BOSTON — The University of Massachusetts has approved a $235 million deal to lease the site of the former Bayside Expo Center in Boston to a private developer.
UMass officials on Thursday described the selection of Accordia Partners as the first major step toward redeveloping the 20-acre waterfront site that sits next to the UMass-Boston campus.
Accordia plans to build a mixed-use “urban innovation” project that will include commercial space and housing.
Proceeds from the deal will go to UMass-Boston, which has faced serious financial issues in recent years.
University president Martin Meehan says the infusion of money would allow for campus expansion and new partnerships between the school and private companies.
Some faculty members expressed concern in advance of the vote by UMass trustees that the lease could cause “long-term harm” for UMass-Boston.
BOSTON — Two residents were injured and three were rescued from windows by firefighters during a fire at an apartment building for the elderly in Boston.
Fire Commissioner Joseph Finn says one resident suffered from smoke inhalation and the other fell while trying to escape the 25-unit Boston Housing Authority building in the city’s Brighton neighborhood Thursday morning. He says their injuries are not life threatening.
No flames were visible but in pictures posted on the department’s Twitter feed smoke was seen pouring from windows in the five-story building.
He says the department struck four alarms because of the “high risk population,” but the fire was limited to a single second-story unit.
The cause is under investigation.
FALL RIVER — Authorities in Massachusetts are investigating the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old boy.
A spokesman for the Bristol district attorney says Fall River police responded to a 911 call about a stabbing during an altercation at about 11:55 p.m. Wednesday.
First responders found 17-year-old William Wheeler lying on the floor of an apartment suffering from an apparent stab wound. He was taken to St. Anne’s Hospital where he was declared dead just before 1 a.m. Thursday.
The stabbing remains under investigation and no one has been arrested.
No other information was immediately released.
BOSTON — The family of a Massachusetts woman killed on her way to work when a 200-pound manhole cover flew up and crashed through her vehicle’s windshield has sued the state Transportation Department and two contractors.
The wrongful death suit filed by Caitlin Clavette’s family this week alleges the manhole cover did not fit the frame on which it was seated and had “severely deteriorated.” The suit seeks unspecified damages.
Clavette, a 35-year-old elementary school art teacher, was driving on Interstate 93 in Boston on Feb. 12, 2016, when another vehicle dislodged the cast iron manhole cover and sent it flying.
The state Transportation Department in a statement said Clavette’s death was a tragedy but it could not comment on pending litigation. One contractor declined comment while the other couldn’t be reached.
SALEM — A jury has rejected the insanity defense of a man charged with strangling his estranged wife.
The Salem jury rejected 48-year-old Axel Scherer’s argument of lack of criminal responsibility, otherwise known as an insanity defense, and found him guilty of second-degree murder on Wednesday. The Salem News reports Scherer faces an automatic sentence of life in prison with eligibility for parole after 15 years.
Prosecutors say the Beverly man strangled 45-year-old Edith Black-Scherer on Nov. 16, 2015 then walked into the Beverly police station to tell officers what he had done. Black-Scherer was found alive, but later died at a hospital.
Scherer — who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder but was found competent to stand trial — remains held at a psychiatric facility.
Scherer’s lawyer declined comment.
NEW LONDON, Conn. — A Massachusetts man has been charged with stealing four Rolex watches worth a combined $73,600 from a Connecticut casino.
The Norwich Bulletin reports that 47-year-old Thomas Nee pleaded not guilty Wednesday to larceny and other charges.
Police say the Dedham, Massachusetts man was captured on video surveillance taking the watches at Foxwoods Resort Casino in December 2012.
Police say Nee went into the back room of Foxwoods Watch Co., ripped open a locked display cabinet door and put the watches in his pocket before leaving.
The theft was discovered about 15 minutes later.
Nee has previous convictions in Massachusetts for armed robbery, breaking and entering, and assault.
He was held on $20,000 bond. His public defender did not return a call.
From Associated Press