A BRA spokeswoman tells GlobeSt.com that the meeting will be the first of its kind between the BRA and General Growth Properties, which began managing the marketplace two years ago. City officials are concerned that the four-building tourist center, which is owned by the city, has turned into a shopping mall for national retailers rather than a mix of smaller local businesses as originally intended.
The number of Faneuil Hall merchants has dropped from about 172 businesses, more than 90% of which were local, since 1983, according to the Faneuil Hall Merchants Association. Today, the marketplace has approximately 84 shops and restaurants with about half of the space leased by national chains. Michael Kelleher, who manages the property for General Growth, did not return calls from GlobeSt.com in time for deadline.
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