Committee Report CR-1
The Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee held a joint public meeting on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 5:16 PM in the Cahners Theatre, Museum of Science, 1 Science Park.
The purpose of the meeting was to explore how long-term collaborative efforts between the cities of Cambridge and Boston can heighten the region's ability to retain talented students and to consider the impact on neighborhoods and long-term development.
Present at the meeting from Cambridge were Councillor Leland Cheung, Chair of the Committee, Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves, Councillor Minka vanBeuzekom, Richard Rossi, Deputy City Manager, Lisa Peterson, Commissioner of Public Works, Rebecca Rutenberg, Aide to Councillor Cheung, Chris Basler, Economic Development Division of Community Development Department (CDD) Pardis Saffari, Associate Planner, Economic Development Division (CDD), Iram Farooq Zoning and Land Use Project Planner, CDD, Manisha Tibrewal, Principal Budget Analyst, Budget Department, and Interim City Clerk Donna P. Lopez.
Present at the meeting from Boston were Tito Jackson, Boston City Councilor for District 7, Frank Pryor, Chief of Staff, Bennett Wilson, Deputy Chief of Staff, Robert Woodson, Director of Constituent Services, Michael Nichols, Committee Liaison, Ayanna Pressley, Boston City Councilor At-Large, Chloe Ryan, Manager ONEin3 and Nicole Fichera, Manager, BRA Innovation District.
Also present at the meeting were Joseph L. Wilson, 125 Sixth Street, Cambridge, Marilyn Wellons, 651 Green Street, Cambridge, Barry Bluestone, 101 Trowbridge Street, Cambridge, Jack C. Gray, 14 Maple Avenue, Cambridge, Gary Dmytryk, 2440 Mass. Avenue, Cambridge, Jonte Craighead, 3 Ames Street, Cambridge, John A. Hawkinson, P.O. Box 397103, Cambridge, Joel Payne, 107 Chilton Street, Cambridge, Stephen H. Elliott, 700 Huron Avenue, Cambridge, Robert Bird, 153 Fifth Street, Mark Kampert, 76 Fifth Street, Cambridge, Sean Laurence, 150 Gore Street Cambridge, Carrie Stalder, 118 Elm Street, Cambridge, Walt Frisk, 7 Story Street, Cambridge, Gustavo Quiroga, 163 Allston Street, Cambridge, Lv Randolph, 929 Mass. Avenue, Cambridge, Sam Seidel, 381 Broadway, Cambridge, Carole Bellew, 257 Charles Street, Cambridge, Samuel Gebru, 812 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, Margaret Levin, 35 Buena Vista Place, Cambridge, Robert LaTremouille, 875 Mass. Avenue, Cambridge, Alan Hu, 6 Edgerly Place, Boston, Eric Ferrara, 53 Alewife Lane, Weymouth, Meghan E. Reilly, 190D Sydney Street, Dorchester, Denise L. Perrault, 684Haverhill Street, Lowell, Stas Gayshan, 201 Summer Street, Boston, Patty Katsgios, 451 Mass. Avenue, Boston, Andrew Messinger, 174 Walnut Street, Boston, Meichelle A. Ferguson, 35 Bailey Street, Boston, Stephen Smith, 138 Tremont Street, Boston, Will Poff-Webster, 7 Dresden Street, Boston, Dennis Keohane, 34 Oak Knoll Road, Boston, Macy Bench, 45 W. Broadway, South Boston, Chad O'Connor, Northeastern, Evan Spetrini, 1 City Hall Square, Boston, Tara Desisto, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Cecilla Vernes, 125 Chindick Road, Brighton, Amanda Chisholm, 7 Greenough Avenue, Boston, Maria Schroeder, 113 Savin Street, Malden, Dave Devoe, 6 Rockwell Street, Boston, Alex Lessin, 15 Belmont Square, Boston, Oti Achamfour, 10 Wrentham Road, Worcester, Michelle Wu, 160 W. Freddie Street, Boston, Judy Kim, Emily Dahlgard, 265 Franklin Street, Boston, Chris Rowland, 45 Whitford Circle, Marshfield, Joshua Hurwitz, 15 Lee Street, Jamaica Plain, Ramzy Haider, 111 Kilsytn Road, Boston, Danielle Deplin, Fidelity, Sofia Lazo, 3 Highland Street, Boston, Sheldon Fischer, 89 South Street, Boston, Dennis P. Jackson, 198 Tremont Street, Boston, Straw C. John, 94 Scamp Street, Boston, Jordan McMillan, 49 Symphony Street, Boston, Cleritza Abreu, 3 E. Alden Avenue, Boston, Adrian Velazques, Nathan Rothstein, Bryan Jamele, Richard Varga, Johan Boissard, Raphael Odrgenhein, Reginald Swift, Peter C. Andrews, Srett Butters, 69 Harrist Street , Brighton, Craig Ramsdell, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, Jason Turgeon, 33 Beth Glen Street, Boston, Nick Corrado, 129 Monadneck Road, Boston, Tiffany Trobasco, Max Fittin, J. Doe, Malia Cozan, Elizabeth Costello, 26 Coniston Road, Boston, Jason Hanna, 337 Summer Street, Boston, Leander Robinson, 325 Durbin Street, Boston, Evelyn Barahona, 6 Margaret Street, Boston, Jamaal Pettwory, 47 Curtin Road, Boston and Alassa Marchant, 259 Nort Street, Boston.
