James Sanna
@jamessanna.bsky.social
Now with 90 percent less Lindeman Center 😬 frog.
Managing editor at @BankerAndTradesman.bsky.social. Massachusetts real estate, banking and some transit news. Chelsea booster. Lurker, not a fighter.
🏳️🌈
Managing editor at @BankerAndTradesman.bsky.social. Massachusetts real estate, banking and some transit news. Chelsea booster. Lurker, not a fighter.
🏳️🌈
Reposted by James Sanna
Turns out the 1940s NYC Tax Department photographs (by WPA photogs) include outtakes, and they are so wonderful! 1940s.nyc/outtakes
August 10, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Turns out the 1940s NYC Tax Department photographs (by WPA photogs) include outtakes, and they are so wonderful! 1940s.nyc/outtakes
Reposted by James Sanna
i didn't agree to the embargo so i don't have many details. but the details i *do* have paint a pretty alarming picture.
August 7, 2025 at 8:34 PM
i didn't agree to the embargo so i don't have many details. but the details i *do* have paint a pretty alarming picture.
Reposted by James Sanna
This is worth reading in full, and is absolutely devastating.
🚨BREAKING: The last journalists working for AFP in Gaza have said they can no longer work for the news agency.
They are out of energy and they are starving to death.
I have never seen a statement from a news organisation like it.
🧵
They are out of energy and they are starving to death.
I have never seen a statement from a news organisation like it.
🧵
July 21, 2025 at 11:51 PM
This is worth reading in full, and is absolutely devastating.
Reposted by James Sanna
Really think people need to start applying nonresponse bias in every facet of survey research!
Consumer sentiment improving and inflation expectations falling.
Earlier: housing numbers beat.
Earlier: housing numbers beat.
July 18, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Really think people need to start applying nonresponse bias in every facet of survey research!
By the same token, this is also the same ego-driven/ego-forgiving culture that made the ME at one paper I worked at feel entitled to pull a junior reporter into the glass-walled conference room and scream at him for 30 minutes for a minor infraction.
There's probably more to the story, but the idea of a reporter filing a complaint because his editor yelled at him and made outlandish threats just makes me roll my eyes. In my day, that was a Tuesday. nypost.com/2025/05/07/m...
May 7, 2025 at 10:29 PM
By the same token, this is also the same ego-driven/ego-forgiving culture that made the ME at one paper I worked at feel entitled to pull a junior reporter into the glass-walled conference room and scream at him for 30 minutes for a minor infraction.
I'll cosign this. Was lucky enough to have this in my 20s and it helped make it worth re-upping the lease on an apartment with a linoleumed-over hole in the kitchen floor (and where I had the 0.5 of those bedrooms).
It’s actually the best amenity out there. Literally better than tripling the square feet of your place imo
I think this is the first time I've lived walking distance from a grocery store and I'm out of my mind about it. I'll walk there several times a day. Oh did I forget to grab something? No big deal I'll simply Walk To The Store
May 3, 2025 at 6:28 PM
I'll cosign this. Was lucky enough to have this in my 20s and it helped make it worth re-upping the lease on an apartment with a linoleumed-over hole in the kitchen floor (and where I had the 0.5 of those bedrooms).
Reposted by James Sanna
It’s *great* to have articles about the challenges facing recent college grads in the current low-hiring environment
BUT
I would also love to read articles about the similar challenges facing recent high school grads. If you’re a journalist, please consider writing about this!
BUT
I would also love to read articles about the similar challenges facing recent high school grads. If you’re a journalist, please consider writing about this!
A low hiring, low firing labor market disproportionately hurts younger workers, April 2024 update:
1/ High school grads in their late teens have averaged an unemployment of 14.5% over the last 12 months, an increase of 2.5 percentage points relative to early 2023.
1/ High school grads in their late teens have averaged an unemployment of 14.5% over the last 12 months, an increase of 2.5 percentage points relative to early 2023.
May 3, 2025 at 5:40 PM
It’s *great* to have articles about the challenges facing recent college grads in the current low-hiring environment
BUT
I would also love to read articles about the similar challenges facing recent high school grads. If you’re a journalist, please consider writing about this!
BUT
I would also love to read articles about the similar challenges facing recent high school grads. If you’re a journalist, please consider writing about this!
Reposted by James Sanna
Last week, Montana voted to:
- legalize 6-story apartments on most commercial land
- sharply cut multifamily parking mandates
- limit excess impact fees
- cut condo defect liability
- require equal treatment for manufactured homes
- legalize single-stair buildings up to 6 stories statewide
- legalize 6-story apartments on most commercial land
- sharply cut multifamily parking mandates
- limit excess impact fees
- cut condo defect liability
- require equal treatment for manufactured homes
- legalize single-stair buildings up to 6 stories statewide
Montana is leading the nation on pro-housing policy — but not by accident.
