Over the past three decades, Boston has been transformed from a city with mostly historic buildings, small shopping hubs and limited restaurants into a thriving metropolis.  From the Boston Harbor cleanup starting in the 1980s to the Big Dig to the Seaport Square project, the city is constantly moving forward—and the evolution continues.

In fact, we at JM Electrical are so excited about the region’s march of progress that we decided to create a list of Ten Big-Time Development Events for 2016-2017. Here’s our list:

1. Millennium Tower opens at Downtown Crossing; A true neighborhood is born

Construction for the 60-story residential skyscraper began in September 2013, after Millennium Partners purchased the former site of Filene’s Basement and finally began to fill the long-standing hole in the heart of Boston’s shopping district. Boasting a total of 442 residences, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a state-of-the-art spa and gym, and exclusive dining provided by award-winning chefs, Millennium Tower recently opened to residents with full in-house staff and completed amenities. The building rose with the help of 65 subcontractors, including JM Electrical. The influx of local residents to a once predominantly business-oriented area has begun the transition of downtown Boston into a true, neighborhood community.

2. Bruins Practice Ice Rink opens as Allston-Brighton’s Boston Landing takes off

The opening of Warrior Ice Arena, the Bruins’ new training facility, adds one of the most noteworthy elements to fast-emerging Boston Landing neighborhood. Construction began at the site in December 2014, and the rink will be ready for use by the Bruins in September. The arena is solely hockey focused, hosting college, high school, youth and amateur hockey, and can seat up to 660 spectators. Boston Landing will be a place for athletes and sports fan alike, with the headquarters of New Balance Athletics, Inc. and the soon-to-be finished Celtics training facility just next door. Anchored by the new commuter rail station, Boston Landing will revamp the Allston-Brighton area into a dynamic environment for local workers, residents and shoppers as another new neighborhood is born.

3. Partners Healthcare Building fully occupied; 5000 people pour into Assembly Row each day

Assembly Row is one of Greater Boston’s most rapidly growing developments. Construction began in 2014, bringing with it acres of retail space, new restaurants, movie theatres, hundreds of residences and thousands of jobs. About 5,000 of those jobs alone come from the newest addition to Assembly Row, Partners Healthcare. JM installed an automation system fit for the 750,000 square foot facility that is both reliable and energy efficient. The LEED Certified building adds to the region’s numerous initiatives to go green and advance sustainable efforts in Greater Boston.

4. Buildings continue to rise, hot restaurants open; Kendall Square takes on new life

Long known as a place to work but not to play, Cambridge’s Kendall Square has turned that reputation around as it has become one of the latest centers of both innovation and nightlife in the Greater Boston area. With state-of-the-art lab spaces, residences, office spaces, award-winning eateries and plenty of activities, Kendall Square has evolved into a unique, thriving community. The area is no stranger to innovation, with MIT right around the corner, and hosts more than 50,000 workers every day – which is why some of the area’s hottest restaurants, such as Catalyst, Area Four and Abigail’s have opened in recent years. JM Electrical has worked on several projects in the area, including installing advanced automation systems for MIT.Nano and Novartis.

5. Avalon North Station opens; Long awaited North Station rejuvenation begins

After years of back and forth construction plans, Avalon North Station – located right next to the TD Garden arena – is nearing completion. The 636,000 square foot project will stretch to 38 stories and will include single bedroom units, multi-bedroom units, and more affordable “micro-apartments” (one-room living spaces that are designed to hold a sitting space, bathroom and kitchenette). The development will also feature a four floor garage. After nearly a decade of waiting, this development will jumpstart the revitalization of North Station and its surrounding area.

6. The Pierce at the corner of Boylston and Brookline Ave nears completion, putting an exclamation point on Fenway’s resurgence

Pierce Boston, Fenway’s newest residential tower, is located at the corner of Boylston and Brookline Avenue – a sort of gateway to the newly reinvigorated Boylston Street, now home to residences and big name brands like Target and Wahlburgers. With exceptional views of Boston and Fenway Park, the 30-story, 390,460 square foot development will hold 109 condominium units, 240 rental units and 20,500 square feet of retail space. Sales launched on July 15 for the luxury apartments, which are still under construction, and 30 percent of the condos were already purchased before the official sales launch. With the addition of The Pierce, the area’s transformation into a lively neighborhood in the heart of Fenway will be complete.

7. Winthrop Square garage gets approved; Financial District gets a new mega tower

Millennium Partners recently began negotiations with the City of Boston for a proposed 750-foot tower located at the now closed Winthrop Square Garage in the Financial District. Plans for the tower include 14 stories of office space and 36 levels of residential space. It would also include a 14,620 square foot startup accelerator which will be developed in partnership with the city. The development will continue downtown Boston’s move toward residential living and economic improvement, following in the footsteps of the developer’s most recent project, Millennium Tower.

8. Green Line extension gets approved; Union Square ready for take off

Nothing benefits the city more than public transportation, and the long-awaited approval of the Green Line Extension (GLX) project will finally have the chance to put its imprint on Somerville’s growing Union Square, as well as several other areas of Somerville and Medford. The 4.3-mile extension will make the area much more accessible and will attract thousands of new Green Line users. It is estimated that the extension will serve about 45,000 riders each day, eliminating at least 26,000 vehicular miles traveled on the highway and reducing traffic. This newfound accessibility will attract even more startups, coffee houses, restaurants, and homes to the already burgeoning Union Square scene.

9. Harvard’s new innovation center breaks ground; Another step forward for Allston-Brighton

Ingenuity meets community with Harvard’s concept for a new innovation center in Allston-Brighton. Harvard plans on developing a neighborhood where companies take advantage of research going on at Harvard, MIT, Boston University, the Longwood Medical Area, and other institutions. The university is hoping to foster an entrepreneurial spirit in its students, begun when it opened the Innovation Lab nearby in 2011. The plans for the innovation center line it up to be the next Kendall Square, enabling future economic growth in the area that will proliferate throughout Greater Boston.

10. Dorchester/UMass station

The largest neighborhood in Boston, Dorchester is already home to more than 160,000 residents. It is also the fourth-most popular community for students living off-campus. With UMass Boston scheduled to open their own Boston dorms by 2018, located right by the UMass/JFK T stop on the red line, the population will increase and attract more student living. Not only that, but Hub 25 Apartments—which JM recently installed a control system for—is now leasing in Dorchester at 25 Morrissey Boulevard, right next to Star Market as well as the red line. With Dorchester being so easily accessible by the MBTA, it is no wonder it is becoming such a Boston hotspot.