The Promise of Renewal in Massachusetts Gateway Cities

Formerly consigned to rust belt obsolescence, postindustrial cities are rejuvenating around their gritty, pre-suburban charm. Massachusetts wants to extend the renewal of places like Pittsburgh, Brooklyn, and its own Boston to "gateway cities" across the state. Although the MassDevelopment fund lays claim to a mere $16 million, the Boston Globe's Paul McMorrow argues that might be enough to spur change.

Instead of funding development directly, the MassDevelopment initiative will tap into unique, contextual elements of the gateway cities, incubating projects that will maximize those assets and attract further investment. Says McMorrow: "From the canals in Lowell and Holyoke to New Bedford’s port to Malden’s classic downtown and Chelsea’s industrial architecture, Massachusetts’ smaller cities are full of the types of urban amenities that have catalyzed development in other cities. Most just haven’t put all the pieces together in a systematic way yet."

The MassDevelopment fund will reward three winning proposals identifying prime, walkable redevelopment districts. This is not meant to be development from scratch. The key is to recognize that "that these larger developments will only work if they’re tapping into a strong sense of place, and a workable local development vision."