Ever notice bad news is nearly always released on a Friday?
"Downtown Crossing to shutter pushcart program" by Jenn Abelson | Globe Staff, March 08, 2013
A Downtown Crossing business group is shutting down the pushcart program that has operated for more than three decades, angering many of the 27 vendors who stuck it out through lean times in the shopping district, now in the midst of a dramatic makeover.
Rosemarie Sansone, president of the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District, a group of property owners in the area, said its consultants are working on plans to launch a smaller and better pushcart program next year. Meantime, the current crop of merchants — who sell fruits and vegetables, hats, handbags, and other goods — have until the end of this month to push their carts someplace else....
“Vendors have always been a staple of the Downtown Crossing area for many years, but many of the carts and merchandise need to be upgraded as the area is revived,” she said. That revival includes a gleaming tower that will rise from the former Filene’s department store site and be one of the city’s tallest buildings.
But Linda DeMarco, who runs a Boston Pretzel stand in Downtown Crossing, said that while she knew of general plans to improve the pushcart program, merchants were never told the current one would be scrapped when annual permits expire at the end of March. The business improvement district, a voluntary association of property owners that aims to raise money for stepped-up services, runs the pushcart program, and the Boston Department of Public Works issues permits since the carts operate on city streets....
In the last year or so, the long-drab Downtown Crossing has become a major construction zone as developers try to capitalize on the improving economy and an influx of young professionals into Boston.
Also see: Sunday Globe Special: Boston's New Blood
What this is looking like more and more to me is the remaking of Boston to serve the elite. They don't care about citizens, they only care about $$$.
New residences are being built in the district — with more planned — and trendy restaurants and other niche businesses have either opened or are on the way.
But prior to this burst of activity, the area suffered a long drought brought on by the recession, its streets pocked by empty storefronts and — especially — the large excavation pit where Filene’s once stood. That long-stalled project, which came to symbolize the plight of the district, is finally moving forward.
Related: City Planners Screw Up
Boston Turned Blind Eye to Building Violations
Filene's Hits Bottom
All Sales Final at Filene's
It's All Downtown, Boston!
Now get out.
To clear the construction site, the pushcart program — which had more than 40 vendors in 2007 — had to vacate about 20 spots. Some of the displaced merchants were able to relocate nearby, but others left the district.
Geoffrey Lambert, who runs a fruit and vegetable stand in Downtown Crossing, said Sansone pressed pushcart owners to support the business district group when it was forming several years ago....
“She is ready to push everyone to the side now,” he said. “We thought it was going to help us out. Now I have to find a new living.”
Vendors who persevered at Downtown Crossing during the tough years should be commended, said Randi G. Lathrop, the Boston Redevelopment Authority’s director of business development division. She said the district is embarking on a revitalization effort that will ultimately result in positive changes to the streetscape, signage, and businesses.
Among the changes Lathrop envisions for pushcarts is a more diverse mix, including artists, as well as higher-quality carts like those at Faneuil Hall and Copley Place. She noted that several vendors currently stationed in the neighborhood sell the same hats and bags.
You see that, current pushcart people? They think you are scum.
And as for selling the same products, that is so not America, huh? Yup, Burger King right next to the McDonalds, but you pushcart people.... I guess there is the marketplace, and then there is the marketplace. So much for capitalist competition, 'eh?
Related: How Big is Your BRA, Boston?
What do you mean they padded and stuffed their pensions?
A survey of about 500 people in Downtown Crossing was recently conducted by the consultants to find out what shopping options customers want. The feedback will help guide requests for proposals for the permanent pushcart program, Lathrop said.
“It’s important for the [Downtown Boston Business Improvement District] to carefully work with pushcart operators that can contribute to these areas,” she said. “These are small business and are vital to the area.”
Now get out.
The best businesses with the most unique or popular merchandise will participate in the transition program, according to Sansone, and that could include new merchants such as food trucks.
I am no longer hungry for the Boston Globe, sorry.
But she could not promise most of the existing vendors would remain or provide details on how many carts will eventually be permitted.
“Many have been asked to correct some of the ways they display their goods. They don’t always respond,” Sansone said. “Some people can rise to the standard and some people have not really done so.”
Wow, what a sickening city of elites.
Some merchants said they would like the first shot at the permits when the program launches given their commitment to Downtown Crossing.
“There should have been a seamless transition giving those business owners that want to stay the option to do so,” said Craig Caplan, who runs two carts, The Unique Boutique and Boston Souvenirs, and leases out six others. “Don’t you think the people who managed to keep Downtown Crossing alive during difficult times should be allowed to be there during the good new times? There is no need to put people out of work.”
Is that how the city says thank you?
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UPDATE:
"Mayor Menino gives pushcart vendors 60-day extension; Operators sue over plan to end renewals" by Jenn Abelson | Globe Staff, March 12, 2013
Mayor Thomas M. Menino is giving a 60-day extension to street vendors in Downtown Crossing after the pushcart operators fought back with a lawsuit and online petition to let them stay in business.
The complaint filed Monday against the City of Boston and the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District accuses officials of breaking promises to let the pushcarts operate through this year and seeks an injunction to prevent them from getting kicked out.
The suit comes days after the Downtown Crossing business group confirmed it would not continue the pushcart program after permits for the 27 vendors expire at the end of March.
“Shutting down the program will destroy my life,” said Julio Calderon, who filed the lawsuit and has operated several pushcarts in Downtown Crossing for over 20 years. “For me, this is the worst thing that could happen.”
Calderon, who runs the Discovery Imports pushcart, said the business improvement district made clear he could continue operating through the end of 2013. As a result, Calderon said, he has incurred costs such as storage fees for the pushcarts and merchandise purchases in advance of the tourist season.
Rosemarie Sansone, president of the business improvement district — a group of property owners in the area — could not be reached for comment. In an interview Friday, Sansone said the association expects new and existing businesses will be able to apply to participate in an interim pushcart program this spring so the district can test different merchandise and locations.
She said consultants hired by the group are working on plans to launch a smaller and better pushcart program next year that could include new retailers such as food trucks.
But many vendors said they were not informed about the upcoming termination and are upset that they are being forced out after sticking by Downtown Crossing during lean times caused by the recession and the stalled Filene’s project, which left a massive crater in the middle of the neighborhood.
“They never told us anything about it,” said Driss Beramdane, who has sold sunglasses from his New Look cart for about 14 years. “I’m worried that as soon as we leave, they will bring in new merchants there and they will forget about us.”
Menino has also expressed opposition to efforts to end the program.
“The vendors who are in Downtown Crossing have been there in the bad times and never walked away — they should be allowed to stay, and we will help them stay to enjoy the good times, too. I believe it can and should, happen,” he said Monday.
Over the past year, the long-struggling Downtown Crossing area has become a major construction hub as developers build new residences and open trendy restaurants. The revitalization includes a huge tower that will be erected on the former Filene’s department store site....
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Also see: Pushcarts fit in the future of Downtown Crossing
