In a celebration event hosted today, MASCO Inc., the non-profit organization that serves as the chief planner and principal steward of the Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA), was honored by The Boston Women’s Workforce Council (BWWC) with its third annual Innovative Initiatives Award for its work in driving measurable progress on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. MASCO’s President and CEO David Sweeney was officially presented with the award, along with co-honorees C-Space and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

The MASCO Services Inc. Call Center has been an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting its member organizations and businesses, while also providing service to the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in launching a COVID-19 testing program by providing telecommunications and call center solutions.

MASCO’s Transportation Team held a luncheon on Friday, April 1, honoring the work of all Shuttle Drivers, Mechanics, Cleaners, and Supervisors that provided shuttle services to the LMA throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. Each staff member was presented with a commemorative pin honoring their service, as well as a letter expressing the gratitude of the entire Longwood community.

T keeps LMA front and center with service changes

The MBTA recently changed the origins and destinations of its B (Boston College), C (Cleveland Circle), and D (Riverside) branches. Longwood is served by two stops on the D Line, including Fenway and Longwood, and four stops on the E Line, including the MFA, LMA, Brigham Circle, and Fenwood Road. The two stops on the D Line account for 25% of daily boardings across all D Line stations, and the four stops on the E Line account for 45% of daily boardings across all E Line stations.

As we usher in fall, we are saying farewell to the Outside// 2021 season. The umbrellas, game cart, and ping pong table will be stowed for winter in the coming weeks. Outdoor seating will remain through mid-November, weather permitting. Outside// transforms the public spaces in Longwood to support the needs of the thousands of people that come to the area every day to work, learn, and heal, creating space for the community to come together.

Medical & Academic Area grew jobs 2x as fast as MA, now accounts for 1 of every 10 jobs in Boston

A new report analyzing economic development in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area shows Longwood now has one of the highest concentrations of jobs in Boston, increasing by nearly 30%, or nearly 15,000 jobs, in only 10 years, double Massachusetts’ growth rate during the same period. Employment in Longwood reached a historic high of nearly 68,000 jobs, exceeding other prominent hubs, such as Kendall Square and the Seaport, by 32% and 80%, respectively.

“Today, we honor and remember the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, their families, and the heroic actions of our first responders and medical professionals during a time of unimaginable tragedy. One Boston Day is a symbol of Boston’s resiliency and the strength of our community. That same strength has helped us together get through the crisis of a pandemic. Be kind to one another and be safe. We are Boston Strong, forever.” David Sweeney, President and CEO, MASCO

After more than a decade of advocacy by MASCO on behalf of its members, the new commuter rail platform at Ruggles Station opened on April 5th, significantly increasing train capacity at Ruggles and improving access to the Longwood Medical and Academic Area.

MASCO is proud to have played a key role in coordinating and securing funding for the new platform and other station improvements, working in partnership with the state and neighboring stakeholders to pursue a $20 million federal TIGER grant that was awarded in 2014.

As part of the successful Outside// programming, MASCO announced that food trucks will continue to be available for lunch in the Longwood Area through April. Food trucks will be at 2 Blackfan Circle Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please wear a mask and stay socially distanced from other people when visiting a food truck. The April schedule can be found at longwoodoutside.org and regular updates, including how to order ahead, will be posted on twitter.com/MASCOLMA.

From David Sweeney, President and CEO:

"The murder of eight people yesterday in Georgia, six of them Asian American women, was an act so abhorrent that it can be hard to find the words. I am saddened for their families and the Atlanta community. Like many of us, I am shaken by the undercurrent of hate that continues to threaten our country.