Update on Beverly Commuter Parking Garage

Update on our May 21, 2008 post... according to the Beverly Citizen, Beverly officials are looking to seek proposals from local landowners to build a commuter parking garage near Beverly Depot.

Read the entire Beverly Citizen article.

NAR Takes Step Forward with National Property Database

At the September 17, 2008, the National Association of Realtors® Board of Directors authorized NAR to work with a technology company to create a Realtors®-controlled national database or “library” of property data that would provide members-only access to detailed information on all properties in the United States.

The repository, which NAR is calling a "digital library/archive," would be revenue neutral but could eventually be fee-based to cover operating costs. In a report preceding the vote, NAR CEO Dale Stinton emphasized that the repository will not be a national MLS. There will be no offers of cooperation or compensation, nor any attempt to create a national online marketplace for property listings. The database also will be accessible to REALTORS® only, with no consumer-facing components.

You can real more about the NAR National Property Database here.

NSAR meets with Congressional Leadership

On Wednesday, May 14, 2008, the President of the North Shore Association of Realtors®, Marilyn Jarvis, and President-Elect, David Kres, met with Congressman John Tierney (D-6th District), and aides for Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Senator John Kerry (D-MA).

Issues discussed including FHA and GSE reform, buyer tax credit, flood insurance, small business health insurance, and other legislative items.

Realtors® can get a brief overview of our message by clicking here.

Above is a picture of Marilyn and Dave's meeting with Congressman Tierney.

News from NAR's Midyear Meetings

Last week, the National Association of Realtors® met in Washington D.C. for the Midyear Legislative Meetings. The agenda was packed and local, state and national leaders in the Realtors® Association were extremely busy.

Here's a list of headlines from the meetings: http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2008051601?OpenDocument

Part of Historic Ipswich News Building to be Demolished

According to the Ipswich Chronicle, the owner of the 16 Market St, Ipswich property which housed the “Ipswich News” has filed a permit to begin demolition of the non-historical portion of the building which was damaged by fire last July. The historical commission previously implemented a demolition delay bylaw while they determined that the front portions both 16 Market Street and the adjoining property at 20 Market Street to be historically significant.

Read the entire Ipswich Chronicle article.

Beverly Developer Proposes New Plan

According to the Beverly Citizen, developer CEA Group of Cambridge, who bought the Beverly property at Brimbal Ave and Sohier Rd in November 2005, has asked the City to rezone the property from industrial to commercial. CEA Group has a plan on the site for 4 buildings, a mix of retail and office space along with a childcare center.

Read the entire Beverly Citizen article.

Affordable Housing Coalition Receives Funding for Beverly Construction

The Beverly Citizen reported that the Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition has received all the needed permits and approvals as well as the funding for the $8.5 million project replacing the existing Mayflower Motel on Cabot and Elliot Streets in Beverly. Construction would begin the end of the year and last for about one year.

The units will be affordable based on the financing agreements with Department of Housing and Community Development, City of Beverly, Northshore Home Consortium, Enterprise Foundation and the Danvers State Preservation Fund. Each unit will be between 250-400 sq. ft. restricted to one resident and rent for $375 to $625 a month. A grant of $46,000 from The Enterprise Foundation is awarded because the building will be energy efficient thus a Green Building.

This photo, courtesy of the Beverly Citizen, is an artist’s conception of what Cabot Street Homes will look like when it is built at the current site of the Mayflower Motel.

Read the entire Beverly Citizen article.

Parking Garage Stalling $100 million Beverly Project

According to the Beverly Citizen, parking issues could stall a plan for Windover Development to go forward with plans for a mixed commercial and residential development block in Beverly next to Beverly Depot train station. A parking garage was supposed to be approved by Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and without that, Windover President Lee Dellicker cannot advance with the plans. The key was to have this garage that would create hundreds of parking spaces. Windover has a plan B if they have no assurances of a garage being built they would revise their plans for a project that would take in account the smaller parking spaces.

Read the entire Beverly Citizen article.