🏠 The rent control debate for dummies

It's Thursday, Boston.

☀️ Only 17 more days until my serotonin levels come out of hibernation, a.k.a., 17 days until Daylight Saving Time.

👀 What’s on tap today:

• Boston’s nightlife hopes

• RIP Spencer

• A ChatGPT IPA

Up first…

HOUSING

The rent control debate for dummies

Boston’s rent control debate starts now. The City held its first public hearing on Mayor Wu’s plan calling for rent stabilization this week, opening public discussion on a hot-button issue that’s been a core part of her campaign. Here’s where we’re at:

📝 To recap: Mayor Wu recently filed a home-rule petition that would limit how much landlords could hike rent on returning tenants. The plan would cap annual rent increases at 6% plus inflation, maxing out at 10% during high-inflation years. So if the city’s Consumer Price Index was 2% one year (tbt), the plan would cap rent increases at 8%.

👀 But there are some exceptions. Small owner-occupied properties (like triple deckers) and new construction in the first 15 years wouldn’t have to follow these rules. So the plan would impact about half of Boston’s rental units.

😡 Some think it doesn’t do enough. While rent control can be a touchy subject, experts consider Wu’s plan to be pretty modest compared with Mass.’ previous rent control laws that were banned in 1994. Rebekha Stovell, an organizer with New England United for Justice, shared in the hearing that she thinks the rent control cap should be at 5%, not 10%, and that the 15-year exemption for new buildings should be brought down to five years to actually have an impact on communities.

🏚️ Some think it will make the housing crisis worse. Opponents argue it will decrease the already low housing supply (making rent more expensive) and that landlords won’t make enough money to make proper updates to units. And the “no” side is going hard on this, as the Greater Boston Real Estate Board just launched a $400,000 marketing blitz to convince Boston residents that this proposal will only aggravate the housing crisis.

👍 But one thing is for certain: There is support for some kind of rent control. A 2021 survey found that more than 59% of Boston voters would “strongly” support rent control to prevent landlords from raising rents too much.

🙋 What’re your thoughts? The city will be hosting a community feedback session on March 2 where the public is welcome to voice their opinions on the proposal.

CITY

Quick & dirty headlines

💃 Introducing Boston’s nightlife leader. Corean Reynolds has been tapped for what might be the most interesting city job I’ve ever heard of: director of nightlife economy. She’ll be responsible for sprucing up Boston’s relatively buttoned up late-night scene. In a press conference, she said her priorities lie in increasing nightlife options throughout all neighborhoods and improving after hours transportation. Just don’t get too excited about happy hour drink specials coming back.

🐶 Spencer has gone to doggy heaven. The official dog of the Boston Marathon known for holding a “Boston Strong” flag in his mouth passed away last week after another difficult battle with cancer. Rain or shine, you could usually spot him near Ashland State Park around mile 3 on the course for the last nine years. But this year, you’ll just see Penny, Spencer’s four-legged sister, who will be on the course to carry out his legacy. And I am unwell after watching his tribute video.

🏠 Looking for a Cape house? You’re in luck. Local booking sites are reporting more availability for Cape Cod rentals right now than during the same time last year — even during the busiest weeks. One rental booking property says they’re about 60% booked as of now compared to 80% to 85% booked this time last year. There’s no one clear reason why, but it's likely a mix of more short-term rentals on the market, thanks to people who bought second homes during the pandemic, and more people venturing beyond Mass. for vacation now that COVID has declined.

🍺 Artificial intelligence made Night Shift Brewing’s newest beer. Kind of. Night Shift’s staff asked ChatGPT to come up with everything from the recipe, to the name, to the beer label itself. And now they’re introducing A-IPA (ha!), a 7.5% Hazy IPA with notes of mango, orange pith, and pine. You can get it in cans now at the Everett taproom and at the Lovejoy Wharf location later this week. Their team filmed the creation process which you can watch here. It’s really cool, but also kind of terrifying.

ONE LAST THING

Kowloon kicks

Shoes based on your favorite Rt. 1 restaurant? Say less.

Kowloon, Saugus’ iconic 73-year-old Asian restaurant, released a run of 100 limited edition custom Nike sneakers. The shoes, pictured above, were dreamed up by Kowloon co-owner Bob Wong and hand-painted by sneaker artist Josué Mendez.

If you were hoping to snag a pair for yourself, you’re out of luck for now. The sneakers went for $495 and were sold out within three days. But Wong is planning a second run with the profits going to charity.

👟 Thanks for reading! $20 says I find these shoes on Facebook Marketplace listed for $1,000.

💃 Keep up with us @BostonBSide on IG, TikTok, and Twitter. Send comments and suggestions to [email protected].