• The Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series presents the Cantata Singers performing Bach’s powerful St. John Passion on Sat. March 14 (7:30 p.m.) at Needham Town Hall.

Wellesley looks to further tighten the screws on multifamily housing

Wellesley Town Meeting will soon vote on an item that could make it even harder to build multifamily housing.

Last month, the Planning Board approved zoning changes that would bar certain higher-density residential rezonings in single-family districts, a process currently allowed under the town’s RIO bylaw.

The proposal stems from a years-long effort to reform the controversial bylaw after two modest-sized condo developments were brought to Town Meeting under the RIO process in 2022. While both failed decisively, they were alarming enough to spark this push to prevent similar proposals from reaching the floor in the future.

Whether this item passes may not matter much.

As several unsuccessful developers have learned, most multifamily housing proposals in Wellesley still require Town Meeting approval — and the body has shown little appetite for them, or anything else that might actually be mistaken for a willingness to remedy our housing shortage.

Town Meeting begins March 30

A high school on a college campus. And it's free. 

Credit: Lasell University 

Newton is about to get something Massachusetts has never seen before: a public high school on a college campus.

Felix Commonwealth Virtual School opens this fall at Lasell University, becoming the first “public high school” of its kind in the state. The tuition-free program blends online coursework with in-person time on Lasell’s campus, where students will have access to university resources and a real collegiate environment.

Massachusetts credentialed teachers will work with every student on a personalized learning plan. Core academics are delivered online through ASU Prep's Khan World School platform, with in-person sessions for collaboration, seminars and enrichment.

Students will also have the opportunity to earn tuition-free college credits through Arizona State University.

Applications are open now. The first lottery deadline is March 16. Visit felixschool.org. 

That’s what you need to know, unless you need to know where to find some real Irish food on Saint Patrick’s Day.

Max Woolf (he, him)

Public Policy and Government Affairs Manager

Charles River Regional Chamber

617-431-6101

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