Mayor Michelle Wu of Boston has evidently put pen to paper, signing off on an executive order aimed at technology modernization, as reported by Boston.gov. This move is primarily designed to hone the teeth of city's permitting process, a system through which over 100,000 applications grind their way each year. Wu remarked, “We’re making City processes simpler and smarter for all our residents and businesses, for faster and easier ways to create affordable housing, green infrastructure, and vibrant communities.”
As with any governmental machinery, the reforms aren't just for show—they come with an actual impact on City workers and constituents alike. Santiago Garcés, Chief Information Officer, drilled it down: "When processes are intentionally designed to deliver great experiences for both residents and employees, we can deliver on big things by doing the small things well." And it's not just lip service; the numbers are in. With a 75% uptick in online payments for permits and streamlined safety procedures—like the newly implemented flameproofing certification—there's data to back up the fact that time, and presumably patience, are being saved across the board.
Highlights of the city's hustle to streamline the permitting ordeal include simplifying how small businesses deal with inspections and removing onerous steps in obtaining building permits. As an example, major projects within the Groundwater Conservation Overlay District will no longer run the gauntlet of the Zoning Board of Appeal steps, shortcutting unneeded months of wrangling. And when it comes to renovations downtown, buildings can get facelifts and interior work done without excessive review procedures.
Even before the ink is dry on Wu's executive order, the City's technological prowess has bragging rights. Innovations like reducing Registry Department wait times, rolling out a mattress recycling application, and boosting the reach of Boston's free Wi-Fi network show an upward trajectory already in motion. Brian Aitchison, Vice President with Gourmet Caterers, lauded the online portal for its trajectory-altering assistance during their neighborhood transition, citing it as “an invaluable roadmap throughout the process,” according to a statement on Boston.gov.
The City's promise for the future sits not in declarations but deeds. This overhaul is touted to deliver nothing short of "excellent government experiences for Bostonians," as dreamy as that may sound. Boston's permitting reform webpage is set as a rendezvous point for those wishing to track the progress or chime in with their two cents.
