As the city prepares to add over one million s/f of new, green corporate office space within the new Quincy Center, community leaders are partnering to promote the new downtown as a BIOReady site as recently featured at the BIO International Conference held in Washington, D.C. In collaboration with representatives of the Mass. Biotechnology Council (MassBIO), the Mass. Life Sciences Center and the Mass. Alliance for Economic Development - leading organizations that facilitate the growth of this industry in the Commonwealth - the city is positioning itself as a community ready to meet the expectations of this growing and dynamic industry sector.
In 2010 the city was given a Platinum rating by MassBIO, the highest rating for a community seeking to attract and support biotechnology companies. The Platinum rating means the community has features such as commercial sites designated for biotech uses, streamlined permitting, and abundant sewer and water capabilities. The new development planned for Quincy Center meets and exceeds these criteria, and boasts over one million s/f available as of by-right zoning for laboratory research and biomanufacturing. "Attracting biotech companies to the city of Quincy will provide quality jobs for our residents and strengthen our commercial tax base," said mayor Thomas Koch. "We know how great Quincy is, and promoting Quincy at the 2011 BIO Conference is one example of how we are going to make sure national and international markets are aware of the amenities we have to offer as well."
Massachusetts is a world leader in the biotechnology industry providing home to over 500 BioPharma companies, which employ over 47,000 individuals across the Commonwealth. The city's close proximity and convenient access to Boston and Cambridge, major highway interstates, water transportation to Logan International Airport and Boston, four MBTA Red Line train stops, commuter and commercial rail service, a quality workforce, 27 miles of coastline and a diverse community make Quincy a very attractive and viable location.
In addition to the over 1.1 million s/f of commercial office space available, the downtown development project includes 600,000 s/f of new retail and service space, an entertainment center, medical center and wellness facility, higher education component, and over 1,500 residential units. "The new Quincy Center is designed to be a first class urban environment where one can work, live and recreate without getting into a car," said Richard Heapes, principal from StreetWorks Development. "Companies are looking to reduce their costs through attractive lease rates, easy access to national and international markets through convenient transportation networks and quality infrastructure, as well as having the ability to attract a quality workforce through easy commuting and access to a variety of recreational amenities."
Community leaders in Quincy are bullish on the notion that there is no better place to meet all of these needs than the new Quincy Center. However, there are a variety of other location opportunities in the city that are well suited for the biotech and life science industry.
A very important and vibrant economic engine for the city is the Crown Colony Office Park and adjoining commercial properties located directly off I-93, Rtes. 3 and 128, and abutting the Quincy Adams MBTA Station. Located seven miles from Boston, the 175 acre Crown Colony Park is master planned for up to 20 first-class office buildings amid extensive landscaping and greenspace. Thirteen buildings encompassing 1.5 million s/f have already been established and now four additional sites totaling 775,000 s/f are available by The Flatley Company for development.
A third prominent opportunity for the biotech industry sector is the 113 acre former Fore River Shipyard, which boasts of tremendous waterfront access to a deep water ship channel, birthing spaces and a commercial rail running through the site. A completed master plan for the property emphasizes smart growth and transit oriented development principals, making this site a very attractive waterfront location.
Adjacent to the 113 acre property two internationally known entities recently set up operations. Bluefin Robotics Corp. consolidated its Mass. operations by relocating its design and manufacturing facility to the property. The New England Aquarium established a 23,000 s/f holding and treatment facility for exhibit animals and has headquartered its Marine Animal Rescue Team on the property. Both entities are taking advantage of the convenient water access the site provides to Boston Harbor and the New England coast line.
Bluefin Robotics and the New England Aquarium joined several other well known corporate entities who have also decided to call Quincy home. These companies include Boston Scientific, Systagenix, Stop & Shop / Ahold USA, State Street, Iceland Air, New England Fertilizer, Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Twin Rivers Technologies, Granite Telecommunication, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Boston Financial Data Services to name a few.
It is evident that whether a company requires public transportation, a deep sea port, commercial rail, a beautiful waterfront, access to major highways, proximity to Boston, abundant water and sewer capacity, a quality workforce or a diversified community - Quincy is the place to live, work and invest in. The Quincy Chamber of Commerce and the city administration are eager to convince you that here in Quincy we mean business!
Dean Rizzo is the executive director of Quincy 2000 Collaborative, Quincy, Mass.