BELMONT, MA-A rezoning plan that would enable O'Neill Properties Group to develop a 250,000-sf office building here in Belmont Uplands is rejected. The company says it would consider developing an affordable-housing project on the site instead.

BOSTON-Franciscan Friars get into the real estate business with their release of a request for proposal to redevelop St. Anthony's Shrine here on 100 Arch St. in Downtown Crossing. The Order is looking to take advantage of the 11-story building's prime location by adding a mixed-use development.

CAMBRIDGE, MA-One Cambridge Center, one of the 12 Kendall Square buildings that make up Cambridge Center, is fully leased due to a number deals. The mixed-use urban center developed by Boston Properties provides over two million sf of space.

HYANNIS, MA-TA Associates Realty sells two grocery-anchored shopping centers, here and in Warwick, Rhode Island, for $26.5 million and $16.15 million, respectively. A broker involved in the deal tells GobeSt.com that the level of interest in the properties testifies to the strength of this market right now.

NATICK, MA-The state's Chapter 40B law is put to the test here as a developer insists that this town's zoning board of appeals cannot lawfully deny it a comprehensive permit because the town has not met its affordable-housing requirement.

STURBRIDGE, MA-Microtel Inns & Suites enters the state by opening the chain's first hotel here near Routes 90 and 84. Microtel's parent company, US Franchise Systems, states that the company is looking into continuing to expand its presence in the New England region.

BOSTON-The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority's recent decision to delay toll hikes causes Moody's Investors Services to revise its outlook for the agency from stable to negative. The Wall Street firm is concerned over MassPike's ability to pay for its share of the Big Dig costs.

CAMBRIDGE, MA-A proposal by Harvard University to develop a pair of art museums here in the Riverside section of the city is met with intense local opposition and prompts the city to impose an 18-month building moratorium on the area.