128 BELT JOINING IN ON THE START-UP FUN

Looks like business leaders and community organizers in Newton and Needham are working on plans of their own to try and lure tech companies with shorter commutes, cheaper rents, and potentially just as good a quality of life… if it’s done right.  The initiative is one similar to what business and civic leaders in Quincy and Watertownare working to build and potentially one that could attract young, early stage startups with the promise of cheaper office rents and cheaper costs of living.  

N2 Innovation Corridor would redevelop the area around Needham Crossing and the Wells Avenue Executive Park into a center for innovation and start up development.

While I am encouraged that this type of development could compete against the Seaport, Kendall Square and Watertown and Quincy’s newest developments, it’s important that they do this right and go all in.  To compete with what has been developed in some of these downtown neighborhoods, there needs to be something outside of just offices.  Coffee shops, bars, restaurants, sandwich shops.  Places to walk outside and spend a nice summer day doing work outside will be important to any eventual success of N2 Innovation Corridor.  I’m looking forward to seeing how this project progresses further as it could prove to be a benefit to both metro-west and to early stage start-ups who may find the Boston and Cambridge Office Market a bit too pricey.