How Boston's Biggest Development Is Defending Itself Against Catastrophic Flooding

Whether the public realizes it or not, the buildings they work in are probably unhealthy — an unsettling reality that is as true today as it was before the coronavirus pandemic.

That’s because defining what makes a building “healthy” or less than that ideal is complicated, especially now as building owners desperately search for ways to convince tenants and their employees that it is safe to come back to the office.

With millions of dollars in rent — and the health of millions of workers — at stake, clearing this uncertain air has become the priority of two entities, WELL and Fitwel, which have been issuing healthy building certifications and seals with the stated goal of enhancing the health and well-being of occupants.

However, those assurances come with a price tag and lingering misconceptions about what these healthy building labels mean. 

“Who isn't interested in healthy buildings today?” Skanska USA Commercial Development Sustainability Director Sarah King said. “As we come back and see the world reopen after the pandemic, it's really underscored how personal it is — you feel it very personally when you're entering into a building and wondering how it can impact your health.”

Read the full story here.

In Case You Missed It...

In February, Major League Baseball made official what had been rumored to be in the works for months: a realignment of minor league baseball resulting in 43 teams being stripped of their affiliation.

Taken at a glance, it appeared to be a devastating blow to several small towns, the removal of an economic driver, a cultural center or both. But the vast majority of those teams will continue to operate in either independent leagues or newly formed leagues for collegiate and pre-draft athletes, and some of the towns where teams ceased operations are already formulating plans to repurpose their ballparks, most of which are owned by the municipalities already.

Read the full story here.