Universal Hub - Innovation District

Moving to the Innovation District becomes a religious experience

adamg — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:53:36 +0000

The Boston Business Journal reports the Unitarian Universalist Association is selling its headquarters on Beacon Hill to move into three floors of a six-story office building on Farnsworth Street in South Boston - part of what Bloomberg this week called a building boom that has seen office rents in the district soar.

The association itself says:

$1,700 a month to live in a closet

adamg — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:25:15 +0000

Scott Van Voorhis reports the city's push for "micro" apartment as lure for youngpreneurs to move into the Innovation District is working - except for the part about them being more affordable, such as the $1,700 a month or so to live in a 300-square-foot apartment on Melcher Street:

That's a lot to pay given you can get a townhouse in Quincy for that price and still be within a 10 or 15 minute Red Line commute from downtown Boston.

Can city agencies get tickets for not shoveling?

adamg — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:10:19 +0000

A roving UHub photographer forwards this picture, taken around 4:40 p.m. yesterday, of the handicap parking spaces outside 12 Channel St., an Innovation District building owned by the BRA and EDIC.

They haven't plowed their handicap spaces since the blizzard.

Maybe they should rename the Innovation District the Tenderloin

adamg — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:10:41 +0000

The Herald reports Yet Another Steakhouse is planned for the South Boston waterfront.

Nancy, who works there, writes that what the area really needs is a drugstore:

The closest one is Downtown Crossing. It's a PITA for people who work down there.

Innovation District scoops up another Cambridge company

adamg — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:20:51 +0000

The Globe reports Zipcar will move its headquarters from Cambridge to South Boston next year.

Developers eye city property next to Liberty Wharf

adamg — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:28:57 +0000

The Herald reports four development groups have submitted proposals for a city lot next to the waterfront restaurant complex, ranging from more restaurants to a boutique hotel to a "floating event space."

Just how innovative are you?

adamg — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:48:21 +0000

The BRA is hiring an Innovation District manager, the description for which sounds like the description for the people who run the city's Main Street programs in older 'hoods, only more innovationier - the successful candidate will attempt to recruit high-tech and biotech companies, instead of hardware stores and restaurants.

Rising rents driving some startups away from the Innovation District

adamg — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 14:05:50 +0000

The Boston Business Journal reports some entrepreneurs are now setting up shop in Downtown Crossing rather than pay rents that have jumped dramatically along the waterfront.

Vertex to pump $1.5 million into science education at two South Boston high schools

adamg — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:30:36 +0000

The company now building its headquarters on the South Boston waterfront today announced a science-education program at Boston Green Academy and Excel High School in South Boston, the mayor's office reports:

[The] programs will aim to increase student participation and achievement in advanced placement (AP) courses and prepare teachers for the national “Next Generation Science Standards” being implemented next year. Vertex also today announced the dedication of a new 3,000 square foot learning laboratory being constructed at its future headquarters in the Innovation District. The learning laboratory will be available for use by BPS and other community groups, allowing students and teachers to conduct scientific projects alongside Vertex scientists.

Up to 20 students at the schools will be selected as summer interns at the company once it moves from Cambridge; the company will also award two scholarships a year and create a research fellowship program for science teachers at the schools.

On the plus side, the tax break is still less than the CEO's yearly compensation

adamg — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:23:42 +0000

The Globe reports the BRA wants to give State Street an $11.5-million tax break to move into the Innovation District (so there must be innovative new ways to service the financial needs of the bank's rich clients, no?). It would be spread out over several years, the city would make a boatload of taxes on the building and, besides, the CEO made $16 million in salary and other compensation last year.