With boom, worry over fate of older Boston properties

Corporate tenants, their employees and tourists are all fueling Boston's building boom, but developers and urban planners also will need to consider what will happen to all of the older buildings that are left behind.

"You can in fact build a new building for less than acquisition cost," said Ray Ritchey, executive vice president of Boston Properties. "Tenants are going to new buildings to rebrand themselves. ... When you see the Innovation District and buildings going up, it really needs to be tempered with what happens to the buildings that are left behind."

At an Urban Land Institute forum yesterday, James Clayton, vice president of research at Cornerstone Real Estate Advisors, said money is flowing to both existing properties and new development, noting that his company has been associated with properties as varied as the Copley Square Hotel and Fan Pier.

"We have investors who want well-leased core property because they're after income," Clayton said, "whereas others are after total return, and they're willing to take more risk."

Ted Tye, managing partner at National Development, noted that about 5,300 apartments also are going up in Boston over the next several years, and tenants are looking for amenities.

"We're thinking about bikes, rental cars, dogs," Tye said. "The answer really is in variety."

The challenge, however, is to provide all of that at an affordable price, he said.

"We can have all the job growth in the world," Tye said, "but we need to have affordability, otherwise we're going to lose people to other cities."

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Walsh seeks more Hub Wi-Fi

Mayor Martin J. Walsh is pitching a plan to expand the city's high-speed Internet network to connect all Boston Public School buildings and increase the number of public Wi-Fi hotspots in the Hub.

Walsh wants to spend $10.75 million over five years to expand the city's fiber-optic cable network to hook up 100 additional schools to high-speed Internet. The proposal is included in Walsh's capital budget, which is before the City Council.

"The mayor is committed to investing in improving the Internet connections for our schools and the students we serve," said Kate Norton, a spokeswoman for Walsh.

The fiber-optic network now connects about 200 city buildings, including police and fire stations and 26 schools. There are 128 schools in the city.

The move to bolster the Internet capability comes after the schools spent 
$3 million on 10,000 Google Chromebooks, ultra-light laptops based on Google's Chrome browser. The laptops work without Internet access, but are designed to be used while connected.

City Councillor Michelle Wu said increasing Internet access for students is crucial. "It's important that Boston is providing the infrastructure for our kids, our students and our families," Wu said.

The expanded fiber-optic network also will be used to support public Wi-Fi. In May, Walsh announced Wicked Free Wi-Fi, Boston's new public wireless program that will focus on the city's Main Streets Districts. Most existing hotspots are built on top of access points in the current fiber-optic network.

Walsh has also repeatedly teased plans for a citywide fiber-optic network, saying "stay tuned."

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New owner at Fox 25 after station swap with Cox Media

Boston TV station Fox 25 has a new owner under a surprise TV station swap announced yesterday — and the first big move is general manager Gregg Kelley, who is heading to the West Coast to helm two TV stations.

Under the switch-up, Fox Television Stations is giving Fox 25 and a Memphis TV station to Cox Media Group while Cox gives Fox two San Francisco stations.

Fox 25 will remain a Fox affiliate. Kelley is moving to San Francisco to run KTVU-TV and KICU-TV, a Fox spokeswoman confirmed. Kelley will stay on in Boston until they ink the deal.

Al Tompkins of the Poynter Institute said Fox is moving up a market with the TV station trade, as San Francisco is the sixth-largest TV market in the country and Boston is seventh.

San Francisco is also home to the 49ers football team and Fox has the TV broadcasting rights to NFC games, Tompkins noted. (The Patriots are in the AFC).

"I suspect that's the biggest motivator behind this," Tompkins said of the TV market boost and football broadcasts.

As for any on-air changes at Fox 25 which might affect morning show personalities or longtime evening anchor Maria Stephanos, Tompkins said "anything could happen" but a new owner "doesn't usually walk in and clean house on the air."

"They don't want to disturb viewers," Tompkins said.

In a joint press release, Cox President Bill Hoffman said: "This is the first time we have had a media presence in Boston and Memphis, and CMG is excited about the prospects that WFXT-TV and 
WHBQ-TV bring to our business. These new stations fit nicely into CMG's broadcast portfolio, and we look forward to having a great news presence in these two markets and competing hard with the fine local broadcasters who already reside there."

