Councilor Wu's Proposal To Abolish The BPDA (65-pp. report)

[Blackbird]

I still think the BRA was a mistake from the beginning but it does make more sense now…

Do all big cities in the US have some similar quasi-government agency in charge of development planning? If not, and if the city council doesn’t own it in those other places, then what other systems are there?

 

[JeffDowntown]

Do all big cities in the US have some similar quasi-government agency in charge of development planning? If not, and if the city council doesn’t own it in those other places, then what other systems are there?

My understanding it that PDAs (Public Development Authorities) or "public corporations" are pretty common and are authorized in most states.

This is a quote about Washington State's use of PDAs:
"Cities, towns, and counties may form public development authorities (PDAs), sometimes known as "public corporations," to assist in administering federal grants or local programs, enhance governmental efficiency and service provision, and/or improve a municipality’s living conditions. These PDAs are special purpose quasi-municipal corporations that are primarily authorized under RCW 35.21.730-.759, which allows local governments to create or contract with "public corporations, commissions, or authorities.""

 

[DwnTwnr]

My understanding it that PDAs (Public Development Authorities) or "public corporations" are pretty common and are authorized in most states.

This is a quote about Washington State's use of PDAs:
"Cities, towns, and counties may form public development authorities (PDAs), sometimes known as "public corporations," to assist in administering federal grants or local programs, enhance governmental efficiency and service provision, and/or improve a municipality’s living conditions. These PDAs are special purpose quasi-municipal corporations that are primarily authorized under RCW 35.21.730-.759, which allows local governments to create or contract with "public corporations, commissions, or authorities.""

Not to be confused with Boston's PDA, Planned Development Areas

 

[Blackbird]

Not to be confused with Boston's PDA, Planned Development Areas

Nor to be confused with public displays of affection, which are strictly prohibited per Boston’s current zoning code.

 

[stick n move]

In contentious meeting, Boston City Council moves to bring citywide planning into city government​

“The Boston City Council today approved a measure to set up a planning department as the first major step towards abolishing the BPDA and giving the mayor and the council - and residents more of a direct say in how Boston grows.

Councilors voted 8-5 for the measure, an amended version of a proposal by Mayor Wu that now goes back to her for her signature.

The basics of the proposal, both in Wu's original request and in an amended draft by the Committee on Government Operations, which Councilor Gabriela Coletta (East Boston, Charlestown, North End) chairs, would begin the dissolution of the BRA-turned-BPDA, which currently oversees both development projects and long-term city planning, by creating a new city Planning Department. Current employees at the BPDA, a quasi-independent authority with its own budget and revenue streams - would begin to be moved into this department even as city officials begin a separate discussion about the way large developments are overseen and approved in Boston.

Arthur Jemison, current director of the BPDA, would become headof the new planning department.

Four of the five members who voted against the measure or simply voted "present" said they were not necessarily opposed to breaking up the old planning and development gang on the ninth floor of City Hall, but that they still had far too many questions about the proposal. Only Councilor John FitzGerald (Dorchester) said he favors more or less retaining the BPDA - an authority where he worked for 18 years before he ran for the council last year…..”

https://www.universalhub.com/2024/contentious-meeting-council-moves-bring-citywide

 

[stick n move]

In a win for Wu, city council approves a new planning department for Boston​

“The Boston City Council passed a measure Wednesday to shift planning authority away from the Boston Planning and Development Agency, a body that's reshaped much of the city in the 20th century and has faced criticism for the power it wields over building and urban renewal.

The newly minted Boston Planning Department will assume many of the responsibilities, property and staff currently under the old agency, which will retain oversight of large developments.

WBUR is a nonprofit news organization. Our coverage relies on your financial support. If you value articles like the one you're reading right now, give today.

The move allows Mayor Michelle Wu to deliver on a promise to reshape the way Boston does urban planning. As a candidate, Wu called the BPDA "an anachronism plagued by lack of transparency and misguided priorities," and pledged to abolish the agency. The final plan stopped short of abolition, but Wu has said the new department will help the city synchronize development with goals around affordable housing and climate resilience.

Councilor Gabriela Coletta, of East Boston, said the new department represents a first step toward a planning system that prioritizes community.

"The status quo of the current system cannot continue," Coletta told councilors before the vote.

"We have reiterated, time after time, that it is forward-thinking planning that must dictate development, not the other way around.”

Coletta was among eight councilors who voted for the measure; three voted against it and two abstained.

Critics argue the move is a power grab by the mayor that isn't likely to bring substantive change or greater community involvement in planning. Boston's mayor already appoints four of five BPDA board members, while the governor appoints the fifth.

Councilor and former BPDA staffer John Fitzgerald, of Dorchester, called for keeping planning under the current quasi-government agency. He lauded the BPDA for leading Boston through one of the biggest building booms in its history….”

https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/03/27/planning-boston-development-bpda-wu-council

 

[DwnTwnr]

It's so funny that Mayor Wu has said so much about accountability while she (like every other Mayor in history) is also doing her own planning and budgeting around things like White Stadium. The only difference is now she is holding the bag, when in the past the Mayor could always blame the planning agency.

 

[Blackbird]

The only difference is now she is holding the bag, when in the past the Mayor could always blame the planning agency.

It’ll be Jemison holding the bag, no? Granted, they’ve seemed to be in perfect step with each other.

 

[SuffolkHeights11]

In a win for Wu, city council approves a new planning department for Boston​

View attachment 49070

“The Boston City Council passed a measure Wednesday to shift planning authority away from the Boston Planning and Development Agency, a body that's reshaped much of the city in the 20th century and has faced criticism for the power it wields over building and urban renewal.

The newly minted Boston Planning Department will assume many of the responsibilities, property and staff currently under the old agency, which will retain oversight of large developments.

WBUR is a nonprofit news organization. Our coverage relies on your financial support. If you value articles like the one you're reading right now, give today.

The move allows Mayor Michelle Wu to deliver on a promise to reshape the way Boston does urban planning. As a candidate, Wu called the BPDA "an anachronism plagued by lack of transparency and misguided priorities," and pledged to abolish the agency. The final plan stopped short of abolition, but Wu has said the new department will help the city synchronize development with goals around affordable housing and climate resilience.

Councilor Gabriela Coletta, of East Boston, said the new department represents a first step toward a planning system that prioritizes community.

"The status quo of the current system cannot continue," Coletta told councilors before the vote.

"We have reiterated, time after time, that it is forward-thinking planning that must dictate development, not the other way around.”

Coletta was among eight councilors who voted for the measure; three voted against it and two abstained.

Critics argue the move is a power grab by the mayor that isn't likely to bring substantive change or greater community involvement in planning. Boston's mayor already appoints four of five BPDA board members, while the governor appoints the fifth.

Councilor and former BPDA staffer John Fitzgerald, of Dorchester, called for keeping planning under the current quasi-government agency. He lauded the BPDA for leading Boston through one of the biggest building booms in its history….”

https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/03/27/planning-boston-development-bpda-wu-council

Interesting comment on planning from Councilor Coletta, who opposed both "forward-looking planning efforts" in her district - PLAN: Charlestown outright and PLAN: East Boston before it was scaled back. What she means by planning is: cover most of the existing neighborhoods in historical districts so that nothing can be legally built and for the remaining parcels plan to keep the status quo intact. That is what her constituents want and that is fine - just don't lecture everybody about the need for "planning."