The meeting convened and the purpose was stated. The meeting was titled "World Class Cities Partnership Talent Retention Meeting." An agenda was distributed
Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson stated that this hearing is before the City of Boston's Committee on Global Opportunities and Innovation & Technology.
This is a regional issue and Cambridge and Boston are interconnected. Boston has 150,000 students and 54 percent leave after they graduate. This area is a hub, but hubs are also a place where people leave. He wants the Greater Boston area to be a destination. He acknowledged the World Class Cities Partnership for the great work done in preparing their Talent Magnets report.
Cambridge City Councillor Leland Cheung stated that this is a meeting on improving talent retention rates in the Greater Boston area. He welcomed all attendees to the second meeting of this type, the first of which was held in conjunction with Boston City Councilor Mike Ross in December 2010. The cities of Cambridge and Boston often attract some of the greatest talent across the globe, but it is essential that we take the necessary steps to ensure that these innovators chose to stay in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is passionate about this issue because in June 2012, he became a graduate. This is not a town/gown issue. It is important that the City and surrounding community view students as assets rather than temporary residents - assets in growing our economy, enriching our community, and educating our young. In order to keep students in the area we need to provide the tools that they need to live healthy and comfortable lives, such as access to internships while in school, an expanded range and breadth of jobs, affordable housing and convenient transportation. This is an issue that impacts neighborhoods, cities, the region, the state, and the nation. This is a broader discussion that needs comprehensive solutions.
The assembly now heard from Michael Lake, World Class Cities Partnerships who stated that the issue before us is talent retention. Young talent is increasingly important in maintaining the knowledge-based economy of our region, and if it is not retained then we have weakened our future economic potential. He stated that State Street is the second largest bank and was looking for 300 technologists. There was not a deep enough pool of local talent, so the company was built in China. Boston was ranked 10th as a globally competitive city and Kendall Square is the most innovative area in the world. There are 76 colleges in the Boston area, but if we cannot retain the talent we have then we simply have long term tourists. We lose one out of every two students in the region in the seven years after graduation. Northeastern University has integrated students into the area by connecting them with internships during their college years that allow them to build connections with the community. The cost of the living is not the reason that people are leaving; people are leaving for more expensive locations. He stated that there are three phases of retention: recent graduates, young professionals and families. Lifestyles retain people in the five to seven years after graduation. Affordability is the issue when families are started. Once families have children, then schools are the issue. There were 5 findings that increase retention rates: early student integration, university/city partnerships, creating and promoting the brand, embracing immigration and emigration and the quality of life/lifestyle. He referenced current public policy challenges including university class limits, rental market rules, a lack of on-campus housing during the summer, and immigration.
