Page 4 - New England Condominium July 2019

4 NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM -JULY 2019 NEWENGLANDCONDO.COM Industry Pulse Industry News BOMA Award Entry Forms Now Available Information regarding the 2019 BOMA Boston “calls for entries” (submission re- quirements, eligibility, and manual) are now available at www.bomaboston.org. Each year, the TOBY (The Outstanding Building of the Year) & Industry Awards recognize industry excellence in property management, building operations, and service. There are 17 categories for TOBY Awards, and 10 categories for the Industry Awards. Since the TOBYs are nationally recognized, the local winners move on to the regional competition, and potentially the international competition. BOMA Boston’s local TOBY & Industry awards are one of the largest in the country in terms of participation and attendance amongst other BOMA chapters, with all members contributing to some aspect of the awards program in one way or the other, according to the Boston chapter’s officials. Award categories include Rising Professional of the Year; Property Manager of the Year (Low-Rise); Property Manager of the Year (Mid-Rise); Property Manager of the Year (High-Rise); Property Manager of the Year (Suburban); Property Manager of the Year (Facility); Engineer of the Year; Chief Engineer of the Year; Affiliate Mem- ber of the Year; Affiliate Company of the Year. The deadline for submitting entries is September 9. Law & Legislation Maine Senators Promote Law Adding Gender ID to Fair Housing Act The Associated Press reported in June that Maine’s two U.S. senators are introduc- ing legislation designed to protect residents from housing discrimination that is based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Susan Collins, a Republican, and Angus King, an independent, are joining Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) in promoting the Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2019. They say the proposal would add gender identity and sexual orientation to the classes that are protected from discrimination by the Fair Housing Act. The lawmakers say that 21 states and more than 200 localities around the country extend housing discrimination protections in this way, according to the AP story. They also cited studies showing that same-sex applicants are more likely to be denied a mortgage than heterosexual cou- ples. The legislation is co-sponsored by 10 senators, all of whom are Democrats, the AP reported. House Committee Agrees on NFIP Extension through September 2024 House Financial Services Committee Chair Maxine Waters and Ranking Member Patrick McHenry reached an agreement in June on a five-year reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through Sept. 30, 2024, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) via a recent press release. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the NAR both expressed their satisfaction with the deal. “This legislation addresses many critical NAR priorities, including long-term reau- thorization, strengthening mapping and mitigation, and facilitating a more robust private insurance market,” NAR President John Smaby said. “The NFIP has played a critical role in determining the use and development of flood-prone areas and managing the risk of flooding for residential properties,” said the NAHB in its press statement. “A strong NFIP helps ensure that the housing industry can provide safe, decent and affordable housing to consumers under the direction of local jurisdictions. According to the NAHB, Waters and McHenry’s agreement would increase fund- ing for flood risk mapping and mitigation; provide premium credits for not currently recognized mitigation activity; create a new zone to account for levee-protected areas; and establish umbrella coverage options for multifamily development. Real Estate Got Millions? Check Out the Boston Penthouse Market Boston buyers looking for great views and luxury surroundings have some great options these days. Consider this penthouse at the Mandarin Oriental in Back Bay: the double unit at 776 Boylston Street offers 6,829 square feet on the inside and thousands more square feet on the outside, according to Curbed. The pent- house being marketed by Coldwell Banker’s Brigitte Petrocelli includes four bedrooms; four-and-a half bathrooms; a massage room off the main suite; an art gallery; double- sided ventless gas fireplace; a bar with stone countertops; and a home theater. Its outdoor space includes 2,500 square feet of private rooftop accessible via two private elevators and “an outdoor canine area.” The price? A cool $28 million. The condo fee, Curbed reported, is $13,000-plus, and entitles the owner to the Mandarin Oriental suite of services. Buyers looking for something a bit more affordable might