Expansions and Analysis In Our Business Districts Can Be The Secret Sauce

As The Chamber President I have been involved in many conversations about the state of our business districts both pre and post Covid. Recently The Coolidge had a ground breaking ceremony for their historic expansion in Coolidge Corner. As of late I have had deep conversations with local business owners, town officials and members of the small business development committee I am on. Some common threads have emerged as a result of these interactions on how we should approach our districts as we move forward.

Brookline is lucky in the fact that it is one of 120 different municipalities in the Commonwealth undertaking an analysis of specific business districts. In Brookline, Coolidge Corner and JFK were selected to determine what strategies would be effective to assist in the recovery post covid. The state has supported this analysis from within with business and real estate owner surveys to measure the pulse of the district. From our analysis opportunities have emerged to reimagine Coolidge Corner and JFK. The state has also supplied subject matter experts to assist in the analysis of specific rubics raised as a result of this undertaking.

Analysis has revealed that in order to create a destination for people to want to go to and patronize a specific business district certain things need to be more fully developed. The areas under discussion are soft scape and hardscape enhancements such as flowers, trees signage, benches and cafe tables. Business district branding and marketing initiatives. Better parking options to allow for a more friendly and engaging experience within the district as they are on foot. A more established outdoor dining toolbox and expansion beyond 6 months season. .Events planning such as Flowers and Opera, Street Performances, art installations and restaurant crawls.

The biggest takeaway and the biggest wildcard is to convince commercial property owners to buy into this concept. With their buy in they would need to look at their mix of tenants to ensure that the district doesn't have to much or to little of a specific category so that there would be a diverse mix of commercial enterprises within the district.

The conversion to this destination business district will take time, energy and money. In the end it could prove to be the secret sauce to help fill vacant storefronts and assist our small businesses to emerge much stronger from their Covid slumber.