Councillor Jackson asked what the most critical piece is to keeping students. Mr. Lake stated that it is integrating students into the surrounding community through internships and ensuring that they have the opportunity to get a job after they graduate. The high number of graduates in the area creates 400 resumes for every available job.
The assembly now heard from Greg Bialecki, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development who stated that what he believed to be his most useful contribution is to explain where we are in the innovation economy. When Governor Patrick ran for office eight years ago his slogan was "together we can." The next ten years will be a challenge and an opportunity. Massachusetts has recovered from the recession. Boston and Cambridge are the center for innovation talent. However, although we are the dominant innovation economy on the East Coast, our perception of unquestioned dominance is over. It will be a challenge to maintain our standing as the East Coast's leading center of innovation. While Kendall Square is the envy of the world, there is no room to stand still. If Cambridge and Boston were to work together on innovation, it would help to brand the area for young talent. He spoke about the potential for collaboration on transportation, transportation financing and immigration reform.
Councillor Cheung spoke about the Kendall Square rezoning which helps MIT to expand and ensures that the region remains a place where startups can build the innovative products of tomorrow. He asked how the need for increased housing can be addressed. What role could the gateway cities play? Mr. Bialecki stated that the Governor has a goal for 10,000 more units of housing. Cambridge and Boston have done well with housing; they have been models. We need to think regionally. We need to think about the marketplace and what the most important choices for retention of students are.
The third speaker to address the assembly was Colette Phillips, President and CEO of Colette Phillips Communications, Inc. who stated that Boston and Cambridge do not have an issue attracting students, but they do struggle to retain them. The barriers are the affordability of housing. She suggested tax incentive for recent graduates. Boston and Cambridge are often not the most welcoming cities for recent graduates, although this is the nature of Northeast and Massachusetts. When you add race, class and language, the issues grow."Get Konnected" helps connect students in the outside world. Councillor Cheung stated that a Get Konnected event will be done in Cambridge for the innovation community.
Chloe Ryan manages the City of Boston's ONEin3 program which serves the one-third of Boston's population that is between the ages of 20 and 34 by connecting them to Boston's resources related to home buying, business development, professional networking, and civic engagement. 20-34 year olds makes up over half of Boston's workforce. Medical, educational and technology companies are attracted to Cambridge and Boston because of the 20-34 year old workforce. Boston's 2020 housing plan is exciting and will increase housing for young adults and families. ONEin3 challenges all attendees to do what they can to keep Boston an exciting and innovative place to work.
Nicole Fichera, Innovation District Manager, BRA, stated that Boston is an elite innovation city and is growing fast. Mayor Menino wants to push for more. Innovation is an economic driver and is the reason why young people stay in Boston. Young businesses have different needs, and as a result, buildings and public spaces are developing differently. Boston and Cambridge cannot compete against each other. She remarks that the attendees are possibly sitting in one of the most innovative spots in the world: the border of Cambridge and Boston. Councillor Cheung asked if there is any collaboration between new residents, and how recently they entered the region. Ms. Ryan stated that 60% come from outside of the Greater Boston area. Councillor Jackson asked what other integration work is being done by ONEin3. Ms. Ryan stated that Northeastern University and Emmanuel College were asked what can be done to welcome new and graduating students.
. The panel participants were Christian Schlachte, Boston University student, Matt Lauzon, Gemvara & #RubyRiot, Krista Blair, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Tim Rowe, Cambridge Innovation Center, Charles Glick, Charles Group Consulting, Dan O'Connell, Massachusetts Competitive Partnership and Michael Greeley, Flybridge Capital Partners.
Krista Blair stated that in 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston published a research report about how local solutions could assist in retaining college graduates in the area. This has not improved much today. An online intern matching program was established. She asked what can Boston and Cambridge do continue collaboration and connect businesses with local students
Michael Greeley spoke regarding his concerns regarding the region's brain drain issues and briefly discussed two initiatives developed to combat this problem. He stated that there is a lack of mentorships to help students.
