EVENT RECAP: Framework for Re-Opening Boston’s Economy: Prioritizing Lives, Livelihoods and Place
May 28, 2020
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 | ZOOM MEETING
Joyce Linnehan, Mayor Walsh’s Chief of Policy
Alvaro Lima, Research Director, Boston Planning and Development Agency
On Wednesday, May 27, Rick Dimino, President, and CEO of A Better City, welcomed Joyce Linnehan, Chief of Policy for Mayor Walsh, and Alvaro Lima, Research Director for the Boston Planning and Development Agency. Forty participants joined in the Zoom session.
Joyce Linnehan observed that it was easier to close down society than it is to re-open. For a safe re-start, the city has focused on lives – with strengthened health care, testing, and treating --, livelihoods – supporting workers, small businesses, and the most vulnerable --, and place – the city’s quality of life and building blocks of placemaking: those things that make Boston Boston. Equity is at the center of the goals in engaging with sector representatives on health protocols, tools and resources, and strategies to recapture the City’s competitive edge.
Alvaro Lima described a table showing the economic value and health risk vectors by industry and a table of Boston’s competitiveness and economic advantage by sector that shows colleges, universities, and professional schools at the top of the list present in the city with 5.23 times the national average and spectator sports sector with the greatest multiplier effect on the economy at 2.08.
Joyce said that Boston ranked 19 of 120 global cities for competitiveness based on the ability to attract capital, business, talent, and visitors. A list of amenities and resources includes attractions ranging from museums and restaurants to arts and cultural organizations. Two key factors to consider reopening, she said include transportation and child care. Up to 63 % of Boston workers commute into the city, with 38% of Boston residents commuting to work on public transportation. In 2017, child care providers cared for 26,478 of the city’s 40,948 children under age 5. There are 73,000 small businesses in Suffolk County that employ 16.7 % of the county’s workforce.
A chart illustrating where Boston residents work shows that 26.6% of jobs in Boston are filled by Boston residents followed by 26.2% of the jobs in Brookline, and 17.6% of the jobs in Newton, Alvaro explained. Over 35% of the resident workers of Revere, Quincy, Chelsea, and Cambridge work in Boston, as does 54.4 % of the resident workers of Boston and 48.4% of those in Brookline.
In reopening Boston’s economy to restore our competitive edge, the City is looking at six key variables:
- Public health concerns
- Economic value
- Interconnectivity
- Need for technical assistance
- Unemployment
- Boston specialization
These variables are used to identify industries in three categories:
- Category A: need City guidance/policies and monitoring
- Category B: need City guidance only
- Category C: limited guidance.
Recommendations for the three categories include:
- Category A: restaurants and food; small business and retail; transportation, open space, recreation; arts and culture; tourism, sports, and entertainment; childcare
- Category B: houses of worship and community gathering space; real estate and property management; construction; colleges and universities; violence prevention and public safety
- Category C: government operations; finance, insurance, IT, technology, legal, scientific, management
Seven industry roundtables have been established to develop reopening policy and operational guidelines with the City of Boston.
Joyce reviewed the state’s four-phase reopening approach and closed the presentation reviewing the City of Boston construction reopening strategy that includes a Site Safety Plan, Safety Affidavit, and Safety Plan Worksheet.
Rick Dimino observed that this analysis provides a helpful and substantive framework.
Joyce reminded us that reopening is all about managing risk. The virus is still out there, and the principles of social distancing remain important.
We spent time discussing equity concerns and the importance of public health with the virus driving economics.
Rick asked about the development review process, and Joyce said that there are tools to support a legal review process, but what may be missing is more effective pre-engagement participation.
Rick focused on construction and how contractors, developers, and labor have found common ground on how to proceed. The Inspectional Services Department has staffed up to support new construction requirements. There was a question about landlord/tenant responsibilities in downtown offices. Joyce said that some guidelines about common areas and specific cleaning protocols would be out soon.
The density of office occupancy and physical distancing was discussed as well as level of risk for activities like loud talking and singing, which is higher than ordinary talking. We discussed concern for use of the MBTA and personal responsibilities for precautions that may not be enforceable. Dedicated bus lanes are being implemented to improve capacity and reliability while reducing crowding.
Arts and cultural institutions face difficult challenges: it may not be possible to socially distance in the theater. Some cultural organizations may fail in a new situation. Rick suggested that creative solutions may be required, and Joyce said that she would be open to drive-in opportunities, but not everyone has a car.
Restaurants, especially small restaurants, present a major challenge. The City’s food distribution system has been scaled up, with the one-millionth meal served recently.
Rick asked about the rules of engagement related to enforcement and what the City can mandate. He suggested that A Better City stands ready to assist the City as we move into reopening. Joyce said that she appreciated the offer and that she welcomes feedback on the City’s approach.
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