Union hammers out office plan

Scott Van Voorhis of the Boston Herald reported on the New England Regional Council of Carpenters new headquarters. His story, quoted below, can be read here.

Sporting wind turbines and an LED sign, IBEW 103 union's complex alongside the Southeast Expressway is a hard act to beat.

But it may soon have some worthy competition.

The New England Regional Council of Carpenters is pushing ahead with plans for a new headquarters and training center next to the bustling commuter highway.

While the carpenters' new spread won't open until 2010, the labor organization already has some temporary signage up with plans for a more permanent - and eye-catching - display down the line.

The 24,000-member labor group recently acquired the Archdiocese of Boston's one-time laundry facility at 750 Dorchester Ave. The group plans to renovate and expand the vacant building.