Charles Glick stated that he is a resident of Cambridge that works in Boston and fully supports future collaboration between the two cities. He runs a lobbying firm that serves nonprofit clients operating for the public good. He runs an internship program that provides government relations training to a number of local students each semester and states that one of his primary goals is assisting them in establishing relationships with government professionals, issue advocates, and other members of the community. He challenges businesses to see their establishment as a training ground for the region's future leaders.
Matt Lauzon, Gemvara and #RubyRiot, challenged all to say they are from Boston, even if they are from Cambridge. It is crazy to fight about the placement of his business in Cambridge and Boston. He stated that it feels that Cambridge and Boston are worlds apart rather than just a length of a bridge. We need to build a brand to keep young people here. He stated that more time needs to be spent connecting students with companies that have 10-100 employees. The universities in Cambridge and Boston have to come together.
Tim Rowe, CIC, suggested that the "chief executives" of both cities should connect. He spoke of the importance of the region's culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, referencing the importance of entrepreneurs doing little things that are different. He urged business leaders to think about their role, and to always ask how they can help students and fledgling leaders. He spoke about the red line connecting Cambridge, Somerville and Boston-- let's make it dense. He spoke about lab start up space that will be opening soon.
Christian Schlachte, a student from BU, spoke about what would encourage him to stay when he graduated. He notes that the prime thing that young adults are looking for immediately following graduation is a great job. He stated that guarantee of employment is an incentive to stay in the region, regardless of other obstacles.
Councillor vanBeuzekom stated that she is a refugee from NJ. She came to Massachusetts, loved the area and stayed. Post-graduate life is about having a good job and living in an exciting place. She spoke about students becoming an integral part of the community. Retaining student is about long term economic stability.
Councillor Reeves stated that he would not vote to be Boston-Cambridge. You cannot be a world class city unless you are able to get a meal late at night, take the T late at night and go to a bar late at night. He challenged Mr. Rossi to have 4 AM liquor licenses.
Matt Lauzon asked why Councillor Reeves was combative. Councillor Reeves stated that ideas are always welcome around the table in Cambridge. When you are the home of Harvard and MIT and the innovation cluster why would you want to be anywhere else? Matt Lauzon stated that there are not a lot of graduates here and they feel that their voices are not heard.
The panel consisted of Tarun Rathnam, Google, Beth Nicklas, Mass Life Sciences Center, James Chisholm, New England Tech Project, Scott Bailey, Mass Challenge and Ben Forman, MassINC.
Scott Bailey moved here for Mass Challenge. Boston is recognized as a world class city. This fact should be played up more. He wanted to reach out to other cities. He spoke about Boston as a global hub.
James Chisholm stated that he has worked for both a Cambridge and Boston city councillor. When considering retaining talent, can we turn rhetoric into action? Students are dreaming about coming to Boston. What is good for Boston and Cambridge is good for Massachusetts. He stated that Boston and Cambridge cannot exist as innovation islands - they must work collaboratively if they wish to succeed.
Ben Forman spoke about the importance of startups staying to maturity. A transportation infrastructure must be financed regionally. Family policy child care, health care and childcare leave policies must be strengthened. Other issues that impact the retention rates of recent graduates are the cost of living and housing. He spoke about improving the quality of life - bars and restaurant should be staying open later. Never before have we seen the extremes income inequality that is currently present in Cambridge and Boston.
Beth Nicklas, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, spoke about life science internship programs. Over 1,000 students have benefitted from a program started by the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and the initiative has also aided companies in Boston and Cambridge. Community college students are well trained and more likely to remain in Cambridge and Boston. Mentoring is critical. Investments have been and should be made in STEM education. RSTA has received funding from this initiative.
Tarun Rathnam works for Google and sits on the IT group in Cambridge. He works, lives, and socializes in Kendall Square. He stated that Kendall Square has morphed. He urged Cambridge to keep doing what it is doing. He suggested doing a better job of marketing what we have. Young hires know what they want to do so offer opportunities; this has staying power. Google employees love working with their peers. All network opportunities to connect people create a feeling of investment in the city and they stay.
