DOWNTOWN CROSSING – A black minivan has replaced Gabriel Ruiz’s pushcart on Winter Street. He is one of the vendors who has had to give up carts in front of the building since Filene’s Basement closed temporarily in Sept. 2007 and the One Franklin redevelopment project started in Downtown Crossing.The 39-story mixed-use project will bring a hotel, office, retail and residential space, as well as a new location for Filene’s Basement in the lower four levels. The anticipated completion date is Jan. 2011.
Rosemarie Sansone, president of the Downtown Crossing Association, said some establishments do not want the vendors outside their buildings.
"The developer [of the new project] has said that they don’t want any pushcarts directly in front of the building," Sansone said.
Vendors have raised questions about what will happen to them after the project is complete. James Adler, president of Boston Skyline, has been a vendor for 24 years. He said the new project is great for the city and businesses, but he is unsure of how it will affect him.
He said the Downtown Crossing Association, which was created by The Boston Redevelopment Authority, used to provide them with storage facilities, uniforms, uniform pushcarts and cart repairs.
Adler said the vendors have been on their own since 2000.
"They are not doing much rather than collecting revenue and getting approval to be in front of the buildings," Adler said.
He said vendors need to meet with the BRA and the city to discuss the issues. Mayor Thomas M. Menino has publicly said he favors keeping the pushcarts in Downtown Crossing.
"The problem is Downtown Crossing Association, whom we’ve paid millions to, isn’t helping us," Adler said. "Even though the mayor is a strong supporter, it seems they are not interested in our best interest going forward."
Sansone said the vendors are challenged to keep their businesses alive, but are encouraged by the changes. After the completion of the project, more people will be attracted to the area, which would increase their ability to do business.
"My goal is to work very closely with vendors to succeed," Sansone said. "It is my job to make sure the program runs smoothly, and that we offer them all of the professional tools we have."
The sidewalk around the new building will be leveled, which will make it only a pedestrian street. Sansone said the pushcart vendors will be in the middle of the street or in another location on Franklin, but they will not be in front of the building.
She said the association is providing opportunities for vendors. They are concerned about stabilizing the vendors, providing product diversification, and looking at their appearance to attract customers.
"I believe we can find a happy solution," Sansone said.
She said the city is very supportive of the program as well as the colleges in the neighborhood such as Emerson College and Suffolk University.
Gabriel Ruiz, who owns Boston Red Dogs, has been a vendor for 17 years.
"Downtown Crossing for me is the best place to work," Ruiz said. "And Downtown Crossing is the only place to give you a chance to work all year round."
Ruiz expects the redevelopment project to bring a lot of positive changes to Downtown Crossing, but he is unsure if those changes will be better for the street vendors.
"We are an easy target," Ruiz said.