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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Why Boston's Seaport convention center is getting a new name
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
We'll have to complain about the Red Sox or the MBTA today, because the weather is back to looking impeccable (at least until the weekend).
But first, the news:
Convention-al wisdom: The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center is a month out from officially getting a new name: the Thomas Michael Menino Convention and Exhibition Center. The state's Convention Center Authority announced yesterday that a renaming ceremony will be held on July 12. The change is thanks to language tucked into the big economic development bill passed by the State House last fall.
- Why name it after Menino? During his record five terms as mayor, Menino spearheaded the stunning transformation of the entire Seaport district, which went from largely empty lots and industrial space to luxury apartments, high-rise offices and swanky restaurants in less than two decades. In many ways, the opening of the BCEC as New England's largest convention center in 2004 kicked off that building boom. In a statement yesterday, state Sen. Nick Collins, who represents the neighborhood, credited Menino for "bringing together city and state government with industry" to create the convention center. State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz called it a "true expression of [Menino's] vision to always drive Boston to be a more vibrant, healthy and welcoming city."
- Now what? Ahead of the formal renaming, convention center officials have a lot of small-bore items on their to-do list. Diane DiAntonio, the MCCA's general manager, recently told WBUR's Todd Wallack they're still working on the "task of changing all of our letterhead and our websites, and our uniforms."
- Meanwhile: The renaming comes at a time when the state is doubling down on the convention business. After abandoned talks about selling the Hynes Convention Center in Back Bay, the MCCA is beginning a five-month project this summer to upgrade the center's electrical and HVAC systems. (That will mean a series of multi-month closures of the Hynes, including this summer.) State officials are also talking about expanding the soon-to-be-Menino convention center to some extent — a conversation that's been off and on for years.
- The big picture: Overall, officials say the convention business has mostly rebounded since the pandemic. In 2019, the Seaport and Hynes totaled over 830,000 attendees. In 2023 and 2024, those numbers hovered just above 750,000 — within 10% of pre-COVID numbers. This year, DiAntonio says they're on track for " just below 700,000," down slightly with the Hynes closures. "This business is wild," she said. "We're booking 10 years into the future. When the city turned back on and all the [COVID] restrictions were lifted, we had business right there on the books because the business was booked so far before COVID happened."
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On Beacon Hill: Gov. Maura Healey said she's not necessarily opposed to rolling back Massachusetts' 4% surtax on annual incomes above $1 million. I think we need to be open to that," she said yesterday during a Boston Globe tech summit when asked if she'd support a hypothetical ballot question to "pare back or overturn" the voter-approved millionaires tax to try to attract more businesses. Healey did stress the tax funds "things that actually help business," like transportation and education. "I think we need to evaluate what's going on ... I just wanna see what's happening in terms of any potential outmigration," she said
- FYI: A recent report by a progressive think tank found the number of millionaires in Massachusetts has actually increased since the tax took effect.
- Meanwhile: Healey's budget chief, Matthew Gorzkowicz, said yesterday the state is on track to rake in over nearly $3 billion from the tax this fiscal year. That's more than double what budget-writers originally planned for.
End of an era: After a 30-year run, the Blue Man Group's residency in Boston is coming to an end. The silent theatrical trio announced yesterday their final show at the Charles Playhouse will be on July 6. (The group still has a Las Vegas residency, and is planning international and North American tours.)
- Did you know... the Blue Man Group played an NPR Tiny Desk concert in 2016? Watch it here.
Too close to call? Democrat Lisa Field is claiming victory in the Taunton-area special election to replace the late state Rep. Carol Doherty. But with the unofficial results showing Field up by just 21 votes, Republican Larry Quintal is calling for a recount. The Taunton Daily Gazette has more on the razor-thin results here.
P.S.— After a two-year hiatus, Somerville's annual culinary showcase returns tonight for its 27th year. For a $65 ticket, Taste of Somerville attendees get the chance to sample dozens of local restaurants, breweries and wineries. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Boynton Yards, with part of the proceeds going to the Somerville Homeless Coalition.
