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Newmarket Home of Industry: New Zoning Supports and Grows Backbone of City's Industrial Economy

Jan 15, 2014

The Boston Zoning Commission approved a new zoning and map article that will preserve and strengthen one of Boston's premier industrial districts. The Newmarket Industrial-Commercial Neighborhood District, created by Zoning Article 90 and Map 6E, is located at the crossroads of Dorchester, South Boston, the South End, and Roxbury, and is home to more than 700 companies specializing in food processing, distribution, and other light manufacturing industries. The new zoning ensures the area will continue to serve the city's and region's economy and remain a key employment district. Its creation follows a four-month community planning & rezoning process led by the Boston Redevelopment Authority. 

"Boston's industrial and manufacturing sectors account for more than 54,000 jobs, and new zoning for Newmarket will keep good jobs in the City of Boston," Mayor Walsh said. "This neighborhood is at the center of our city's cutting-edge industrial economy and with this new zoning, we're confident its evolution will continue." 

"We're pleased that this important industrial core will continue to thrive," said Sue Sullivan, executive director of the Newmarket Business Association. "The new zoning will protect essential industrial and commercial businesses in one of Boston's core industrial districts."

The new zoning establishes Newmarket as its own zoning district, and clearly defines the area's boundaries, reinforcing the Newmarket name, brand, and identity. The previous zoning was outdated, created in the 1960s, and reflected the economy at that time. The updated land use table identifies 51 specific uses for Newmarket, including continuing the food manufacturing, processing and distribution functions of the core, and expanding to add uses that reflect today's industry, including green and clean technology, such as renewable energies, smart grid, fuel cells and hydrogen, beverage manufacturing, such as breweries, distilleries, wineries, and tasting rooms, creative industries, such as artist work studios, architectural and industrial design, and video game development.

The BRA community planning staff launched the planning rezoning process in September 2013, and held 7 working group sessions with an 11-member business advisory group, including representatives from the Newmarket Business Association and other area stakeholders.

In 2011, the City of Boston committed more than $2.2 million dollars for infrastructure improvements in Newmarket to improve roadways, sidewalks, lighting, signage, and safety of the area.

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