Councilman Wants to Ban New Banks From Boston Neighborhood
- Posted on May 22, 2012 at 4:05pm by
Becket Adams
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Boston City Councilor Michael Ross wants to block big banks from adding branch stores to a Beacon Hill neighborhood, CBS Boston reports.
“The proliferation of large banks that would replace the small mom-and-pop stores threatens to erode the character of Charles Street,” Ross said.
“For banks to occupy a 50-foot storefront, shut down at 5 p.m. and be closed on weekends creates dead space. We’re talking about a commercial business district that is thriving and it needs to be protected,” he added.
Ross has proposed a plan that would force banks to seek the approval of the Zoning Board of Appeals to open new branches on Charles Street.
Watch the CBS Boston report:
This isn’t the first time people in the area have fought against banks opening new branches.
Back in January, Capital One wanted to lease space vacated by the Charles Street Market, “a beloved convenience store,” according to CBS Boston.
“Neighbors organized to keep Capital One out, arguing that more banks would hurt the street that works best with independent shops and upscale boutiques that are not available on Newbury Street and Downtown Crossing,” the report adds.
Capital One conceded defeat.
Ross’ battle will pit him against Mayor Thomas M. Menino. The mayor says Ross’ zoning plan would “wreak havoc” by “requiring a special permit for one kind of retailer.”
“That’s reactionary zoning and we don’t do that,” Menino told the BBJ.
“I’d rather work with the businesses on Charles Street to have an effective way to deal with the issue. I’d rather make an effort to entice, not prohibit certain kind of uses. I’m not even sure we could have a zoning amendment that just excludes banks,” he added.
Susan Symonds, former president of the Beacon Hill Business Association, sides with Ross and said that adding banks to an “intimate neighborhood shopping district” like Charles Street “detracts from its destination feeling.”
“People will not come to Charles Street anymore if it’s not a shopping destination,” she said.
“Banks don’t add much to the neighborhood. You don’t visit Newbury Street or Charles Street to go to a bank. Most people bank online anyway.”
(H/T: CBS Boston)
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RANGER1965
Posted on May 23, 2012 at 10:33amYou need to look at this from the perspective a growing commercial center. I doubt this is an attack on banks or some kind of OWS fantasy.
A growing commercial center in a town is like a mall, you want a good balance of stores so that a consumer can go to one area of town and visit plenty of stores, including ones they didn’t intend to visit, when they started out. This is even more important in a small town with a town square where you want people to show up, shop, visit with friends, etc. This tends to build community.
Too many banks is the same as having too many of any type of store in the same area. A good town council will try to keep things balanced and orderly so that it best serves the town, not any one merchant.
Report Post »armyofnibiru
Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:45pmyour right ,but i thought this was a free america ,why do they need cash to shopping with,the govornment can’t track your every purchase like with a credit card.maybe all banks should move out of boston. we’ll see how good the shops would do ay.
Report Post »DIR
Posted on May 23, 2012 at 4:41am“Councilman Wants to Ban New Banks From Boston Neighborhood”
The folks would be better off to ban all coucilmen/women from the neighborhood, or better yet tar and feather them when they come to location near you. One problem with councilmen/women they come up with one rediculous idea after another then see which one they get the best traction with.
Report Post »iac
Posted on May 22, 2012 at 10:47pmLet the neighborhood and shoppers decide.
Report Post »Open up a bank with an ATM for the ‘Destination Shoppers’ and see if it survives.
Who the F*** is Michael Ross to decide for everyone else?
Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on May 22, 2012 at 8:01pmSounds reasonable. Problem is the black leadership don’t want them in their neighborhood either. Too much tax base. They prefer pawn shops. They prefer “nothing” that threatens the Federal assistance a tax base might pose.
Report Post »football lady
Posted on May 22, 2012 at 5:35pmSnob Hill
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on May 22, 2012 at 5:31pmYeah, they don’t add much, just jobs and a convenient place to bank, that’s all. Hey it’s a free country… for now.
Report Post »objectivetruth
Posted on May 23, 2012 at 9:23amI see your point.What you and other posters might not have thought of is this.Banks while providing convience and jobs also come with a drawback.They are a target for criminals and crime,A big one.It costs more money to secure a bank.It also needs dual use security.Its closed on the weekends.Many other service industries that are targets for robbery and theft are open and running.The employees provide a semiform of security while being employed under other titles.It doesn’t require additional money.I’m not sure of the neigborhood its located in.It might be that it would be targeted at night after most shoppers have gone home.[ATM Robbery-abduction for robbery rape]
Report Post »If this is the case he should have come right out and said it though.However when have any of them actually spoke the truth.They are too afraid that the truth will hurt the remaining businesses.Its not just in boston its everywhere.That is one thing that just sticks in my craw about all of um.