Aspiring writers, literary enthusiasts and cultural zealots are one step closer to to having their own slice of Boston that’s just as dedicated to putting the pen to paper (fingers to keyboard?) as they are. Next week, Boston City Councilors will be putting forth a resolution for the approval of a proposed Literary Cultural District, and full support of the Council is expected.
The initiative is being spearheaded by City Councilors Ayanna Pressley and Michelle Wu, both of whom sit on the Arts, Film, Humanities & Tourism Committee (Councillor Wu chairs the committee) as well as organizations like GrubStreet, which helped to secure the District’s initial funding.
Local restaurants and hotels are also getting in on the action – most notably Hostelling International, the Omni Parker House, the Westin Copley, the Fairmont Copley and Carrie Nation – expressing their support and interest for lending their hands in any capacity they can.
The advocation for a literature-centric district, though, goes back to 2010 when the Massachusetts Legislature enacted a law affording the Commonwealth the authority to designate specified cultural areas – revenue neutral spaces that are densely populated and designed to be walkable, place-based and authentic.
BostInno spoke with Councilor Pressley, as well as Literary Cultural District Coordinator Larry Lindner, about the overall benefits of a creating Literary Cultural District, as well as the next steps needed to bring it into fruition. Aside from the prospect of a financial boost to the to-be-determined region, Pressley said over the phone that this is yet another example “of Boston leading way.”
This stands to be the first district of this specific variety in the entire country.
Though the cultural districts are technically described as revenue-neutral, it’s expected that they’ll “incentivize foot traffic in neighborhoods by Bostonians and tourists” as well as “businesses of arts and culture to set up shop within those boundaries,” noted Pressley.
“I also love that it’s an effort driven by the community,” she added.
Pressley helped get the ball rolling by going into every Boston neighborhood to better inform them of what exactly was in the works. She then encouraged them to establish their own working groups to give voice to the communities and put forth any suggestions.
Now, Lindner told BostInno during a phone call, the process is poised at a very pivotal point that will determine if, when and how all parties involved can continue forging onward.
Should next week’s resolution pass, which everyone is expecting it will, a series of meetings and hearings will ensue between the Massachusetts Cultural Council, City of Boston officials and other players involved.
If all goes according to plan, and Lindner couldn’t stress more that there are a lot of ifs, the District could be launched by the end of September or early October, just in time for the height of tourist season.
Before that happens, though, the MCC will review the application, convene the applicable meetings, tour the proposed District and the sites included within its bounds, and iron out any kinks while conveying any concerns they may have along the way.
Should that part of the process proceed swimmingly, the MCC board will vote in the third week of August on a hard launch. Once the City of Boston is conferred with, the District will become a reality.
But a fall launch is contingent on a best-case scenario for each and every step in the process.
“Boston is in the midst of a literary renaissance,” Lindner said. “And while a lot of historic sites and sculptures will be included, this should not be construed as a literary trail. It’s very much a district.”
The boundaries of the district are sprawling, as you can see by the tentative map mock-up above, courtesy of GrubStreet. In general, it will be bordered by Washington Street to the east, Dartmouth Street to the west, Beacon Hill to the north and Boylston Street to the south.
A mobile app likely to debut sometime in 2015 could help people navigate their way through the District, but really it’s all about community involvement.
“Once it’s up and running, it’ll host events and programs – readings, signings, poetry slams, writing classes and symposia,” Lindner continued. “I went to a poetry reading put on by MassPoetry that had people of note like Deval Patrick come and read their favorite poems.” Events like this is what the District will allow for, only with increased publicity and engagement.
Thinking that perhaps this entire idea may be too good to be true, though hoping otherwise, I asked Lindner if he’s encountered any opposition to the creation of the District or foresees any down the road.
Aside from any technicalities the MCC may deem insufficient, “the support has been overwhelmingly positive.” The only concerns thus far are if the literary historic sites are being chosen with the appropriate care or if the general process in establishing the District clear enough.
“It’s hard to get a project off the ground without anyone having no concerns,” Lindner added. “But more than 99 percent are very happy about this.”
Image via GrubStreet
