The Dorchester Bay City project has been designed to integrate with our neighbors in a way that not only gives them access to opportunity but connects them with local businesses.
“We want Dorchester Bay City to be seen as a place that has something for everyone,” said Jill Lacey Griffin, Vice President for DEI at Accordia Partners. “We’ve been so fortunate to receive insightful feedback from the community, and it’s helped us design a space meant to foster inclusivity and create economic opportunity for all.”
With nearly 200,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 25,000 of which is dedicated to affordable, locally owned establishments, we seek to create a balanced neighborhood that offers a variety of benefits to the Greater Boston area. Up to 20,000 square feet will also be dedicated to traditional community and cultural spaces.
Our efforts could not be made without the help of our excellent community partners who have provided us with expert advice on how we can establish a diverse retail environment, including Chef Douglass Williams, Accordia Partner’s Restaurant and Retail Consultant, and a successful diverse retailer himself.
Owner of MIDA in the South End, Williams’ passion for food and teaching has taken him around the globe. From Paris and Thailand to New York and Boston, his experience makes him the perfect choice to help the project empower local and minority-owned businesses.
“I am so thrilled to be working with members of the Dorchester Bay City team who strive to showcase the diverse talent here in Boston,” said Williams. “It’s very exciting to be able to impart my culinary and entrepreneurial insight to not only the developers, but to a new generation of chefs and business leaders.”
Another one of our partners, Hector Piña, owner, and operator of several diverse restaurants in the Boston area, including Merengue Restaurant in Roxbury, has given us a deep understanding of local retail.
With almost three decades in the business, Hector has been able to expand his restaurant presence across the city. He’s opened Vejigantes and Doña Habana, both located just a couple of miles from DBC in the South End. Piña says places like Dorchester Bay City can help broaden opportunities for those looking to get into the business.
“Most of these big upscale developments don’t have affordable retail space, and that is why you don’t see any neighborhood restaurants along the waterfront and other places,” says Hector. “Dorchester Bay City keeps local retailers in mind, and I think the project will showcase that and give the community a new place to shop, dine, and enjoy.”
Beyond retail, Dorchester Bay City will be built to include a wide array of benefits to our community, including residential housing options, publicly accessible open space, commercial office/research space, transportation improvements, and much more.