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Monthly Newsletter August 31, 2021 | In This Issue

100 Staples Drive Update Directory for Minority-Owned, Women-Owned, LGBTQ+-Owned Businesses New Housing at Bancroft Lofts New Restaurant Options Back to School COVID-19 Guidance

Calare Properties Buys 100 Staples Drive

Calare Properties (Calare) announced in July that the real estate company had purchased 100 Staples Drive, a corporate campus with 160,925 square feet of commercial space that is located close to all of Framingham’s major highways and thoroughfares – the MassPike, Route 9, and both Routes 495 and 95. The Worcester Business Journal reported that the property was bought for $9.5 million.   “Framingham is quickly growing as a hub for life sciences research, development, and manufacturing within the MetroWest region’s thriving biotech ecosystem,” said Todd Barclay, SVP of Acquisitions at Calare, in a press release announcing that the company had completed buying the property. “100 Staples Drive enhances our portfolio in the region and provides potential tenants with a world-class facility for innovation and collaboration.” Calare is a real estate operator and developer that relocated its headquarters to Framingham in 2019 after spending 14 years in Hudson. “Our new Framingham location provides an ideal new home that supports our growing real estate investment platform and, most importantly, the needs of our employees,” said Bill Manley, CEO and CIO of Calare, in a press release at the time of the move. In July 2019, the Choose Framingham newsletter focused on the 11.5 acre site at 100 Staples Drive. We described the property as “an ideal location for growing companies with its close proximity to the global headquarters of retail giant, Staples, as well as world headquarters for Bose, a major R&D facility for Sanofi Genzyme, and more. Companies that locate here also have access to a highly educated workforce and collaboration opportunities with Framingham State University.” “There is so much opportunity in Framingham, especially for the growing cluster of Life Sciences companies located here. It is encouraging to see another Framingham-based company, Calare, invest in the City’s economic future. We look forward to seeing what happens next with this important property,” said Doug Lawrence, chair of the City’s Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (EDIC).

Framingham Minority-Owned, Women-Owned, and LGBTQ+-Owned Business Directory Are you a Framingham business who identifies as a minority- or women-owned business? If your answer is yes, this is for you! Choose Framingham is putting together a directory with businesses owned by members of the BIPOC community, women, and/or members of the LGBTQ+ community. The directory will be used to promote MBEs, WBEs, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses - through this tool, it will be easier for local residents to find employers and enterprises in Framingham they would like to support with their dollars.  If you would like to be part of this directory, please fill out this form here. If you know of a business that might be interested, feel free to let us know about them or send them the form above to fill out. Please do not hesitate to contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at 508-532-5455 with any questions you may have. Bancroft Lofts Brings 258 New Units of Housing to Framingham’s Downtown Repurposing an historic industrial space near Farm Pond and combining it with new, energy efficient construction, Bancroft Lofts is bringing 258 new units of housing to Framingham’s Downtown. With the new and renovated buildings, the property offers both new, modern as well as funky, renovated mill spaces. The site on Fountain Street was originally built in the early 20th century for the R.H. Long Shoe Company. According to their website, “the beloved building has been completely renovated into The Lofts Building, with gorgeous light-filled living spaces. The power station in the middle of the site was reimagined into The Powerhouse Building, a fully stocked central amenity center. Finally, The Vista Building, a stunning new LEED-rated building, has risen on the site, providing a contemporary living experience to the historic locale.” The development is less than a ten-minute walk to Downtown Framingham and only steps away from Framingham’s commuter rail station with stunning views of Farm Pond. Those interested in applying for a loft-style apartment or 1- and 2-bedroom units can do so at Bancroft Lofts’ website.

New Restaurant Options in Framingham

Part of the apartment complex The Buckley, the Buckley Kitchen and Bar recently opened at 444 Franklin Street offering a modern atmosphere and diverse menu options. Their menu consists of several small plates to share, as well as entrees, flatbreads, and salads. You can enjoy the variety of cocktails, draft beers, and wines they offer. The Buckley Kitchen and Bar is open Tuesday to Thursday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. You can follow them on Instagram or Like them at Facebook.  135 Grill Steak-House also opened in recent months. Located on Route 135, this restaurant combines Brazilian and American cuisine, including offering a churrasco experience as well as small plates. Here, you can enjoy a Caipirinha cocktail and cannot miss the traditional rodizio. If you are looking to enjoy some night life, 135 Lounge is available to host events but also for just an evening out. You can find 135 Grill Steak-House at 672 Waverly Street, Monday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 1:00 am, Friday from 11:30pm to 2:00 am and Saturday to Sunday from 11:30 am to 1:00 am. You can also Like them at Facebook.

Back to school – COVID-19 Guidance

As the time to go back to school grows nearer, Choose Framingham would like to share with you Framingham’s schools’ COVID-19 guidance. Framingham Public Schools is following the recommendations of several public health entities, including the Framingham Department of Public Health. Students from Pre-K-12, and all staff, are required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. (On Tuesday, August 24th, the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to grant Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley the authority to "mandate masks for all public K-12 students, educators, and staff through October 1st"). Still, vaccination is recommended to everyone who is eligible, which includes young people 12 years of age and older. The students will have the opportunity to be vaccinated at school-based clinics (click on this link for more information). Other mitigation strategies the Framingham school system will implement are: Handwashing Staying home when sick Physical distancing Ventilation Cleaning and disinfecting Contact tracing, quarantine, and isolation The first day of school for students from the first grade to senior year begins on September 1st. Kindergarten students begin on September 2nd. For more information on Framingham Public School’s COVID-19 policies, please visit: https://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/coronavirus Framingham State University (FSU) has joined the COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge launched by the White House to encourage all staff and faculty to get vaccinated. Moreover, FSU has joined the Massachusetts State University System by requiring all students attending in-person classes to be vaccinated. In efforts to mitigate the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, FSU will also reinstate their indoor mask mandate regardless of individuals’ vaccination status. Classes will begin at Framingham State University on September 2nd. For more information on FSU’s COVID-19 policies, please click here. Massachusetts Bay Community College (MassBay) will only hold a limited number of courses on campus, primarily lab-based classes in Automotive Technology, STEM, and Health Sciences. Students taking those classes will be required to be vaccinated. According to MassBay’s website, the college is also implementing the following precautions:  Face coverings are required at all times in buildings. The only time face coverings can be temporarily removed is to take sips from a beverage. Six feet of social distance is required wherever possible. Hallways will be marked with floor clings to facilitate six feet; classrooms will spread chairs six feet apart; common areas will be closed to prevent gatherings in close proximity. Restricted Access. The campuses are closed to the public, and only previously cleared MassBay students, faculty, staff, or vendors will be allowed on campus. Mandatory vaccination for students on campus in Automotive Technology, Health Sciences, and STEM classes. Students registered for on campus classes in these subjects must have at least one dose by September 13th. Mandatory testing for non-vaccinated students. Students taking classes on campus will be required to submit a COVID-19 test weekly, unless you choose to volunteer your proof of vaccination. Classes begin at MassBay Community College on September 7th. For more information on their COVID-19 protocols, please visit them here.

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