News
Gov. Patrick to Builders: Bring a Pie
April 7, 2011
| This morning at the Mass Building Congress breakfast, Gov.Deval Patrick listed the billions in public and private constructionprojects during the lean years that are keeping the hundreds of CRE pros packing a Seaport Convention Center ballroom busy. He asks one thing from them: bring a pie. |
 |
| We snapped him saying that in the Midwest where he grew up,neighbors brought newcomers pies. Here it seems neighbors expect recent arrivals to bring the treats. An insular, exclusionary attitude won't help the state grow and compete globally. Indeed, delegates on the governor?s trade mission to Israel said at a recent event they were ?shocked? to hear that Boston is viewed abroad as an insider?s city (please). We snapped him asking the crowd of builders, engineers, architects, and educators tocollaborate with us and with each other. Massachusetts has the talent, institutions, and tools and is building the infrastructure for future growth. If we come together, he says, we can leverage thatto great ends. |
 |
| The crowd gives him a standing O as he tells them about the state's accomplishments. Its strong credit rating is getting better. His administration is working to ensure secure healthcare and quality public education for all. Students are earning top national scores for achievement. The state is investing to upgrade roads, bridges, and communications networks. Mass is a national leader in creating jobs and is burnishing a rep as a good place to do business. Universities and medical centers are training innovators and supporting discovery. All this isn't an accident, he says. It reflects the administration's strategy to stress education,innovation, and infrastructure. |
 |
| Gov. Patrick says that even during the world financial collapsebillions have been invested in development projects. Last year alone, 50 construction projects valued at $1B got out of the ground. Much more is to come, including $3.6B in public infrastructure projects. If Vertex follows through on its intention to take 1.1M SF in two new build-to-suits in the Seaport District, it would be one of the largest real estate deals in Boston's historyand one of the largest construction projects in the country. As for a proposal to double the size of the Seaport convention center, ahhhh, let?s analyze this, he says. In the meantime, collaborate. And please bring a pie. |
