Fort Point Infill and Small Developments

Sicil -- " The lengthy approval process served one purpose here: To secure upwards of 300,000 square feet of new construction permits and sell off the majority of the properties in nearly the same condition they were purchased without putting a shovel in the ground or significantly rehabbing a single wharf building. "

Sometimes that works and you get rich -- other times you get stuck holding the bag

In 2000 there was a prediction that Boston needed 10 M sq. ft. of 'Telcom hotel" space -- lots of old industrial buildings were bought and some even renovated before the DotCom / Telecom Boom crashed


That's why its called a Free Market
 
whighlander

Whenever I point out that some developers are better than others, or the consequences of the existing approval process, someone tells me "it's a free market."

1. My point stands. In contrast to BostonObserver's comment, I've demonstrated that some developers are better than others even in a recession.

2. The "free market" is not free, it is highly regulated by the approval process. One property owner can buy property "X" and visit City Hall year after year to receive permits to make it worth "10X" without investing a dime in the property. If people want to call the free market "spending 5 years securing a handful of approvals from City Hall for the expressed purpose of flipping, leaving the neighborhood high and dry with vacated buildings for 5 years," fine by me. I haven't even mentioned the tax dollars that have been spent "Master Planning" these projects over years and years with an outcome that reflects no significant difference from a market-driven project.
 
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Sicilian said:
whighlander

Whenever I point out that some developers are better than others, or the consequences of the existing approval process, someone tells me "it's a free market."

1. My point stands. In contrast to BostonObserver's comment, I've demonstrated that some developers are better than others even in a recession.

2. The "free market" is not free, it is highly regulated by the approval process. One property owner can buy property "X" and visit City Hall year after year to receive permits to make it worth "10X" without investing a dime in the property. If people want to call the free market "spending 5 years securing a handful of approvals from City Hall for the expressed purpose of flipping, leaving the neighborhood high and dry with vacated buildings for 5 years," fine by me. I haven't even mentioned the tax dollars that have been spent "Master Planning" these projects over years and years with an outcome that reflects no significant difference from a market-driven project.
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Sicil -- No one is denying (at least not this dog) that there are good, bad and ugly developers just as there are the same in restaurant owners, librarians, mayors of big cities, presidents of scaffolding companies and yes presidents of the US

My point is that even the most politically connected may connect with the wrong pol, the right pol at the wrong time or miss the somewhat tarnished brass ring for the lure of the flashy piece of golden Mylar

it's all a part of the "Free Market" -- the alternative is some sort of Platonic Philosopher King who completely logically allocates all scarce resources according to his / her superior knowledge of everything

Experience has shown that the first model even -- enlightened self interest -- with its imperfections -- will result in a generally good outcome for the public at large.

However, when we have depended on the "all knowing" to tell us what we need and where -- we end up with Nero's Rome, Hitler's Germany, Stalin's Russia, or less brutally the Government Center or the "new West End" in Boston in the 1960's.

Sure the market will be occasionally ugly for a while -- e.g. there might be someone willing to tear down Alexander's Dept. store in NYC and wait for a decade. But - there are also people willing to take a gamble and buy the empty Wang Towers on the possibility that they might again be worth something
 
I think you missed the point. We don't have a "free market" here. What we have is big developers who are able to muscle benefits out of the regulation/approval process to come out with a profit. That is NOT free market at all. In a free market, you would have to actually earn your profit (ie: actually build). Not just say to a regulating power: "Hey, I'll build if you upgrade x and change requirement y" who then goes and sells it without spending a dime. We aren't seeing the ugly side of the free market, we're seeing a form of fascism.
 
BostonUrbEx said:
I think you missed the point. We don't have a "free market" here. What we have is big developers who are able to muscle benefits out of the regulation/approval process to come out with a profit. That is NOT free market at all. In a free market, you would have to actually earn your profit (ie: actually build). Not just say to a regulating power: "Hey, I'll build if you upgrade x and change requirement y" who then goes and sells it without spending a dime. We aren't seeing the ugly side of the free market, we're seeing a form of fascism.
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Urb -- you missed my point

Unless there is a line item in the Fed, State, local budget with your name on a check -- don't count the money in advance

No matter how well you think you've greased the skids on your project -- the earth can quake and things might slide the other way

This is the imperfection of the "Free Market -- aka the "fog of capitalism" -- No its not totally free -- no one said it was
 
Just in from Globe reporter:

American Provisions, a farm-to-table grocer, is closing on a lease for a 5,500 sf space on Farnsworth Street in Fort Point.
 
Sicilian said:
Just in from Globe reporter:

American Provisions, a farm-to-table grocer, is closing on a lease for a 5,500 sf space on Farnsworth Street in Fort Point.
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Good for them. Their current store on East Broadway has been a huge hit, and they are great people. Interesting that its on Farnsworth though, since there are still little residences. Channel Center would have been an excellent location for this sort of store since they would be more marketable to the Broadway neighborhood. Either way, this is a great addition to Fort Point.

