BRA Plans for a Creative Incubator

Navy Yard, home to that thriving vibrant life associated with a National Park Service site and home to the oldest commissioned warship in the US Navy’s fleet is missing art. Yes, art. Boston has successfully turned the factories of the South End into SoWa, with First Fridays open studios and dozens of little galleries. Where’s the next hotbed of inspiration? The Charlestown Navy Yard really screams to us "I want to be a Creative Incubator!" Boston Redevelopment Authority envisions Navy Yard as a home to artists, artisans, and public art installations. An initiative outlined in March by the BRA described an effort reinvigorate the area with specialty lighting for the ships, distinctive signage, specific area’s of interest on each pier, and general connectivity with the Harborwalk defined by blue bubbles lining the sidewalk (take that Freedom Trail). In addition to the Waterfront Activation Plan is announced intention to turn the BRA owned Ropewalk Building into

a mix of workspaces for artists and for creative companies, such as furniture artisans, graphic designers, and music publishers. These creative entrepreneurs would be supported by a system that allows them to share resources...other possibilities include a retail component, which would sell the products of the artists, extending the range of services available to residents of surrounding area.

It has been Bostonist’s understanding for some time that along with an artist community usually comes some nice hipster places to eat. Apparently Finagle-a-Bagel really fills that role for the up and coming Charlestown neighborhood, and no, Olives doesn't count as hipster. Contact BRA directly to set up a tour and focus group session for anyone interested in helping them realize the vision of the Ropewalk Building.

image from BRA's mapping service the Boston Atlas