CAMBRIDGE, MA-Biotech companies here are reaping the benefits of the dot-com fallout as they grab the space the failing high-tech companies put on the market at a fraction of the price.

WATERTOWN, MA-Harvard University closes on its deal to purchase the historic 30-acre Arsenal here. The purchase has faced mounting opposition from town officials because of the tax-exempt status of the university.

BOSTON-A judge rules that the city administration was justified in not allowing the South Boston Betterment Trust to develop housing on city-owned land. The case was politically charged because of a recent scandal.

SOMERVILLE, MA-City Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay has proposed selling the current city hall annex and two other city-owned properties at 50 Bow Street and 83 Broadway in an effort to consolidate city services here.

HOPKINGTON, MA-EMC Corp., the data storage equipment maker, lays off 1,100 people due to a reduced growth rate. The company is in the process of a number of building projects in the state which, according to company officials, will continue for now.

FRAMINGHAM, MA-Genzyme Corp., a biotechnology and health care products company, plans to develop a 300,000-sf manufacturing plant here next to the company's existing campus. The plant is part of a company strategy to increase its manufacturing capacity.

TEWKSBURY, MA-A proposed land swap deal here that involves exchanging private land for a parcel from the local state-run hospital for development by a well-connected local businessman faces opposition from local residents as well as state politicians.

FRAMINGHAM, MA-Genzyme Corp., a biotechnology and health care products company, plans to develop a 300,000-sf manufacturing plant here next to the company's existing campus. The plant is part of a company strategy to increase its manufacturing capacity.