Boston needs strong T, safe streets to boost nightlife economy

Mayor Michelle Wu has big plans for Boston, envisioning a city with a bustling night life and burgeoning economy.

To that end she added yet again to her cabinet, tapping Corean Reynolds as the new Director of Nightlife Economy for the City of Boston. According to the city’s web site, Reynolds will establish a new team within the Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Cabinet recommending policies, programs, and initiatives to tackle urgent challenges facing Boston’s retention strategies, such as nightlife. She starts Monday.

“We are working to create more opportunities for residents and businesses to help our night scene grow and bolster our local economy across the board,” said Wu. “I’m grateful to Corean for her leadership and look forward to advancing our work for a culturally vibrant, inclusive city with economic opportunity and community welcoming to all.”

“Her leadership and passion for economic inclusion will help us advance Mayor Wu’s vision of a city that has a robust, vibrant, and family-friendly nightlife economy for all residents and visitors,” said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion.

This wouldn’t be a Wu cabinet without an emphasis on racial equity, building generational wealth and shared prosperity.

But before prosperity can be shared, it has to be attained, and here Reynolds has her job cut out for her. Reynolds said in a press conference last week that her to-do list includes improving after-hours transportation and boosting public safety for those who come into Boston at night. Godspeed.

Boosting after-hours transportation in a city whose subway system punches out around 1 a.m. would do a lot to keep the party going, but we’re talking about the MBTA. Right now the transportation agency is struggling to find drivers for regular shifts, so a move to keep the T rolling into the wee hours would require an influx of funds and a solution to the driver shortage.

But taking the T into and around the city isn’t just a matter of making the last train. Following years of high-profile derailments, accidents, collisions and other mishaps, it will be a hard sell to convince out-oftowners that they can take the T into the city, have a great time, and make it home without a hitch. No one wants to hike up the station stairs to wait for a shuttle bus at three in the morning.

Then there’s the public safety issue, also a tough sell. With a spate of shootings in the city, pedestrians being harassed by groups of young people downtown and attacks on T passengers, Boston has more than a PR issue on its hands. Our streets must be safe for Bostonians as well as visitors looking to spend a great day or night out.

That calls for a boost to the Boston Police Department, itself struggling with a shortage of officers. All city leaders have to be on board with bringing the BPD up to full strength, not cutting the budget.

A family-friendly Boston, one with abundant nightlife throughout and the promise of good times unspoiled by crime or subway issues is a great goal. But there’s a long road from here to there.

Good luck.