Civic Leadership and Major Transportation Projects: Lessons from Boston's Artery Business Committee and Central Artery/Tunnel Project

摘要

Business-backed groups have been losing influence in most U.S. cities for several decades. But in Boston, the Artery Business Committee (ABC)-which was formed in the late 1980s by major property owners and employers concerned about the impacts of the multibillion-dollar Central/Artery Tunnel (CA/T) project-is an exception to this trend. Using a combination of expert analyses, coalition building, and traditional lobbying practices, ABC has protected downtown Boston during CA/T construction, made sure that the finished project benefits Boston, and helped resolve political, legal, and financial problems that threatened project plans. ABC, therefore, offers important lessons about the future of business leadership in local affairs.