Artist-owned complexes have already been developed in the Fort Point Channel at 249 A St. and 300 Summer St. The Keen Development Co., which designed the Summer Street complex in the early '90s, is teaming with the arts coalition on the new project. The coalition hopes to acquire space near Midway and lower A streets. Last month, artists met with Douglas Mitchell, senior vice president for development at Beacon Capital, to view the 300 Summer St. complex. If the plans work out, a new waterfront development could include as many as 300 artists lofts in up to eight buildings in the Fort Point area, said Kuehn.
Artists are a very important part of any city or culture.
Unfortunately what happens is that artists move into a neighborhood and make it special place, it gets popular and successful and they get shown the door. Mitchell has had several meetings with members of arts community there. Timing is critical for many of the arts groups, as leases for the Revolving Museum, NEFA and others expire next year. The Revolving Museum alone houses 30,000 square feet of exhibit, performance and studio space, and is home to more than 50 artists' studios. NEFA's Lauricella said.