Pardis Saffari, Associate Planner, Economic Division, Cambridge Community Development Department, spoke about affordability of spaces for startups, office and lab space and housing. Lab Central will open in Cambridge this year. K2C2 is looking for affordable space in the new development. She spoke about workforce development, especially for young adults not attending college.
Ayanna Pressley, Boston City Councilor, spoke about the inequities present throughout the region that have yet to be addressed by either city. She spoke about culture and diversity.
Alan Woo came to Boston at 16 and never left. He likes the emphasis on regional thinking. He would like to see the universities working together. Urban Ring Project was shelved due to lack of funding which was a wheel with spokes to link all the areas. Universities are running shuttle busses that are closed to the general public. Boston is slow to catch on to students being involved with the City.
Carol Bellew stated that neighborhood groups are important. The East Cambridge Planning Team works with the developers and works out of the box. It is important to have people working together.
Compact who seeks employees of color. She expressed concerns about resumes being scanned and not being viewed by a human being.
Bob Simha, Director of Planning for MIT from 1960-90, spoke about the days when Cambridge worked together with MIT to make Cambridge a viable community. It has taken 50 years to sit around table to talk about the economic eco system. Cambridge has gone through 4 economic cycles. MIT is planning to build a commercial building on academic land and MIT will not be able to produce the manpower it needs.
Michelle Ferguson stated that jobs need to be created. People will stay here if they have jobs and quality schools. There are entrepreneurs who have ideas but no capital through which to develop them.
Sean Johnson stated that his company takes young professional and ushers them into jobs they love. Eighty-five startups were impacted by these students. He urged aligning passion with profession.
were discussed together. Panel Three consisted of Brian Spatocco, Graduate Student President, MIT, Katherine Levine Einstein, Boston University, Eric Ferrara, Northeastern Co-Op Student and student speaker and John Lai, Harvard business School MBA Student. Panel Four consisted of Greg Selkoe, Future Boston Alliance and Karmaloop, Joel Edwards/Funsho Owojori, Suffolk University students and Stay Up Boston leaders, Derrick Cheung, Green Street Vault Fashion Truck and Julia Butler, recent Boston University graduate.
Julia Butler stated that Boston University has a good reputation for community service. Community service gives students ownership of the community and will encourage students to stay.
Greg Selkoe stated that there is a branding and a structural approach problem. Boston is pitted against Cambridge. The approach in Boston is top down. Entrepreneurs need flexibility. We are a region of "no." This needs to be changed.
Malia Lazu notes that this type of coming together creates energy for both Cambridge and Boston. We have missed talking about the intangibles and how to develop feelings and energy. People want to come together outside their silos.
John Lai, student at Harvard Business School, stated that he has seen his friends leave Cambridge and Boston over the last 8 years. He stated that students care about lifestyles as much as jobs. Students would prefer a mediocre job with a great city. It is difficult to separate the city from the job. There are two communities - people who work in Cambridge/Boston versus people who live in Cambridge/Boston. There is an opportunity to make friends.
Eric Ferrara, John Hancock, is a non-native student from PA. He attended Northeastern University because he wanted to go to a college with a co-op program. He emphasized the importance of integrating students into the surrounding community while they are in school.
Katherine Einstein, Boston University, presented United States Census data that demonstrates that when students leave following graduation, they are primarily relocating to Southern areas with low housing costs and high numbers of available jobs.
Joel Edwards, Suffolk University student, spoke about the importance of extending the MBTA's hours. People want to have a way to get home late at night. Other states do not have this same problem.
Derrick Cheung, Emerson graduate, stated that he runs the Green Street Vault, a clothing store based out of a van. He expressed his difficulties communicating with the City about permits, economic needs, and other issues. He stated that there is a huge communication problem, and asked how this problem can be solved.
Funsho Owojori, Stay Up Boston, spoke about the importance of extending the MBTA's hours later at night. A dialogue needs to be open between the city and its students. Mr. Selkoe stated that more money needs to be spent on public transportation.
Councillor Jackson stated that this is the beginning for collaboration between Cambridge and Boston. This conversation should not end after the hearing.