BTEA Northeast Monthly Briefing - January 2025

In Memoriam,

Chris Pennie


It is with profound sadness, the BTEA Northeast team mourns the passing of Chris Pennie, Co-President of Lee Kennedy, Co. Chris passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.


Chris led an unparalleled 37-year career with Lee Kennedy, beginning as a laborer and rising to Co-President, and contributed a great deal to our industry overall.


To us, Chris was a dedicated BTEA Member, mentor and friend. He was extremely smart and giving with his time and expertise. He always led with honesty, integrity, compassion and his signature quick wit. He will be dearly missed.

Chris Pennie Memorial Post

EVENTS AND TRAININGS

Scaling Up

Thursday, January 23 | 8AM - 12PM


This session will focus on four critical areas of business scale, including people, strategy, execution, and cash.


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Simplifying Contracts with AI

Monday, February 24 | 8AM - 10AM (Virtual)


This session is designed to give a demonstration of Document Crunch; an AI-powered platform that can streamline workflows, minimize risks, and enhance compliance for both pre-bid analysis and active project management as part of its comprehensive contract review.


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Steve Bench headshot

Attracting Tomorrow's Leaders with Today's Talent

Thursday, March 20 | 8AM - 12PM


This keynote session focuses on learning talent attraction and retention strategies to overcome generational differences and attract Millennial and Gen Z employees.


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2025 Education Bulletin


VIEW ALL WINTER & SPRING SESSIONS HERE

NEWS

White Stadium Project Cost Has Doubled Since Previous Estimates


The project’s estimated cost to the city has risen from $50 million to $91 million in a December report. City officials say their contribution accounts for less than half of the total cost, indicating the entire redevelopment could ring in at around $200 million, or roughly double earlier estimates with opposition growing given these adjusted figures.


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More Private Dorm Rooms Making the Grade


As Northeastern University and a private developer prepare to break ground on their second project in Roxbury in 2025, some observers see waning resistance to the private dorm model in Boston. Private developers are eager to build student housing in Boston. And city officials continue to press local colleges to add more dorms and rein in the off-campus population estimated at more than 38,000 students citywide.


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FMI Report Highlights Design-Build Role in Tackling Challenges


FMI Corporation released an updated 2024 Design-Build Utilization Study projecting design-build will account for over 47% of U.S. construction spending by 2028, surpassing $1.1 trillion in total construction spending over the next five years.


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Reminder: BTEA's 2024 Annual Review


We encourage you to take a moment to read BTEA's 2024 Annual Review. We thank you for your partnership and always welcome your feedback on future programs.


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PROJECTS & PROPOSALS

Skanska Nabs $450M Terminal E Project


The multi-year project will aim to improve Terminal E, including the creation of a 5K space parking garage.

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LOI Filed for Allston Project


A mixed-use building has been proposed for the corner of Harvard Ave and Cambridge Street in Allston. The plans include music performance space, housing and F&B space.

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MIT to Demolish Volpe Buildings


MIT plans to begin demolition of the Volpe Transporation Compound in Kendall Square to make way for nearly 3M SF of new development.

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LOI Filed for 35-75 Morrissey Boulevard


Morrissey CFL Holdings filed a LOI with the BPDA to develop 1.56M SF across seven new buildings, four of which will house office/life science uses and three of which will consist of multi-family housing, along with below-grade parking. 

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LEGISLATION

1/16 DLS Listening Session Reminder

DLS will hold a virtual informal listening session on Thursday, January 16 from 10 AM - 12 PM in consideration of starting the public review process regarding the potential applicability of Prevailing Wage to off-site fabrication.


READ MORE & LINK TO SESSION

Governor Healey EO Seeks More Construction Jobs for Women

While visiting the Sheet Metal Local 17 Training Center, Governor Healey signed EO 638 last month which will direct state agencies issuing construction contracts to do so in a way that creates better access to jobs for women and minorities.


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SCOTUS Weighs Fraud Claim Involving Racial Preferences

The Supreme Court recently heard arguments on a case against Alpha Painting in which the company is accused of lying about its intention to comply with the PA DOT's DBE Program and its failure to meet the program's diversity requirements upon completion of the high-profile business towers in Philadelphia. We will monitor for the Court's final decision on the case, which could set precedent for future DEI contract requirements on public projects.


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Mayor Wu Refiles Commercial Property Taxes

Yesterday, Mayor Wu filed a new version of the legislation that would hike the taxes to the same level as the measure killed in the Senate last month. The new proposal calls for residential tax rebates from surplus city funds in the event that lawmakers do not support the sought-after rate changes.


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FAST FACTS

  • James Vaughan, a 37-year member of Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 12, was recently sworn in as its new business manager, taking over for longtime business manager, Tim Fandel, who retired at the end of 2024.


  • The SJC recently upheld the controversial MBTA Communities law, but ruled that the "guidelines" issued by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities should have been rolled out as formal regulations and thus the Healey Administration will need to restart the rulemaking process.


  • Boston's Planning Department released its Boston Design Vision, which outlines principles for the planning and development of Boston, including goals through 2030.


  • In a flurry of final 2024 moves, President Biden blocked Japan's Nippon Steel purchase of U.S. Steel, a move supported by the National Steelworkers. U.S. Steel has now filed suit to defend its $15B sale.


  • Total construction starts increased 5% in November 2024 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.2 trillion.


  • Turner cost index rises 3.6% year over year. The index finished the third quarter with a marginal sequential increase of 0.77% compared to the second quarter and was 3.64% higher for the year.

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