Massachusetts residential real estate lessors, property managers and brokers are facing increased scrutiny over alleged Fair Housing Act (“FHA”) violations. In fact, in recent months, over a dozen lawsuits have been filed in both State and Federal Courts, as well as the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (“MCAD”) against various lessors, property managers and brokers of…
Landlords Beware: Serial Plaintiffs Can Be Costly
POSTED IN: Commercial Real Estate, Litigation, News
Client Alert: Governor Baker Signs Progressive Zoning Act Changes
On January 14, 2021, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law amendments to Chapter 40A intended to facilitate the permitting and development of housing in the Commonwealth. Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40A, entitled “The Zoning Act”, is the statutory framework that underlies all local zoning controls adopted across Massachusetts’ 350 cities and towns outside of…
POSTED IN: Commercial Real Estate, Construction Law, News
Client Alert: Ruberto, Israel & Weiner Construction Law Group Wins $5 million Judgment for its Client Under Massachusetts Prompt Payment Law
RIW Construction Law attorneys Bradley Croft, Kirk McCormick and Roger Smerage secured summary judgment for RIW’s client under a seldom-used law known as the Massachusetts Prompt Payment Act. In a case of first impression in Massachusetts, the superior court granted summary judgment in favor of RIW’s client, a general contractor, in a dispute arising over…
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Commercial Real Estate, Construction Law, Litigation, News
Client Alert: Ruberto, Israel & Weiner Client Braintree Street Realty LLC Files PNF for Review of 401,000 sq ft. mixed-use Allston Project
RIW is proud to have been part of the team that helped move such a significant community project to this important stage. Lead attorneys for RIW, Michael Rosen and Russell Stein, view this project as an important step forward in the continuing successful development of the Boston Landing neighborhood. Read the full story here. Michael…
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Commercial Real Estate, Corporate & Business, News
Client Alert: New Amazon Distribution Facility
Congratulations to Ruberto, Israel & Weiner client, Ozzy Properties, on the successful closing of the sale of a portion of Osgood Landing to Hillwood Development for the development of an Amazon distribution facility. Ozzy will continue to own and operate a 400,000 square foot commercial office complex and 6 MW solar project at the location….
POSTED IN: Commercial Real Estate, News
Client Alert: Ruberto, Israel & Weiner Client Grandis Homes LLC Breaks Ground on Timber Crest Estates and Kingsbury Village
Congratulations to RIW client Grandis Homes LLC for breaking ground on Timber Crest Estates and Kingsbury Village in Medway, Massachusetts. Once completed, Timber Crest Estates and Kingsbury Village will consist of 136 single-family homes, clustered throughout a 170-acre development site in Medway. Attorney Christopher Agostino was lead counsel for Grandis Homes throughout the permitting process. …
POSTED IN: Commercial Real Estate, News
Client Alert: Massachusetts House Bill Proposes to End Local COVID-19 Permitting Stay as of December 1, 2020
Earlier this year, we reported that House Bill 4617 effectively stayed the expiration of local approvals and permitting deadlines as of March 10, 2020 in response to COVID-19. Governor Baker also issued COVID-19 Executive Order No. 17, which stayed permitting activity before state agencies. Both the state and local orders were originally set to expire,…
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Commercial Real Estate, COVID-19, News
Impact of the Pandemic on Restaurant Leases and Valuations
We thought you’d be interested in this summary put together by Restaurant Trends Seminar partner, the Boston Restaurant Group: In the past a “good” lease was always considered the most valuable asset of a restaurant. Post COVID-19, it has become the restaurant’s greatest liability. I realize how difficult the past few months have been for everyone in the…
POSTED IN: Commercial Real Estate, COVID-19, Hospitality Practice Group, News
Client Alert: SBA Issues Revised PPP Loan Forgiveness Applications
On Tuesday, June 16, 2020, the Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) quietly released the revised Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application (the “Long Form Application”) and the new Paycheck Protection Program PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Form 3508EZ (the “EZ Application”). The instructions included as part of the Applications provide borrowers with much needed guidance on…
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Commercial Real Estate, COVID-19, News
Client Alert: House and Senate Pass Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act
On June 3, 2020, the United States Senate passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (the “Act“), as passed by the House on May 27, 2020, amending certain aspects of the Small Business Administration Act and the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP“), created by Division A, Title I of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic…
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Commercial Real Estate, COVID-19, News