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Rick Dimino
A new era in Boston is beginning with Michelle Wu as mayor. She takes office with an ambitious agenda, broad support and real excitement that the city will prosper in new ways. Fortunately, today’s economy in Boston is strong in many areas, but this region’s future growth is far from guaranteed.
As the Wu administration begins to implement new plans to addressing climate change, economic inequality and the next phase of the pandemic, it is essential that the city maintain some support for the existing pipeline of development projects and potential improvements throughout the city. Otherwise, as Boston looks to the future, we could miss many opportunities that are right before us.
The city of Boston must continue to grow and evolve to keep our reputation as a world-class city where people want to work, live and visit. Boston’s transformation into one of the strongest economic centers in the nation did not happen by accident. Our education system is producing a highly talented workforce and downtown Boston’s business community worked with elected officials to create the conditions that encourage businesses to locate and grow in the city. Life science companies are clustering in the South Boston waterfront, in part because this region has earned its reputation as the top place in the country to do business. We cannot drop the ball on this recent success.
Two-Track Approach to BPDA Needed
During the last year Mayor Wu promised to abolish the Boston Planning & Development Agency and bring changes to the city’s oversight process. This campaign message is adding significant uncertainty for many proposals that are recently approve, pending or just beginning the development review process. These concerns will continue until the city articulates a clear policy and roadmap for advancing new development projects. The city should be able to support the current pipeline of projects while at the same time as officials are exploring different models for a future development oversight agency.
This two-track approach is essential. Reimagining and recreating the planning and development process in Boston will likely take some time. Legislation at the State House would also be required to eliminate the BPDA’s responsibilities. There are projects that have followed the rules for years, and are on track to create new housing units, build cleaner and more resilient buildings, transform blighted spaces and increase projected tax revenue for the city’s budget. This can be possible if the city realizes these next opportunities to enhance the city through the benefits related to the current pipeline of projects.
The downtown waterfront is one section in Boston where progress is long overdue and in need of positive, transformational and responsible development. Mayor Wu expressed some concern with the downtown Boston municipal harbor plan (MHP) and called for changes Chapter 91 regulations to account for resiliency and equity issues. These concerns are completely reasonable, but the city can address these points through the Article 80 process with the current authority vested in the BPDA.
Boston should not wait before beginning the infrastructure work necessary to strengthen this entire district. Further delays in the state MHP regulation process will only increase the coastal flooding risk to residential neighborhoods, tourist destinations, park land, transportation assets and businesses. Instead, Mayor Wu should capitalize on years of public process that presents expanded open space, increased public access to the waterfront, improvements to coastline resilience and private development in a very important, but vulnerable area of Boston.
Federal Funds Opens Door
This year is also a rare chance to capitalize on federal infrastructure funds, especially for important climate and resiliency needs.
In the past few years under former Mayor Marty Walsh, the city of Boston completed neighborhood resilience studies through the Climate Ready Boston planning process. It is now time to transition from study and planning to implementation of these ideas.
The Biden administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill includes $50 billion for resiliency infrastructure that will be distributed through competitive grant programs. Boston needs to be ready to move on potential projects, so that the federal government is confident their money will be put to good use here, without unnecessary delays or confusion over the city approval process.
The efforts to build a stronger, more vibrant city is already a lengthy process in Boston and we should welcome the Wu administration’s goals of rationalizing the city’s zoning code and add transparency to the development process. But considering the scale of our infrastructure challenges ahead and the success this region experienced over the past few decades, it is no time to turn away from what is working here.
Rather, we need to replicate and support beneficial development projects that increase resilience, improve public spaces, maximize the use of our land and collectively grow our economy. Mayor Wu can support this work and still be consistent with her campaign’s vision on a stronger, more equitable Boston. If the city seizes the opportunities ahead in the next year, her new administration can move quickly to produce a proud, lasting legacy that benefits future generations in this area.
Rick Dimino is CEO of A Better City
