The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) began a survey of South Boston Waterfront businesses last week, hoping to collect information for the development of service- and product-retailers in the growing neighborhood.
The area, dubbed the Innovation District by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino a few years ago, has expanded rapidly. Over the last four years, it was reported that more than 5,000 jobs were created in the neighborhood.
"That’s an emerging area because there’s so much development going on – 210 new companies have moved there in the last three years. It’s an opportunity to hear about what businesses in the neighborhood want," said Randi Lathrop, director of business development for the BRA.
However, the survey focuses on the burgeoning residential development in the Innovation District. Participants are asked to assess how often they perform errands and other lifestyle tasks like going to the gym or a salon in the neighborhood.
"We really admire a lot of the chef-driven boutique restaurants that have opened up. But, there’s a lot of service-oriented retail, apparel retailers and other retail that’s not there," said Lathrop.
"A lot of developers have planned for retail space on the ground floors of the new buildings that have opened recently or are being constructed, and now the task is getting a variety of retailers to create a neighborhood feeling," said Vivien Li, president of the Boston Harbor Association. "People considering the area will be thinking, ‘Where am I going to get my groceries? Where am I going to get my prescriptions?’"
With Menino, a longtime advocate for the Innovation District, preparing to leave office, the data will be of use to Mayor-elect Marty Walsh’s administration.
"I think the information that is being collected right now is very timely – the new administration will look at this data with fresh eyes," said Li.
Within the first four days of the survey, the BRA had received more than 280 responses, according to Lathrop. The information collected from the survey will be presented to commercial brokers and property owners in January, Lathrop said, as well as the International Council of Shopping Centers.
The confidential survey can be viewed on the BRA website or by clicking here. The survey period ends on Dec. 14.