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AG to probe CGI payments

The state will shell out an additional $35 million to developer CGI in a settlement over the disastrous Health Connector website, and Attorney General Martha Coakley has launched an investigation into the Virginia-based company, officials said yesterday.

"There were deficiencies and shortcomings on our part and CGI's part," said state Obamacare czar Maydad Cohen. "That has been well-documented by independent reports and by virtue of the fact we're in the position we're in today."

All totaled, CGI will have recouped $52 million of the original $69 million contract — a cost that skyrocketed to $89 million thanks to cost overruns. But the site was doomed from day one, baffling users with glitches that blocked people with hyphenated names and forced others to falsely identify themselves as prison inmates or mental patients to enroll.

"What a sad state of affairs that you spend that amount of money and there's no accountability at all," said Joshua Archambault of the Pioneer Institute. "If this were the private sector, there would be serious consequences for wasting this kind of money."

The agreement gives Coakley the power to try to recover up to $12 million from CGI under the False Claims Act.

"The failings of the CGI-developed website have been unacceptable, and we are conducting an investigation into their actions to seek to recover money back for taxpayers," said spokesman Brad Puffer.

But GOP gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker shot back: "Investigations cannot undo the taxpayer dollars wasted and the disruption of families' access to health care."

Gov. Deval Patrick defended the settlement in a statement: "This is a pragmatic way to wind up a frustrating relationship. CGI has been a disappointing partner."

CGI had continued working on the day-to-day project as recently as this week, even though Patrick had announced in March that the two sides were "parting ways."

Part of yesterday's settlement included determining the ownership of intellectual property — items such as software and code — that wasn't clearly spelled out in the contract.

CGI workers will remain on the job for the next three months in the transition.

"This agreement recognizes the important contributions made by CGI throughout the project and during the past three months when hundreds of CGI professionals stayed on the job," said CGI spokeswoman Linda Odorisio.

While state officials had blamed CGI for the disaster, documents unearthed by the Herald showed that in-fighting among Patrick administration officials, frequently changing work orders, and the state's obsession with building the "Rolls-Royce" of insurance portals also contributed to the cyber-meltdown.

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The Ticker

FDA approves antibiotic from Lexington's Cubist

The Food and Drug Administration yesterday approved a new antibiotic from Lexington-based Cubist Pharmaceuticals to treat common skin infections often acquired in the hospital.

Regulators cleared the company's Sivextro as a pill and as an intravenous solution for adults with skin infections caused by bacteria that are often resistant to older antibiotics.

The FDA gave Sivextro an expedited review under a 2012 law designed to encourage drug makers to invest in researching and development of new antibiotics. Under the measure, Cubist will receive an additional five years of exclusive marketing rights to the drug.

Casino hopefuls present traffic plans

Mohegan Sun and Wynn Resorts laid out plans yesterday to help alleviate Boston-area traffic created by their proposed casinos.

The casino giants are vying for the lucrative eastern region gambling license, which is expected to be awarded in late August or early September.

Mohegan Sun officials, at a meeting before state gambling regulators at the Hynes Convention Center, said the casino's planned $1.2 billion resort on the Revere side of the Suffolk Downs horse racing track would include an estimated $45 million in transit-related improvements.

Wynn Resorts officials said their proposed $1.6 billion casino on a former chemical plant site in Everett would include about $50 million in such investments.

Both casino operators put forward a range of traffic-mitigating plans, including improvements to some of the area's most congested traffic circles. The casinos also said they would be limiting employee parking onsite and encouraging mass transit use while also staggering work shifts so that employees are not on the road during rush hour drive times.

Dow, S&P reach record highs

U.S. stocks rose yesterday, driving the Dow and the S&P 500 to close at record highs as the shares of 330 companies hit 52-week highs on the New York Stock Exchange.

The S&P 500 scored its third record closing high in a row while the Dow surpassed its previous record close on June 10. The blue-chip index hit an all-time intraday high at 16,978.02, coming close to the 17,000 mark.

For the week, the three major U.S. stock indexes rose 1 percent as investors brushed off geopolitical concerns about Iraq and focused on the Federal Reserve's comments indicating that it will keep interest rates low for a long period of time.

Sperry Van Ness International Corp., a commercial real estate franchisor based in Boston, announced that Diane Danielson, previously the company's chief platform officer, was promoted to chief operating officer. Danielson is responsible for the day-to-day operations that support the more than 180 Sperry Van Ness franchises nationwide. She previously worked as a new media and marketing technology consultant for several industries.

