Above: Codman Square NDC Business Specialist Naldo Cardoso and BOLD Teens Director Tayla Alfred. Seth Daniel photo
The number of vacant storefronts in Codman Square has reached a critical mass over the past year and community members, developers, and merchants gathered to address the issue head-on during a June 3 meeting in the Great Hall.
The two-hour session hosted by the Codman Square Neighborhood Council (CSNC) included moderated “fireside chats” with panelists and an audience of about 100 people.
“It’s time to talk about our merchants’ district,” said CSNC President Cynthia Loesch-Johnson. “We’ve been focused on our merchants’ district for decades and we’ve seen it thrive and we’ve seen it in more challenging times. Right now, it’s in one of the more challenging periods of time…I don’t want to continue to have to leave my neighborhood to spend my money.”
As detailed in The Reporter last September, vacancies in the Square have become noticeable with metal security grates that go down and never go back up. Notable vacancies include the Citizen’s Bank building, the former Walgreen’s pharmacy, an aborted Popeyes’ chicken store, the former Subway Sandwich shop, and about a half-dozen other empty storefronts.
Jordy’s Men’s Store closed last year after six decades and has been replaced by a convenience store. The adjacent East Side Shoes store closed and is still vacant. The square overall has a saturation of convenience stores, fast food locations, nail and hair salons.
Mark Bouquet, left, of Legal Greens, moderated a chat with Codman landlords Ingrid Tucker, CEO of CSNDC, and Travis Lee, of TLee Development. Seth Daniel photo
Landlords, some of whom choose to leave their spaces vacant for long durations in hopes of renting to a national chain, are seen as a big part of the problem by some.
Travis Lee of TLee Development and Ingrid Tucker, CEO of Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation (NDC) are among the landlords that residents say get it right. They spoke together on a panel that explored the topic.
Lee said he makes frequent phone calls to property owners, some who are scared of liability issues and others who have given up and simply walked away from the square.
“It’s very hard to find a tenant and get a tenant that works out; I understand that,” Lee said. “Some people gave up and there’s no debt on the property and they just want to forget about it.
Jordy’s Men’s Store closed last year after six decades in Codman Square. Seth Daniel photo
“Unfortunately, we get the negative consequences of that landlord giving up. I think it ought to cost you something to have a vacant building…If you start getting fined, you’re likely to start thinking more about it.”
Tucker agreed that fines from city officials might help: “You have to hit them where it hurts, and you have to hit them in the pocketbooks. I love that.”
Naldo Cardoso, a business specialist with Codman Square NDC, said they have studied the district thoroughly over the last year and found that many owners feel disconnected. Many of the businesses that are open do not have updated leases and there is a need for a beautification of the district.
“We heard that landlords don’t want to fix anything and it’s [either] take the space as is or just move along,” he said.
Business owners Shawn Burgess of Burgess Realty, Cassandria Campbell of Fresh Food Generation, and Mike Dockery of Summit Electronics also added their insights.
Campbell credited her landlord, Travis Lee, for being helpful.
Joanna Edwards, left, of Thumbprint Realty, moderated a discussion with business owners including Cassandria Campbell of Fresh Food Generation, Mike Dockery of Summit Electronics, and Shawn Burgess of Burgess Realty. Seth Daniel photo
“We have a landlord that is not transactional, but someone we can call on and rely on for things,” she noted. “We transformed our business to be a sit-down with a liquor license and we’ve seen the support from the community for that.”
Burgess noted one key step that’s needed. “Business owners owning their space is a game-changer, and it creates a sense of community,” he said.
All were very bullish on the idea of creating a merchants association or reviving the defunct Main Streets program or establishing a state cultural district. By the end of the meeting, Dockery – who has been in business for 27 years – stepped up to lead that effort. Seven others volunteered to assist.
“There’s different energy now and things can change,” Dockery said. “There’s new growth and opportunity. If we work together we can get it done. It’s new blood and it’s an opportunity to grow and continue to grow.”
Eric Esteves, director of the Boston Main Streets Foundation, said they would be willing to talk about the steps needed to restore the Main Streets program, if that’s a priority. And Donald Wright, interim director of Economic Development and Inclusion for the city, pledged to keep tabs on the efforts and make clear what resources are available.
State Rep. Russell Holmes, state Sen. Nick Collins, and CSNC President Cynthia Loesch Johnson talk about the merchants’ district. Seth Daniel photo
State Rep. Russell Holmes and state Sen. Nick Collins both warned that businesses leaders must lead, with Holmes noting a need for more people who have money to shop in the district.
“This work needs to be done by the merchants and not the people in the community observing things,” Holmes said.
“My other problem is we need to build out this district with more density and more people who will shop here – development without displacement, but bringing in the people we need also,” he added.
Meetings of the merchants and stakeholders are expected to convene in the coming months to continue the discussion.
