Prior to that approval and since the Developer used best efforts to find a suitable Innovation tenant for the remaining 3,593 square feet. These efforts have included discussions with approximately twenty-five prospective innovation users. These efforts have not resulted in a single lease for the space. As a result, on March 16, 2017, the Agency by Board vote authorized the Developer to temporarily lease the remaining 3,593 square feet to the general contractor for the Waterside Place Phase 1B project. Unfortunately, due to the high cost of the buildout and time required to complete the buildout, the general contractor made alternative arrangements for the field office for Waterside Place Phase 1B.

Drew Company, Inc. has since continued to engage in discussions with potential tenants and brokers in an effort to identify a tenant for the innovation space, from co-working groups to technology-based start-ups to financial firms focused on incubating entrepreneurial enterprises and have engaged Boston Urban Partners to assist with this effort. Unfortunately, it appears that most prospective tenants are either unable to secure financing for their business concepts or had other business reasons affecting their interest in the space. The 3,593 square feet of space continues to sit vacant nearly 5 years after the completion of the project.

Recently, the Boston Veterinary Clinic (“Boston Vet”), approached Drew Company, Inc. expressing an interest in leasing the remaining 3,593 square feet of the innovation space to open a second veterinary clinic location in Boston. While the use does not technically qualify as “innovation”, it does provide a much-needed neighborhood service to area residents and workers. Currently serving the South End community, Boston Vet’s expansion to South Boston would be a welcome amenity to the Seaport District, which is woefully lacking in community services for its residents and workers, especially given the high percentage of area residents that have pets with no close proximity to veterinary services.

Based on the lack of success in locating a prospective tenant that qualifies as an “innovation” user and the continued need for neighborhood services, the proponent respectfully requests that the Authority approve the change of use request for approximately 3,593 square feet in Waterside Place Phase IA as described in this NPC.