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Yukon SLT claims high-end territory

Slide into the leather captain's seats, grasp the contrast stitched leather steering wheel, flip on the premium sound system and enjoy the quiet comfortable ride. But make no mistake about it, the fully redesigned 2015 GMC Yukon SLT is still a truck.

So don't be afraid to pack a six-man crew into the three rows of seats, hook on the trailer and get everyone to the job site and — as with many full-sized premium SUVs — you'll still be able to hit the car wash on the way home and take your favorite person to dinner. MSRP of the SLT is $57,735, but add on some niceties and you get the $64,520 test model we drove.

GMC uses the 5.3 Liter 
355 hp V-8 Ecotec3 engine, with its active fuel management system that shuts down four cylinders under certain driving conditions, to average around 18 mpg. I glided up Interstate 95 and got 22-plus on the highway while traveling in effortless comfort. Based on a rear-wheel drive platform the SLT has on-demand all-wheel drive controlled from a switch knob on the dash. I ran into heavy rain during my test and switched to four-wheel drive on the fly and marveled at how secure the truck was in the storm.

The nicely appointed Yukon succeeds in delivering on many fronts, and although its curb appeal may not swivel some heads, the full-sized vehicle is a must shop in the premium workhorse field. Our tester was fitted out with the $3,255 Sun and Entertainment package that added on the sunroof, and upgraded the navigation and sound and rear entertainment systems. The 8-inch touchscreen LCD worked easily, and the smartphone integration was a snap.

I really like the big simple analog gauges on the dash. Forgoing some of the electronic wizardry in other cars, the GMC presents a six-gauge array wrapped around the electronic display that is easy to read.

The safety features engage all the senses. Lighted blind spot alerts, a driver's seat that vibrates when you drift off lane, and audible tones when you get too close keep you on your toes when driving. The front and back parking cameras and electronic assist steering make maneuvering this nearly 6,000-lb truck quite easy. Parallel parking the 17-foot-long truck still takes some skill, but you'll be surprised how manageable the powered rack and pinion steering makes it. Cup holders, a huge center-mounted storage bin and multiple USB connections hint at the workman heritage of these trucks.

An additional $2,000 kicks on the 20-inch aluminum wheels and more importantly the max trailer package — a 4-ton tow capacity. An upgraded rear axle, dash-mounted trailer brake controller, a two-speed transfer case and heavier duty air suspension turning this into a powerful construction workhorse or the king of weekend camping.

The power operated 60/40 split third-row seats fold flat and are a tight fit for adult passengers. Other GMC SUVs, such as the Acadia we tested last fall, are better suited for extra passengers but these will work for short trips or kids. The second-row captain's chairs are sharp-looking and comfortable, though. Lower trim levels use rear bench seats, so this may be a better option if people are the priority.

Available in three trim levels, some of the vehicles the Yukon competes with for your SUV dollars include the Land Rover LR4, Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia.

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TD Garden gets growing on $70M redo

TD Garden yesterday unveiled further details of a two-year, $70 million renovation that includes digital technology and Wi-Fi enhancements, concourse and Legends Club upgrades, new menu items and a much larger pro shop.

The goal is to provide a "best-in-class hospitality and in-game event experience," according to Charlie Jacobs, principal of arena owner Delaware North Cos. and the Boston Bruins. "I hope it will set a standard for the arena industry and the hospitality industry," he said.

A high-density Wi-Fi system with 400-plus antennas will be installed in the 19-year-old arena. Delaware North also is exploring an industry-first: placing 24 of those Wi-Fi antennas in the hockey boards that circle the ice.

The project will add 29 video walls displaying game feeds, fans' Twitter posts and sponsor messaging; 72 overhead digital LED displays; and eight digital maps.

A larger Legends Club, the restaurant for season ticket holders, will have poles wrapped in LED displays and changing projections of sports banners. A raw bar, charcuterie and items including lobster pot pie and braised short rib nachos are on the new made-to-order menu.

TD Garden also will sport four new "fan hospitality zones," 25 new portable food and beverage carts, new craft beer bars and revamped concession stands with digital menu boards. Burgers and local specialties such as lobster rolls, fried clams, meatballs and cannoli will be sold.

"I think people will be most excited about the food," TD Garden president Amy Latimer said.

