For the past eight years, the Patrick administration targeted investment to Lawrence, New Bedford, Springfield,

Benjamin Forman

Worcester and other “Gateway Cities” around the state. While this attention clearly did some good, manufacturing decline compounded by several decades of neglect is not easily undone.

Gov. Charlie Baker seems committed to maintaining a focus on Gateway City renewal. When he released his budget last month, the governor lamented not having the resources to pursue an aggressive urban agenda. But in the first days of the administration, developing a smart approach is more important than getting the money flowing. Here are three ideas to help Baker and his team lay the groundwork:
Stay true to the campaign’s pledge to focus on the details of governance. State agencies surely need the governor’s steady management hand, but so too do Gateway City municipal governments tasked with managing difficult problems. With two-year mayoral terms and a variety of other features that undermine executive function, too many Gateway Cities find it difficult to build strong working relationships with private sector partners.

The administration should provide assistance to Gateway Cities that come forward to address these shortcomings. Cities that take steps to improve governance structures should also be first in line for state resources, particularly the attractive funding MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) provides. This new program positions cities to draw private investment by helping with predevelopment planning and land acquisition and paying talented mid-career real estate professionals to quarterback revitalization projects. To be a part of TDI, cities should do their part to give private sector investors confidence that they will have steady leadership.

Change the tone of the education reform conversation. The state’s regional cities are largely residential centers. On average, two-thirds of their tax base is residential, compared to only one-third in Boston. So unlike Boston and other major comeback cities, an education system that appeals to families is a prerequisite for renewal in these midsize urban communities.

Education policy in Massachusetts focuses too narrowly on the lowest performing schools and giving families choice to escape failing systems. This language is not a recipe for helping inclusive urban communities appreciate and promote the quality learning opportunities they can provide. The governor’s budget includes a line item for a Partnership Schools Network. This new program could be the start of a fresh conversation about community-driven efforts that stitch together the many educational assets in Gateway Cities (e.g., state colleges, vocational schools and high-performing charters) in ways that demonstrate to families the exceptional learning experiences these urban communities can offer.

Assume the leadership of the Gateway Cities movement. Talking about a particular set of communities is hard for a governor who must lead the whole state, but the Gateway Cities and their historic urban fabric are a jewel in the commonwealth’s crown to celebrate. Just as we don’t shy away from showing pride in Boston, we should be able to call out the unrealized opportunities the distinctive attributes of these communities provide. The governor’s language sends signals to the market that the state is committed to revitalizing these places. His words reinforce the shared identity of the cities, helping them come together to explore solutions to common problems. The governor’s leadership can also be helpful in more concrete ways, such as helping Gateway Cities track down private sector leaders with roots in their communities and plugging them into revitalization efforts.

Ultimately, Gateway City renewal will rely on identifying funding at a level that is at least comparable to the major investments the state made to seed Boston’s regeneration. It will not be easy to develop an approach that can credibly generate returns on the taxpayer dollars. The governor and the Legislature will need time to craft the right strategy. But they must also appreciate the urgency. The lagging recovery of Gateway Cities is weighing down regional economies beyond I-495. With aging workforces and high rates of out-migration, these communities simply cannot afford to wait much longer.

Benjamin Forman is research director at the Massachusetts Institute For A New Commonwealth (MassINC), an independent, non-partisan public policy organization.