Sicil - any idea if retail is moving into C. Center? I've noticed some activity in the ground level empty space towards the parking lot.
 
^ParkerChris

Actually 12 Farnsworth is nestled in between a number of decent size condos -- FP3 and Dockside. It's also a stone's throw from Mondo Condo and 300 Summer. I have no doubt this store would thrive here from office and residential tenants.

Retail at Channel Center has been tough. No news for 5, 7 or 9 (where Fraunhofer is moving in). 15 Channel Center looks like manufacturing on ground floor.

There are a few small retailers along the block including a small cafe near Rue La La HQ, no recent news of any significance.
 
Seems close enough to South Station that it might draw subway riders from other parts of the city or even from across the river.
 
Ron Newman said:
Seems close enough to South Station that it might draw subway riders from other parts of the city or even from across the river.
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Once it gets some buzz, which it will, this is very much a possibility. They also have a small deli section where they serve hand-crafted gormet sandwhiches. By the looks of Flour's lines at lunch, this will be very popular and I wouldn't doubt that they expand this section. They also tried pretty hard to obtain a beer+wine license for their East Broad location but were shutout by local liquor stores. I'd expect them to go for one in this spot.

Is this the same location that a bar was rumored to be going into?

And on that front, any word on the vacant Blue Wave/Sienna spots?
 
There was talk of a bar at this location, Gingerman. It stirred up some opposition from abutting (or near) condos.

I'd guess American Provisions would get a ton of support around here. As for a liquor license, yes, I think they would apply for (and get) one. As mentioned, there already was a conversation regarding a liquor license for this location.

The news as of this afternoon is that Gingerman will go in the Blue Wave location. A better location for the pub.
 
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Sicilian said:
There was talk of a bar at this location, Gingerman. It stirred up some opposition from abutting (or near) condos.

I'd guess American Provisions would get a ton of support around here. As for a liquor license, yes, I think they would apply for (and get) one. As mentioned, there already was a conversation regarding a liquor license for this location.

The news as of this afternoon is that Gingerman will go in the Blue Wave location. A better location for the pub.
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And to note, the license was for local craft beer/wine to pair with their foods. It really is an upscale place, and would be very complimentary to Flour.

Re: Blue Wave spot - My guess was that a high-end restaurant would want the space, given the Barbara Lynch joints across the street. A nice pub is always a welcome addition, though. Hopefully a decent lunch spot takes Sienna's. The area is in desperate need of a Metro Convenience alternative.
 
As much as Sienna's food was subpar, it was the most affordable in the area for lunch (2 slices and a coke for 5 bucks). the Blue Wave itself was a confusing underperformer. It was always empty and closing early, while Lucky's never had a problem having people in there. The velvet rope, closed curtains Fridays seemed to draw well. The food got better, when the got a new cook and updated the menu, but still it never drew. Good looking, personable bartenders..... still no draw. The location is perfect for after work beers, and pub food would be welcome for lunch around here.

Whatever Gingerman is, I hope it figures out why the Wave failed. And that no anti-defamation people show up and protest the name.....

And to the above, I hope it's not another "high end" restaurant to go along with Babs' places. But, that's because I wanna be able to go there without a rep picking up the bill (they still can though.)
 
A store selling beer after 6 or 7 would be nice too. The Metro at the corner at the Summer St. Bridge closes too early when you want to reward team members with a 6 pack for sticking around to get a job done....
 
SeamusMcFly said:
A store selling beer after 6 or 7 would be nice too. The Metro at the corner at the Summer St. Bridge closes too early when you want to reward team members with a 6 pack for sticking around to get a job done....
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Seamus -- what about Midnight Pizza runs -- no one can do a start-up without Midnight Pizza runs or later if possible
 
SeamusMcFly said:
A store selling beer after 6 or 7 would be nice too. The Metro at the corner at the Summer St. Bridge closes too early when you want to reward team members with a 6 pack for sticking around to get a job done....
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Although most startups keep a beer fridge stocked at all times, Seaport Hardware is currently being converted into a liquor and convenience store..
 
... also Sagarino's convenient store on Wormwood St. has a room dedicated to a wide range of wines, and a broad selection of beers.

Open nightly until 11 PM, maybe a few hours earlier on Sunday night.
 
... LOL DAMN STRAIGHT PARKERCHRIS... as they've been doing since when we were alone down here back in the days of junkyard dogs and Friday night kickball.
 
ParkerChris said:
hand-crafted gormet sandwhiches.
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That has to be one of the most empty and obnoxious phrases in the English language. How about "ingredients put between slices of bread by human beings"? Now if you'll pardon me, I think I'll craft a bowl of cereal for breakfast... Given war and pestilence I dont know why this pisses me off so much, but it does.
 
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