Montana's Housing Miracle Strikes Twice | Sightline Institute
Bipartisan efforts won a string of bills for more homes, lower costs, and less red tape for Montanans—with lessons for other states.
www.sightline.org
April 25, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Last week, Montana voted to:
- legalize 6-story apartments on most commercial land
- sharply cut multifamily parking mandates
- limit excess impact fees
- cut condo defect liability
- require equal treatment for manufactured homes
- legalize single-stair buildings up to 6 stories statewide
- legalize 6-story apartments on most commercial land
- sharply cut multifamily parking mandates
- limit excess impact fees
- cut condo defect liability
- require equal treatment for manufactured homes
- legalize single-stair buildings up to 6 stories statewide
Reposted by James Sanna
New guidance from DOJ on leaks and news media offers a new, more authoritarian policy
April 25, 2025 at 8:38 PM
New guidance from DOJ on leaks and news media offers a new, more authoritarian policy
Reposted by James Sanna
ICYMI, back before the election we did a whole show on Fed independence and what happens if it goes away.
www.marketplace.org/story/2024/1...
www.marketplace.org/story/2024/1...
In a 2nd Trump term, Fed independence would go “out the window,” economist says
Kai Ryssdal explores what would happen to the global economy if the Federal Reserve lost its autonomy.
www.marketplace.org
April 18, 2025 at 11:20 AM
ICYMI, back before the election we did a whole show on Fed independence and what happens if it goes away.
www.marketplace.org/story/2024/1...
www.marketplace.org/story/2024/1...
Reposted by James Sanna
this is so easy to do and so important for the people around you in the workplace and more people should do it
Got my job review from my VP today.
Something they prominently called-out was how often I promote other people and call out their contributions to a project, of which I'd normally be the only surface of. Especially to people who are lower in the org structure, who have no chance to get attention.
Something they prominently called-out was how often I promote other people and call out their contributions to a project, of which I'd normally be the only surface of. Especially to people who are lower in the org structure, who have no chance to get attention.
April 18, 2025 at 1:11 AM
this is so easy to do and so important for the people around you in the workplace and more people should do it
Reposted by James Sanna
If a major transit project can't be completed in 4 years there's a risk that it will be canceled entirely if control of the White House changes parties. It's an under-appreciated aspect of the "separation of parties" thesis: Infrastructure is term limited www.transportation.gov/briefing-roo...
April 14, 2025 at 9:55 PM
If a major transit project can't be completed in 4 years there's a risk that it will be canceled entirely if control of the White House changes parties. It's an under-appreciated aspect of the "separation of parties" thesis: Infrastructure is term limited www.transportation.gov/briefing-roo...
Usually a good recipe.
Regular reminder that @wired.com has been running circles around many other outlets precisely because their brand of journalism does not rely on "access" so they can be as combative as they want.
If the White House Press Corps won't do difficult things or ask hard questions for fear of losing access then they should be plainly stating that we have an authoritarian government.
April 14, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Usually a good recipe.
Reposted by James Sanna
To me the most importing thing about today is that they knew what this would do to the market, and did it anyway.
If nothing else, that ought to tell you what time it is.
If nothing else, that ought to tell you what time it is.
April 2, 2025 at 10:49 PM
To me the most importing thing about today is that they knew what this would do to the market, and did it anyway.
If nothing else, that ought to tell you what time it is.
If nothing else, that ought to tell you what time it is.
Reposted by James Sanna
An analysis of the first 2 months of New York City's congestion pricing policy shows that road speeds increased and emissions decreased inside and out of the congestion zone, from Cook, Kreidieh, Vasserman, Allcott, Arora, van Sambeek, Tomkins, and Turkel https://www.nber.org/papers/w33584
March 23, 2025 at 9:00 PM
An analysis of the first 2 months of New York City's congestion pricing policy shows that road speeds increased and emissions decreased inside and out of the congestion zone, from Cook, Kreidieh, Vasserman, Allcott, Arora, van Sambeek, Tomkins, and Turkel https://www.nber.org/papers/w33584
Reposted by James Sanna
Lexington just went from the poster child for the MBTA Communities law's potential to making deep cuts to its multifamily zoning in the face of a development boom.
March 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Lexington just went from the poster child for the MBTA Communities law's potential to making deep cuts to its multifamily zoning in the face of a development boom.
Reposted by James Sanna
Agree with this. There’s a lot of downside to the 2023-2024 growth pace. Mechanically via lower immigration is a big part of it. But expectations can only carry that downside so far, so it’s talking about slow growth rather than a recession barring accelerating macro shocks from here.
“Multiple compression in large cap US/tech stocks, stagnant real incomes due to the impact of tariffs, a gradual rise in unemployment, and a worsening 2026 capex outlook” feels like the bad-but-not-black-swan 2025 economic/market scenario.
