Business

Athenahealth to Pay $18.25 Million for Taking Kickbacks

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The following release was provided by the U.S. Department of Justice:

A national electronic health records (EHR) technology vendor based in Watertown, Massachusetts, athenahealth Inc. (Athena), has agreed to pay $18.25 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by paying unlawful kickbacks to generate sales of its EHR product, athenaClinicals, the Justice Department announced today. In a complaint filed in conjunction with today’s settlement, the United States alleged that Athena violated the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute through three marketing programs. First, Athena invited prospective and existing customers to “Concierge Events,” providing free tickets to and amenities at sporting, entertainment, and recreational events, including trips to the Masters Tournament and the Kentucky Derby with complimentary travel and luxury accommodations, meals, and alcohol. Second, Athena paid kickbacks to its existing customers under a “Lead Generation” program designed to identify and refer new prospective clients to Athena. Under this program, Athena paid up to $3,000 to existing customers for each new client that signed up for Athena services, regardless of how much time, if any, the existing customer spent speaking to or meeting with the new client. Finally, Athena entered into deals with competing vendors that were discontinuing their EHR technology offerings to refer their clients to Athena.

Business

Construction Underway on 9-Story Biotech Building at Arsenal Yards

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A rendering of what the nine-story 100 Forge building at Arsenal Yards will look like. Developers are creating 165,000 sq. ft. of space for biotech companies. The following announcement was provided by Boylston Properties:

Boylston Properties, a Boston-based developer of mixed-use destinations, and institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management, announced a joint venture agreement to proceed with plans to construct 100 Forge, a nine-story 165,600-square-foot lab building at Arsenal Yards in Watertown.

Real Estate

Three Open Houses to Visit in Watertown This Week

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See this week’s Watertown open house list. $449,000 – 264 Lexington St. Unit 264, Condo – Townhouse, 1,072 Living Area Sq. Ft., 6 Room, 2 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom, Open House: Saturday, 11:30-1

$584,900 – 194 Watertown Unit 194, Condo – 2/3 Family, 1,425 Living Area Sq. Ft., 6 Room, 2 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12:30-2:30

$495,000 – 15 Adams St.

Business

Roche Bros. Hiring Hundreds for New Watertown Store

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Roche Bros. will be opening a location at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, and the store is hiring hundreds of employees. Roche Bros.’ Head of Recruitment, Andrew Coletti, said the store has begun looking to hire people in a variety of roles at the new store. “We are hiring over 200 people for our new Watertown Store,” Coletti said.

Business

New Owners of Arsenal on Charles Discussing Additions to Site at Community Meeting

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Building 1 is one of the new additions to the Arsenal on the Charles proposed to be built by the new owners. The following information was provided by Alexandria Real Estate Equities:

Please join Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (ARE) for a review and discussion on conceptual plans for the Arsenal on the Charles (AOTC) campus, which ARE purchased from Athena Arsenal, LLC in late 2019. The purpose of these meetings will be to present and discuss ARE’s proposed plans to redevelop AOTC into a collaborative and innovative campus including life science, office, retail, and community uses, as well as publicly accessible open spaces and streetscape improvements. Discussion will highlight the changes from Athena Arsenal LLC’s previously approved Campus Master Plan Special Permit and Site Plan Review (PB-2016-01) as well as conceptual designs for the new buildings and the associated public realm including pedestrian and bicycle connectivity tothe adjacent neighborhoods. (note: postings will be available online prior to the first meeting)

An overhead view of Arsenal on the Charles, showing the proposed new additions: Building 1, Building 2, the Connector and Site D.

We will be hosting two community information meetings: one on February 3rd, and the other on March 11th.

Business

Watertown Restaurant First Awardee of Group Looking to Save Local Eateries

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Watertown’s Donohue’s Bar & Grill received the first grant from the Step Up to the Table Foundation, a group looking to save local restaurants during COVID-19. Donohue’s was nominated by Josh Vernon, who sent in a letter talking about how much the restaurant has given back to the community since it opened in 1998, particularly to the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. “When you mention Donohue’s to anyone from the Watertown area, they think of family and a wonderful place to gather together for all reasons JD would never ask for help, so as a friend and customer I felt he deserved this nomination so he can continue giving back to his community and supporting his staff,” Vernon wrote in his nomination. Like restaurants across Massachusetts, Donohue’s has faced many hurdles during the pandemic, from being closed in the early days of COVID, to continued reduction of capacity and other restrictions. See a video, below, posted by the Step Up to the Table Foundation when it told owner JD Donohue about the grant: