Boston’s mayor was met with skepticism seven years ago when he announced his plan to turn the city’s backwater Seaport neighborhood into “the Innovation District.” Actually “skepticism” is too mild a word – developers were dubious; Fort Point residents were infuriated; corporations were derisive and the press mercilessly mocked the man for his vision. Most, of course, were wise enough not to express these opinions in the mayor’s hearing.
Six years ago, office workers in rundown mill buildings looked at the amenities of the neighborhood – two Dunkin Donuts, two Metro convenience stores, a scattering of terrible restaurants and one shining star of a dive bar – and thought “Here? This? This is Boston’s future?”
We were all wrong. Today the Seaport is one of the hottest commercial real estate markets in the city and ranks among the top markets in the country and the world. GE’s move is only the latest evidence of the Seaport’s ascent. It seems every six months another parking lot disappears and a shiny new building stands in its place. Seaport Boulevard is a hotbed of construction, boasting corporate headquarters with worldwide name recognition.
And for those who live, work and play here, the restaurant scene has improved considerably. Chefs Barbara Lynch and Joanne Chang were two of the first to take the leap of faith; they have since been joined by Tavern Road, Row 34, Bee’s Knees and Ming Tsai’s Blue Dragon. Gourmet coffee at Barrington and wildly successful craft brewers Trillium soon followed – and Lucky’s, that gem of a dive bar, remains a popular spot.
Housing remains an issue in the so-called Innovation District (the name never really caught on). Luxury condominium towers sprout like mushrooms, which is great for those who can afford them, but increasingly pushes those who cannot farther out into the city’s limits. Southie’s gentrification has caused strife not only among long-term residents, but also among more temporary residents seeking affordability. More than one apartment-dweller has moved in only to be shocked a few weeks later when the landlord informed them that the building was to be converted to condos – all of which had been sold pre-conversion.
Transportation also remains a sticky subject, with much (continued) discussion about South Station’s expansion. With only two bridged access points, the neighborhood’s traffic is not yet overwhelmingly terrible (at least not any more than the rest of the city), but it grows worse with every new high-rise. Parking is becoming increasingly scarce, particularly in the winter months.
City planners are well aware of these issues and are taking steps to address them. Despite growing pains, the neighborhood known varyingly as Fort Point, the Seaport and yes, even the Innovation District, is an unparalleled success.
It’s a pity Menino is no longer here to see the success of the project he spearheaded, but it’s a lasting tribute to his vision – which was sometimes faulty, but always lofty – and to his legacy as Boston’s longest-serving mayor.
