COMMUNITY UPDATE:
THE MATTAPAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (“MEDI”)
With the work of business development managers and selection of mayoral
advisory group, implementation is off to a promising start
By Dana Whiteside, Deputy Director for Economic Development
Boston Redevelopment Authority
Did you know that Mattapan’s roadways and thoroughfares are some of the most heavily traveled in the City? Morton Street alone sees 34,000 vehicles
per day; Blue Hill Avenue sees upwards of 22,000. Cummins Highway and River Street each boast nearly 20,000 each day. What might it be like
for Mattapan to attract these travelers in quality shops, thereby bringing dollars and investment to the neighborhood? This is one of the many
questions which the next phase of the MEDI effort will begin to address.
In July 2006, Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston Redevelopment Authority Director Mark Maloney unveiled the comprehensive Economic Action Agenda
which was created as part of the Mattapan Economic Development Initiative (“MEDI”) planning process. This document provides a roadmap and framework
for activities to improve the economics and quality of life for the Mattapan – namely through (1) improving the business districts of Mattapan Square,
Blue Hill Avenue Center and the Morton Street Village Corridor; (2) creating job opportunities within the neighborhood and (3) increasing
capital investment in commercial areas and properties.
The Mayor also charged City agencies, led by the Boston Redevelopment Authority, to work with the community to make into reality the vision and
recommendations set forth within the MEDI Economic Action Agenda. To further jump-start implementation, he committed “$250,000 in seed capital”
to support viable commercial/retail real estate development and announced the hiring of two MEDI Business Development Managers (“BDM’s”)to coordinate
business efforts, providing direct access to City and private resources that support small business growth.
Since the fall, elements of the implementation phase have been underway. Business Development Managers Danny Hardaway and Stu Rosenberg have been
working diligently to connect with and provide assistance to the over 250 small businesses and establishments along Mattapan’s commercial corridors.
This work has included coordination of meetings with businesses operators and property owners to introduce them to the wide array of municipal
and private sector services to help expand or improve their property. As a result, the Mattapan neighborhood will see an infusion of BLDC (Boston
Local Development Corporation) loan, RESTORE (façade improvement) grants and other sources that will help change the look and feel of the
business districts.
As has been announced, the Mayor has also named a Community Implementation Team (“CIT”) to serve in an advisory capacity and take part in guiding
the implementation phase working with City agencies to put in place various strategies recommended as part of the MEDI Economic Action Agenda.
This advisory board will be charged with:
(1) Providing support for strategies outlined in the MEDI Economic Action Agenda namely to:
(a) improve appearance of commercial districts;
(b) create a Mattapan retail identity;
(c) advise the BRA and City agencies relative to economic development priorities for MEDI – namely a successful Main Streets designation for Mattapan;
(2) Serving as a resource to the MEDI City Team and related departments through informational review and participation in regular working sessions and development of programs such as the MEDI Neighborhood Retail Program;
(3) Serving in an advisory capacity relative to projects and issues relevant to zoning, real estate development review, business development and community organization in Mattapan;
(4) Providing community representation through active participation in public meetings in addition to communication about the goals, direction and progress of the MEDI with all neighborhood stakeholders; and
(5) Providing support for projects and outreach efforts of the MEDI (e.g. BOSTON SHINES in Mattapan, community charettes, project review, etc.)
The members of the Mayoral Community Implementation Team for MEDI are:
Rev. John Borders, Pastor, Morning Star Baptist Church
Ms. Barbara Brewster, Chairperson, Mattapan Civic Association
Mr. Jeff Brewster, Manager, McDonalds (Mattapan Square)
Mr. Jim Clarke, Mattapan Street Neighborhood Association & Former Vice-Chair Boston State CAC
Mr. Gerard David, Member, Morton Street Board of Commerce
Ms. Denise Fotopolous, Member Mattapan Board of Trade
Ms. Dawn Greenidge, Former MEDI CAG Member
Ms. Louise Gant, Board Chairperson, Mattapan CDC, Former MEDI CAG Member
Mr. Ernst Guerrier, Principal Guerrier & Associates
Mr. Russell Holmes, Former Chair, MEDI CAG
Ms. Cheryl Johns, Manager, Sovereign Bank
Ms. G. Sierra Khan, Managing Director, Mattapan Cultural Arts Development
Mr. David Lopes, Chairperson, Wellington Hill Association; Former MEDI CAG Member
Mr. Azid Mohammed, Former MEDI CAG Member
Mr. Jean-Claude Sanon, Director, Community Outreach, Haitian-American Public Health Initiative
Ms. Thelma Sullivan, Owner “The Black Pages”
Ms. Judy Vance, Chairperson, Woodhaven Street Association
Ms. Sandy Zamour-Calixte, Coordinator, External Affairs Sheriff’s Department
Mr. James Claiborne, Captain, Area B-3 Police Station, Ex-Officio
Mr. Spencer DeShields, Executive Director, Mattapan Community Development Corp.,Ex-Officio
Fr. William (“Bill”) Joy, Pastor Saint Angela’s Parish, Ex-Officio
Ms. Lillie Searcy, Executive Director Mattapan Family Service Center, Ex-Officio
Ms. Azzie Young, Executive Director, Mattapan Community Health Center, Ex-Officio
Regular meetings of the MEDI CIT will begin in late January/early February of 2007 and will be organized in similar fashion to those held by the previously engaged Community Advisory Group which facilitated the planning phase of this initiative.
There are significant and exciting new opportunities proposed for Mattapan with which the MEDI effort will take part. Examples include the improvements to MBTA Stations at Mattapan Square and Morton Street; the proposed Morton Street Homes Development by the Mattapan CDC; the development of the former Cote Ford site; the forward movement of 872 Morton Street; and the proposed Transit Oriented Development project at Mattapan Square by Nuestra/EDFC.
Similarly we will work to coordinate efforts to attract the new and improved goods and services referenced in the MEDI Consumer Survey while supporting the work of those existing businesses that wish to remain competitive and viable in the newly created market.