March 15, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Agree with this. There’s a lot of downside to the 2023-2024 growth pace. Mechanically via lower immigration is a big part of it. But expectations can only carry that downside so far, so it’s talking about slow growth rather than a recession barring accelerating macro shocks from here.
www.redfin.com/MA/Weston/67...
This 90s-tastic house for sale in Weston has me wondering when my childhood is going to enter the jurisdiction of historical commissions.
This 90s-tastic house for sale in Weston has me wondering when my childhood is going to enter the jurisdiction of historical commissions.
67 Byron Rd, Weston, MA 02493 - 7 beds/12 baths
(MLS PIN) For Sale: 7 beds, 12 baths ∙ 18725 sq. ft. ∙ 67 Byron Rd, Weston, MA 02493 ∙ $19,850,000 ∙ MLS# 73341360 ∙ Timeless elegance meets modern luxury in this extraordinary Weston estate, situated...
www.redfin.com
March 14, 2025 at 8:44 PM
www.redfin.com/MA/Weston/67...
This 90s-tastic house for sale in Weston has me wondering when my childhood is going to enter the jurisdiction of historical commissions.
This 90s-tastic house for sale in Weston has me wondering when my childhood is going to enter the jurisdiction of historical commissions.
Reposted by James Sanna
I wrote about the new frontier in land use reform: building codes slate.com/business/202...
A New Way to Fix the Housing Crisis
One man’s quest to fix the way we build.
slate.com
February 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM
I wrote about the new frontier in land use reform: building codes slate.com/business/202...
Reposted by James Sanna
Re-upping this thread in your feeds as Bluesky seemed to be having ✨a moment✨ when we first posted it.
Legalizing two-family developments statewide? Eliminating parking minimums? Legalizing smaller single-stair apartment buildings?
Those are just a few of the dozens of ideas a Gov. Maura Healey-appointed commission has come up with to boost housing production in Massachusetts.
Those are just a few of the dozens of ideas a Gov. Maura Healey-appointed commission has come up with to boost housing production in Massachusetts.
February 21, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Re-upping this thread in your feeds as Bluesky seemed to be having ✨a moment✨ when we first posted it.
Reposted by James Sanna
Legalizing two-family developments statewide? Eliminating parking minimums? Legalizing smaller single-stair apartment buildings?
Those are just a few of the dozens of ideas a Gov. Maura Healey-appointed commission has come up with to boost housing production in Massachusetts.
Those are just a few of the dozens of ideas a Gov. Maura Healey-appointed commission has come up with to boost housing production in Massachusetts.
February 21, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Legalizing two-family developments statewide? Eliminating parking minimums? Legalizing smaller single-stair apartment buildings?
Those are just a few of the dozens of ideas a Gov. Maura Healey-appointed commission has come up with to boost housing production in Massachusetts.
Those are just a few of the dozens of ideas a Gov. Maura Healey-appointed commission has come up with to boost housing production in Massachusetts.
More cats with this name, please.
A cat from Dorchester named Marmaduke Shillyshanks made headlines in newspapers across the country in 1934.
February 21, 2025 at 1:41 PM
More cats with this name, please.
Reposted by James Sanna
Poasting to policy pipeline keeps working
By a 42-6 vote, the Washington Senate just approved a bill directing the state to adopt standards for passenger and freight elevators that are more reflective of global standards, including a specific requirement to allow smaller elevators in buildings with fewer than 25 units.
February 19, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Poasting to policy pipeline keeps working
🚨🚨 indeed.
A source tells us the Fortis Property Group-owned building has $765 million in senior debt and $145 million in mezzanine financing.
A source tells us the Fortis Property Group-owned building has $765 million in senior debt and $145 million in mezzanine financing.
🚨🚨 Lenders are calling time on the first big Boston office tower struggling with post-COVID vacancy problems.
One Lincoln Office Tower Headed to Auction
Lenders scheduled a real estate auction for the 1.1 million-square-foot One Lincoln tower in Boston, in the biggest example of fallout from the downtown office market’s post-pandemic distress.
bankerandtradesman.com
February 14, 2025 at 9:28 PM
🚨🚨 indeed.
A source tells us the Fortis Property Group-owned building has $765 million in senior debt and $145 million in mezzanine financing.
A source tells us the Fortis Property Group-owned building has $765 million in senior debt and $145 million in mezzanine financing.
Reposted by James Sanna
High land costs & the appeal of living in single-family homes make it challenging for investors to want to replace single-family homes with just a few housing units.
Given the situation in places like DC, you need to enable many more units for projects to pencil out.
Given the situation in places like DC, you need to enable many more units for projects to pencil out.
February 12, 2025 at 5:55 PM
High land costs & the appeal of living in single-family homes make it challenging for investors to want to replace single-family homes with just a few housing units.
Given the situation in places like DC, you need to enable many more units for projects to pencil out.
Given the situation in places like DC, you need to enable many more units for projects to pencil out.