consider a penthouse on Marlborough Street, also in Boston’s Back Bay, on the market for $3.25 million. Curbed reported that the 2,060-square-foot duplex in a building that dates from 1880 was restored in 2016, and includes two bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a 525-square-foot roof deck. The condo also comes with one deeded, direct-access parking space. Affordable Housing Renovated in Lynn, MA WinnCompanies has completed a $18.7 million rehabilitation of the Cobbet Hill Apartments in Lynn, Massachusetts, reno- vating 117 units of affordable housing for families and seniors, creating new common areas and amenity spaces, and modernizing the building’s key systems, the New England Real Estate Journal reported. In the 18-month project, Winn upgraded the kitchens and bathrooms in every apart- ment; installed new boilers and a new secu- rity system; created six new handicapped accessible apartments, a new community room and a fitness center; replaced the build- ing’s roof; repaired plumbing and masonry; and upgraded the electrical system. “Cobbet Hill is an example of our com- mitment as a long-term owner to invest in the quality of life for residents of our afford- able housing communities,” said WinnCos. CEO Gilbert Winn. “We own more than 100 properties in 11 states and the District of Columbia, including many of the apartment communities in Massachusetts that started the company nearly a half century ago.” In the News Car Sinks in Condo Swimming Pool Two women were rescued from a sinking SUV after it crashed through a fence and into a pool at a Middleton, Massachusetts condo- minium complex last month, according to a report on Boston’s WCVB-TV Fortunately, there were no injuries in the accident, which occurred in the morn- ing. According to local police, a 72-year-old driver thought her car was in park when it was actually in reverse. The vehicle jumped over a curb, through a fence and onto the pool deck. It reportedly teetered on the edge of the pool when rescuers arrived and helped two occupants out of the car to safety. The vehicle eventually slid into the Ironwood Condo Complex pool and was almost completely submerged before being hoisted out by a crane. There were no resi- dents in or around the pool at the time of the accident. According to the television report, resi- dents said a similar incident happened at the complex a couple of years ago, and the condo complex is looking at replacing the fence with something more solid. n Friday, July 12, 2019 Federal Accessibility Requirements for Multi-Family House Wasserstein Hall, Harvard Law School Campus, 1585 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA A team of nationally-recognized accessibility specialists leads this one-day intermediate- to-advanced workshop focusing on federal accessibility laws related to residential design and construction. This course will include review and discussion on the Fair Housing Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Architectural Barriers Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Visit the Boston Society of Architects at architects.org for details. Thursday, July 18-Friday, July 19, 2019 CAI: M-380 Litigation Training for Managers Southbridge, MA Learn how to prepare for the possibility of litigation. This course covers many topics leading up to, during, and following litiga- tion and what the community manager can do to be prepared for any situation. Topics include: preparing and responding to the possibility, likelihood and reality of litiga- tion; understanding the discovery process; selecting, preparing, and rebutting expert witnesses; using alternative dispute resolu- tion; preparing for trial and testifying in court; and evaluating post-trial realities and options. Register at www.caionline.org. Thursday, July 25, 2019 BOMA Emerging Professionals Summer Cruise Rowe’s Wharf Boston, MA 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Join BOMA Boston for a summer cruise hosted by the BOMA Emerging Professionals. Climb on board the Music City Queen to entertain clients, host a team outing, and network with friends and colleagues. Enjoy a live DJ, hors d’oeuvres, drink tickets, and great views of the Boston skyline! Visit bomaboston.org for details. Saturday, July 27, 2019 RHA Summer Cookout! Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. – RHA Tailgate Cookout 7:00 p.m. – New England Revolution Game The Rental Housing Association celebrates summer with a family-friendly tailgate cookout, complete with over 15 delicious food tents, drinks, fun games, activities for kids, and live music, courtesy of our Affiliate Sponsors. Then watch the New England Revolution take on the Orlando City Soccer Club at Gillette Stadium. To register, visit https://www.gbreb.com/RHA. CAL EN D AR July 2019 PULSE/CALENDAR