The current pro shop will remain open until the new second-level shop, which is more than double the size, opens by year's end.

"We're looking for some fun technology as well for that space," Latimer said.

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East-meets-Gothic in Zen makeunder

The interior of the five-bedroom penthouse unit at the Burrage House mansion 
in the Back Bay, which just went on the market for 
$10.7 million, is nothing like you'd expect from the building's exterior.

The imposing residence at 314 Commonwealth Ave., built in 1899 as the home of copper tycoon Albert Burrage, was modeled after a French Gothic chateau and is decorated with gargoyles, dragons and cherubs carved into its elaborate stonework.

But the current penthouse owners went for a minimalist approach, with an interior designed by Japanese-born architect Moho Abe of Woburn-based Zen Associates. Abe has successfully incorporated an Eastern aesthetic within the confines of a very Western building.

There are only four units in the Burrage, which was converted to condos in 2003-2004.

The penthouse has large, open living spaces filled with natural light that radiate serenity.

"People are taken aback by the open space and minimalist design," said listing broker Terry Maitland of Landvest. "The buyer is 
going to have be someone with a really modern aesthetic because too much has gone into the renovation."

The architect took 
advantage of the top floors by creating vaulted ceilings and adding skylights throughout. Fine touches include a staircase to the fifth floor with floating maple stairs and handrails wrapped in leather.

The entryway off the 
elevator, modeled after a Japanese house, has movable walls that are ideal for displaying artwork. The open living/dining area features beige limestone floors and a wood fireplace set 
inside a large wall of onyx.

The building has two turrets: Under one is a free-standing stainless steel hot tub, and the other hosts a meditation space.

The custom kitchen features blue limestone floors and stainless steel Poggenpohl cabinetry, and Sub-Zero, Kuppersbusch and Miele 
appliances. At the far end of the kitchen is a built-in tropical fish tank that acts as a 
divider to a family room with cathedral ceilings, skylights and a gas fireplace.

Off the family room is a cleverly designed child's bedroom with built-in beds. A hallway has a long row of burled walnut cabinets with lots of storage space and a Miele washer and dryer.

The fifth floor, taken up by the master bedroom suite, has a carpeted bedroom with a sunken bed and a wall of burled walnut closets with custom built-ins. The bedroom opens onto a two-tiered roof deck with another hot tub as well as great Back Bay tower views.

If there's any negative, it's that three of the unit's bedrooms are in a connected 1,265-square-foot apartment in the building next door. The unit, made for a nanny
or other live-in help, is rather average-looking and is untouched by the hand of the architect.

The penthouse and live-in apartment total 8,565 square feet and the taxes are $81,461 this year. The condo fee, even though it includes all utilities, including heat and central air conditioning, is a staggering $5,676 a month.

But in its favor, the penthouse comes with four deeded spaces in the building's garage, plus there's one outdoor parking space. You'd be hard-pressed to get this kind of parking anywhere in the city no matter the price.

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Kraft Foods recalls 260 cases of Velveeta

NEW YORK — Kraft said Thursday it is recalling its Velveeta cheese product from Walmart stores in as many as 12 states, mostly in the Midwest, because the cheese product lacks the proper amount of preservatives.

Insufficient levels of sorbic acid has led to the recall of 260 cases of Velveeta original pasteurized recipe cheese product because it could cause the cheese product to spoil prematurely or cause food-borne illnesses.

Kraft Foods Group Inc. said the cheese product was sent to three Walmart distribution centers and could have been shipped to as many as 12 states: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

The company said the code on the packages is 021000611614. The packages also have a date stamp that reads "17 DEC 2014" and the timeframe is between 10:54 and 14:35.

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Mainers paying $99 in monthly premium on exchange

AUGUSTA, Maine — Mainers who signed up for health care coverage on the federally-run exchange are paying an average of $99 per month in premiums.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services figures released Wednesday show that 89 percent of Mainers who signed up on the exchange selected plans that the federal government helps pay for with tax credits.

The department said that the average monthly premium in Maine before credits were taken into account was $443 and fell 78 percent with the subsidy.

The average tax credit for Maine plans was $344 a month. The federal government pays the credit directly to insurers. Mainers who chose silver plans, the most common, paid an average monthly premium of $87.

More than 44,000 Mainers signed up on the exchange during open enrollment period.

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