Quincy Center was the original nucleus around which the commercial and administrative heart of Quincy developed. Serviced by the “T” Red Line and the Commuter Rail and the heart of Quincy’s government, education, and many historical attractions, the Center has undergone considerable change in recent years. Similar to many downtowns, the main retail center was impacted by the growth of suburban retail malls, but significant growth in office space and residential development has injected new life into the area.

Quality options for home goods, clothing and food exist in upscale establishments as well as bargain havens. Hip boutiques, quality jewelry stores, and culinary gems alongside hair salons, delis, discount clothing and home goods stores all serve the growing number of workers and residents in downtown Quincy.

Quincy Center’s proximity to public transportation, major highways and water transportation to Boston, as well as a business-friendly city government, create a desirable economic environment. Today, approximately 10,000 people work in the downtown area, emphasizing Quincy Center’s critical role in the local and regional economy. There are many prime examples of private sector investments in Quincy Center, including Munroe Place, a 110 unit luxury apartment building with retail space on the first floor, Residences at Presidents Place, the residential phase of a major multi-use development that will add 200 luxury apartments to 350,000 sf of office space, and Street-Works development Group from White Plains, NY recently purchased the historic Granite Trust Building located at 1400 Hancock Street in Quincy Center.

The downtown historic sites, including the National Register’s United First Parish Church, the Thomas Crane Public Library and the Adams National Historic Park, as well as Quincy’s tourism center, Discover Quincy attract many visitors to the area. Programs offered at the historic Thomas Crane Public Library and the Adams National Historic Park are magnets for both residents and workers.

Demonstrating its strong commitment to expanding and strengthening the commercial vitality of Quincy Center, the City of Quincy is undertaking proactive measures to revitalize Quincy Center as a premier place to live, work, learn and invest. Key components of the plan include a Quincy Center Zoning District that increases height allowances, allows mixed use and multi-family developments and establishes a more predictable permitting process.

Along with the proposed zoning changes, the City created a District Financing Zone (DIF) in Quincy Center. DIF is a financing tool that enables the city to use “new” tax growth generated within the district to fund infrastructure and streetscape improvements, a marketing and tourism plan for the downtown and other general improvements such as a new parking garage and completing the Quincy Center Concourse to link several downtown transportation corridors.

The DIF program also includes the establishment of a Master Tax Increment Financing Program for the downtown district, providing local and state tax breaks to businesses that create jobs by relocating and/or expanding within the downtown area. For more information click here.

By attracting new office, housing and retail businesses, the program will strengthen and expand the current economic base and restore Quincy Center as a vibrant, focal point of the community and region.

To learn more about the Q2000 member businesses in this area click here.