What's Going Right on Charles Street

Despite the news of several small shops leaving Charles Street, Joint Charles Street Co-Chair John Corey says it's not "all gloom and doom." Below is a list he sent to Beacon Hill Patch about positive developments on the street:

There are lots of exciting things happening on Charles Street and more to come with enhanced cooperation between the residents, business owners and of course the City of Boston. Here are a few of the recent developments: 

• Improvements to Charles Circle pedestrian crossings and signage with the Longfellow Bridge restoration
• New pedestrian bridge from Charles Circle to the Esplanade with new landscaping
• Twice a week street and sidewalk cleanings paid for by residents and business owners
• Hometown hero JP Licks coming to Charles Street
• NRO expanding along Charles Street
• J. McLaughlin expanding
• Charles Street Market location is a virtual bidding war showing huge demand for Charles Street
• Local bank Hingham Savings opening up first class location with substantial investment on the storefront
• Tree guard prototype finalized and two installed and planted with business support (Charles Street Liquors, Boston Antiques Co, and Rouvalis Flowers)
• "Good" and Hingham Savings Bank to sponsor tree guards and more stores lining up
• Fundraising will begin to secure 10 more tree guards to be installed this spring
• 5 new trees planted by the City
• Flat of the Hill renovation
• A commitment from the City to get the brick sidewalks in order
• A commitment from the City to adjust parking space allocation (commercial vs. metered parking) to get the right balance.  This could include state-of-the-art multi-space meters as well.
• Hammond Real Estate relocating both their Beacon Hill and Back Bay office onto Charles Street (and smartly off of the first floor and onto the second floor over Starbucks)
• DeLucas affirmation to open first class store