The Herald reports four development groups have submitted proposals for a city lot next to the waterfront restaurant complex, ranging from more restaurants to a boutique hotel to a "floating event space."

The Boston Business Journal reports some entrepreneurs are now setting up shop in Downtown Crossing rather than pay rents that have jumped dramatically along the waterfront.

The company now building its headquarters on the South Boston waterfront today announced a science-education program at Boston Green Academy and Excel High School in South Boston, the mayor's office reports:

The owner of Packy Connors, 203 Blue Hill Ave., wants to sell his liquor license to a proposed Asian restaurant on the South Boston waterfront.

James Cairns goes before the Boston Licensing Board next week for permission for the deal. Coming on the heels of the Breezeway's decision to shut down this would mean Blue Hill Avenue will not have a single bar in Mattapan or Roxbury.

Fort Point Blog provides the proof.

There was a nice sunset over the Gillette plant tonight (if not quite as dramatic as yesterday's), as seen from near the convention center. A few minutes later, the sunset was more muted, but completely different, over the Haul Road, as seen from the bridge between the convention center and the Silver Line stop:

These stats just in from the T for the South Boston end of the Silver Line for January through August:

• Total annual year-to-date ridership up 7.0% from 3,148,612 in 2010 to 3,368,580 in 2011.
• Average weekday ridership up 5.7% from 15,015 in 2010 to 15,877 in 2011.
• Average Saturday ridership up 67.3% from 5,550 in 2010 to 9,285 in 2011.
• Average Sunday ridership up 8.0% from 8,422 in 2010 to 9,098 in 2011.

They probably won't be renaming the Seaport Center on D Street New Wingo Square, however.

WBUR reports on the groundbreaking for the new Vertex headquarters next to the federal courthouse.

The City Council today unanimously approved $12 million in tax breaks over seven years for construction of Vertex's planned $1-billion headquarters and lab space on Fan Pier.

City Councilor Bill Linehan, who represents South Boston and chairs the council's economic-development committee, said the new construction will mean $50 million in tax revenue over the period of the breaks.

In addition, the council approved a state proposal to spend $50 million in state funds on infrastructure improvements on and near Fan Pier for Vertex, which recently won federal approval for a possible blockbuster Hepatitis C drug.