Downtown Boston Business Improvement District Rebrands and Sets New Initiatives
The Downtown Business Improvement District will now go by the name the Downtown Business Alliance. According to the organization's leaders, this moniker is a modern, more welcoming, and less stuffy way of referring to the neighborhood.
The Downtown Business Improvement District is the latest BID to change the name that it has held since its inception. As one of the oldest BIDs in the area, the move to change its name has been long overdue. Simultaneously, the organization is looking to welcome a new look to Winter Street, the gateway to the downtown area, and update its initiatives in order to make the neighborhood more welcoming and an ideal destination for working, living, shopping, dining, and visiting.
The neighborhood has long had an ambitious agenda of developing a post-pandemic downtown that fosters and reflects innovation and equitable economic opportunities for everyone. According to the president of the Alliance, the new name is also a reflection of the leadership of the organization, which can be viewed as an alliance of like-minded people who are dedicated to making the district a destination that is not only inviting to residents but also easily accessible to visitors, business owners, tourists, and shoppers.
The move to change the name has been long overdue, considering that of the 30 or so largest BIDs nationwide, the Boston group is one of the few that still had the three words. As Nichols states, relevance has also been another crucial consideration that led to this change. Oftentimes, staffers have had to explain to visitors and prospective clients what a BID is, the purpose of its functions, and who the business serves. As such, the name change is a great way of ensuring that the group is visible and relatable to a greater audience in the regional business community and beyond.
At the meeting, the leaders and DBA staff recapped a very successful year business-wise that was marked by the launch of a $2 million economic development initiative that was dubbed "Level Up Downtown." This initiative has been highly successful, as can be noted from the reduced storefront vacancy rates, the number of new retail and restaurant businesses popping up, and the increased monthly foot traffic. Additionally, there has been a wide array of large-scale events in the area, such as fun and packed block parties, social events, and buzz-worthy public art, that have brought international attention and attracted millions of new visitors to the neighborhood. These events and activities have been a clear testament to the neighborhood's continued upward trajectory.
One of the major initiatives that the Downtown Boston alliance is looking to take come 2025 is to support the growth of businesses and any business-friendly or economically stimulating activities. The success of the "Level Up Downtown" initiative that led to several new retail businesses leasing out storefronts and partnership of businesses with the city's business grants program is one of the indicators that business development initiatives will be beneficial to the group. More lease signings are expected by the end of year which will rejuvenate the economy for the new year.
Other than business development initiatives, it will also focus on real estate promotion to foster increased property development. The Alliance is looking to partner with the city of Boston to host a real estate broker summit. This meeting will focus on discussing new methods that can be used to accelerate property development, increase tenant diversity, and attract new tenants in the downtown corridor.
Thirdly, the Alliance is also planning to renovate Winter Street, one of the busiest pedestrian corridors between Washington Street and Park Street. Urban design firm Graffito SP has been contracted to refresh the street. Ever since the pandemic, the heavily trafficked street has witnessed a reduced number of pedestrians and, consequently, its normal vibrance and charm. Nichols has stated that this move is aimed at restoring the condition of the street during the pre-pandemic while still elevating its look.
Another development plan that is in the works at the start of 2025 is the request for proposal process that will be aimed at attracting and welcoming new events activation around Downtown Crossing. This move may attract new audiences that are more eager for creative and unique activities that will enrich the downtown landscape while enhancing event, retail and restaurant establishments.
As the Alliance is laying out new business development initiatives the community initiatives have not been ignored either. The leadership of the organization understands the crucial part that communities play in fostering a region's growth, and as such, several initiatives have been put in place to foster this.
The president of the organization has announced plans to transform the ground-floor of one of the vacant retail storefronts along winter street into a community events center that will be open to community members and new visitors. The said community space is set to open in 2025.
Secondly, The Alliance has also planned for the extension of the "Third Space" initiative. The plan has been backed by Mayor Michelle Wu's emphasis on the unique nightlife opportunities in the city for new businesses. Part of the use in the newly developed space will be providing a venue for arts and events, community markets, and live performances.
On completion in 2025 the space is earmarked to host pop-up events through spring and winter. A good example of how the new space may be used to bring a buzz to the region is in the pop-up art exhibition that has been witnessed on winter street featuring some of the renowned local artists like Kevin Nguyen and Michael talbot.
One of the ways that the Downtown Business Alliance is looking to get people to buy into the initiatives and new ideas is by ensuring that they are in the know earlier. This will start as early as in the 2024/2025 winter program. Some of the unique activities that have been planned include interactive experiences for visitors and families, which marks the continued commitment to make downtown the go-to destination for holiday and cultural events.
To bolster the holiday spirit, the Alliance has also introduced a new seasonal activity named the "Holiday Kingdom," which is aimed at getting people in the right mood for the holidays. The display will feature twelve newly commissioned decorations that are larger than life-sized along the Summer and Washington streets. The combination of this new decor with the annual wreaths, lighting, and streetscape decorations is expected to inspire community members and create child-like awe for visitors, seasonal shoppers, and diners.
One of the most successful art experiences, "WINTERACTIVE," is also set for a comeback. The event which attracted over 650,000 visitors last year with its creative, eye- catching and thought provoking illustrations will be even better next year. Set for re-introduction in January the event will feature 20 artworks that will spread throughout downtown. Even more interesting is that this unique exhibition will have several never-seen-before pieces that may be the icing on the cake and attract even more visitors to the city.
With an updated name, The Alliance has been working tirelessly to ensure that it offers a renewed presence in the neighborhood. The rebranding efforts and initiatives have been developed in collaboration with Boston-based artistic agency Proverb. The organization is set to introduce an updated logo, vibrant colors, and modernized fonts, all of which will refresh the Alliance's public image.
These changes will be noticed almost instantaneously with on-street ambassadors for the organization set to wear newly designed uniforms. There is also going to be a revised design of the city signage, support vehicles, pushcarts, trash cans, and other in other areas, and visible infrastructure in the city.
Having already received a five-year commitment renewal from some of its key members in 2023, the group can now focus on supporting its initiatives and efforts in order to usher in a new era of growth, community collaboration, and cultural enrichment.
A new name often signifies new beginnings, and this has so far been the case for Downtown Boston Alliance. With a name that has a modern touch to it and several development and community initiatives, the organization is set to bring a new age of economic cooperation and growth to the area. Not only will the initiatives set in place bolster the region economically, but they will also position it as an ideal travel destination. This is evident from the measures that the Alliance is taking to promote creativity and improve the quality of community and social events. With a clear plan to advance several key economic areas, including the real estate sector, the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District rebrand could be just what the region needed to give it a buzz in the local and international sphere.