It’s no secret that millions of residential real estate development dollars have been poured into South Boston in recent years. The evidence of new construction is abundant on seemingly every corner.
Take, for example, the immediate area around the Broadway T stop, where a major new development sits at 50 West Broadway and more apartments are proposed for 22 to 26 West Broadway. Or East Broadway, where residential properties and small businesses galore on the eastern end of the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare make it a bustling boulevard.
But not all of South Boston is a real estate success. One part that could really use some sprucing up is the section that greets visitors after they pass through the area around the construction activity and buses hovering at the T station. That section is an entire stretch of West Broadway, Southie’s main thoroughfare, from about the South Boston Bypass Road to D Street. And considering its multiple empty lots, vacant storefronts and industrial uses, the area could probably use some investment, neighborhood stakeholders say.
Traveling past D Street, Shenannigan’s and the Clock Tavern pub, new real estate projects become more prominent on the landscape. The former South Boston Tribune building is being redeveloped into 24 rental units with 20 parking spaces and ground floor retail. And a major new residential project just took the place of a vacant lot at 376 West Broadway. From there to points east in the neighborhood, the residential market has been booming, driving investment and new construction.
A well-known Boston residential developer that has considered investing in the area said one obstacle to development is the neighborhood itself. Southie residents are known for their vocal opposition to any change in the neighborhood, particularly real estate projects, said the developer, who asked for anonymity.
“Redevelopment doesn’t happen all at once,” said Melina Schuler, spokesperson for the Boston Redevelopment Authority. “Market forces and land ownership play a role in making land available and will impact the timeline for redevelopment. We view the land on West Broadway as a great asset now, and land that has great potential for the future. The [Liberty Bell] roast beef shop is still a bustling business. The area around the Broadway T stop that has been redeveloped had been vacant lots previously.”
Infill Interest
Despite the challenges West Broadway faces, not everyone in the area wants to see shovels in the ground.
“Some people in the neighborhood think development has been very quick in the last couple of years,” said Bill Linehan, the neighborhood’s city councilor, when asked about the future of certain parcels, like the South Boston tire and auto repair center and car sales shop.
But it seems there is growing interest in infill projects along the strip. Foodie’s Market is set to open in December at 230 West Broadway, which will bring lots of foot traffic to the strip and potential businesses that could open as a result of the new activity.
“The Foodie’s will help fill the gap that exists on West Broadway, but we’re hoping it will drive more residential ownership in the neighborhood,” said Bill Gleason, president of the West Broadway Neighborhood Association. “We’re hoping it will be an economic engine for that block and support new feeder businesses.”
Beyond that, a vacant lot is in the process of some kind of residential development and investors have been gaining interest in potentially purchasing the tire and auto repair shop, Linehan told Banker & Tradesman.
One active local investor, Colm Dunphy, said he “always has interest” in potential investments along Broadway. Dunphy, the president of Tyrone Development, is behind the redevelopment of the old South Boston Tribune building.
“West Broadway is a hotspot right now for any business that wants to come into the area,” Dunphy mused in a recent interview. “A lot of money has been invested by local business owners here.”
Email: jcronin@thewarrengroup.com
