Keating and Tedeschi talk Gateway Cities (on the inaugural episode of our new podcast!)

The Gateway Cities Journal

Next week we’re off to New Bedford for the Sixth Annual Gateway Cities Summit & Awards. This year’s event is all about the economy, and how we position Gateway Cities to support regional growth in high-value industries. New Bedford is an excellent host city for this discussion. The historic whaling town sprang to life as a global energy innovator. Hearkening back to those roots, New Bedford now sits at the center of a region rich with marine technology, poised to become the frontier for US offshore wind development.



As a prelude to next week’s summit, we present our new podcast, Gateways. This first installment features the ninth congressional district candidates, Congressman Bill Keating and his Republican challenger, Peter Tedeschi. We discussed economic development, transportation, education, and more. Congressman Keating sees enormous opportunity for the region to become a new Silicon Valley with marine technology and science. Peter Tedeschi wants to work to ensure that Gateway Cities are places that play an important role in job creation by fostering the growth of small businesses.

We hope that you enjoy hearing directly from these two compelling candidates. In future episodes of Gateways, we will talk with politicians, practitioners, and policy leaders from Massachusetts and beyond. We warmly welcome your feedback and ideas for how we use this new platform to elevate the unique people, places, and possibilities of our Gateway Cities.

See you in New Bedford!

–Ben Forman & Aimee Weeden



Housing & Economic Development

The former Kresge department store in downtown Brockton, which previously hosted the pop-up Prova! beer garden, is announced as the site of a new $22 million mixed-income residential development.

MassDevelopment provides $5 million in loan financing for a new mixed-use development in Haverhill.

Condominium owners in Lowell won $1.4 million from the city after their property values decreased upon learning their units were built on a landfill.

Lynn floats legislation that would expand existing rules on vacant residential properties to include commercial properties.

The Worcester Public Housing Authority looks to make its first major expansion in over two decades. Meanwhile, the Worcester City Council considers a Business Improvement District.

Brookings blogs on housing policy, highlighting the comprehensive legislation recently filed by Senator Warren.

Transportation

Lynn pulls the plug on dockless bikes, citing their burdensome presence on sidewalks and in streets. A Daily Item editorial applauds the decision to ban Ant and Lime bikes but suggests starting over with a new go-slow approach in the spring.

The MBTA control board approves spending on a new commuter rail platform in Worcester. Service to Philadelphia launches at Worcester Regional Airport. And the Worcester Regional Transit Authority enters an agreement with the state that aims to solve the agency’s financial woes.

Quincy continues its efforts to decrease traffic congestion with a set of public forums on an on-street parking proposal.

Education

Charter schools advocates find themselves at odds with town officials in New Bedford and Malden.

Governance

Reflecting on Our Towns and The New Localism, Alan Ehrenhalt reflects on what it means if cities are the new centers of power.



The Manhattan Institute releases Urban Policy 2018, including chapters by Aaron Renn on the do’s and don’ts of urban branding and Judith Miller on News Deserts.

Creative Placemaking

Green Roots uses public art to revitalize a Chelsea alleyway.

The Barr Foundation invests $150,000 into public art installations in New Bedford and Fall River, with another $37,000 added in by local donors. The Barr and Klarman foundations team up to provide $25 million to 29 arts organizations across the state

A historic Salem train station finds a path to preservation in its conversion to a bed and breakfast.

Worcester gets its first beer garden, The Beer Brew Garden.

Communities & People

Former Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, writing for CityLab, explains the recent comeback of mid-sized American cities.

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