TMCnet News

Governor Patrick Announces 31 New Infrastructure Projects to Support Job Creation and Local Improvements
[October 22, 2014]

Governor Patrick Announces 31 New Infrastructure Projects to Support Job Creation and Local Improvements


(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) AMHERST, Oct. 21 -- The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Economic Development issued the following news release: Governor Deval Patrick today announced a new round of MassWorks Infrastructure Program grants to advance local development projects across the state. The grants total over $66 million in improvement projects that will support thousands of jobs in Massachusetts communities. Through these awards, the state will partner with cities and towns to support housing developments, infrastructure developments, road safety and revitalization projects.



"Our commitment to investing in communities has created thousands of jobs and improved infrastructure across the Commonwealth," said Governor Patrick. "The MassWorks program is a prime example of what government can do at the local level to support economic development." Through these grants, the Patrick Administration will partner with cities and towns making targeting investments in infrastructure such as roadways, streetscapes, water and sewers to facilitate and support new and sustained housing and economic growth throughout Massachusetts.

The Governor celebrated the latest round of investments while in Amherst, which received a $1.5 million award for the North Downtown Improvements Project to address infrastructure improvements in the northern gateway to downtown Amherst and the southern entrance of the UMass Amherst campus. This area is currently made up of aging, low-rise, single-use commercial buildings and parking lots. The community re-zoned this area to allow for increased density and mixed-use developments. Amherst's MassWorks grant will be used to move utilities underground to support the construction of the Kendrick Place and One East Pleasant Street mixed-use projects, which represent $30 million in private investment in the community. Kendrick Place is currently under construction and includes 36 market rate units and 4,800 square feet of commercial space. One East Pleasant Street is in the final stages of permitting and is expected to include 78 market rate units and first floor commercial space. The Town will provide matching funds to complete streetscape work and the reconfiguration of the East Pleasant/Triangle Street intersection.


"The Patrick Administration has been committed to providing support to communities so that they can grow and prosper," said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki. "Revitalizing a community through infrastructure improvements will make it easier for businesses to grow and communities to flourish." MassWorks is administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and represents a consolidation of six capital budget programs, giving communities a single entry point and one set of requirements for the state's public infrastructure grants. The consolidation created efficiencies and streamlined the decision-making process, increasing access for municipalities and enhancing partnerships around economic development and housing.

The Patrick Administration has invested $291 million in MassWorks infrastructure and public improvements projects statewide since 2011.

The Patrick Administration approved the following projects for funding: Amherst - $1.5 million for the North Downtown Improvement Project will provide infrastructure to support mixed use development in downtown Amherst. The $1.5 million in funding will allow the town to put utilities underground and will be matched by town funds to reconfigure the East Pleasant/Triangle Street intersection and improve the streetscape.

Billerica - $2.29 million for the Boston Road Redevelopment Project which will connect the Shops of Billerica to the Town Center by reconstructing 1,500 feet of sidewalk as well as constructing 2,100 feet of new sidewalks. The improvements will enhance pedestrian and bicycle access along this commercial corridor.

Boston - $2.37 million to facilitate the completion of street and sidewalk work for Bartlett Place in Roxbury, a multi-phased mixed use development that will include 323 units of housing and 54,000 square feet of commercial space.

Boston - $1.93 million to provide utilities and access to 28 single-family homes to be constructed as Phase III of the Harvard Commons residential development. Harvard Commons is part of the redevelopment of the Boston State Hospital site in Mattapan.

Boston - $1.95 million for Parcel 9, which will be the new home of the Melnea Hotel & Residences. This mixed use development project has been approved for up to 150 hotel rooms, 50 units of housing, 1,300 square feet of retail space and on-site parking. The MassWorks award will facilitate the completion of site work, environmental remediation, streets, sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, parking and the construction of public areas.

Chelsea - $6 million in MassWorks funding will support Phase IV of the Chelsea Gateway Center Infrastructure Improvement Plan. Infrastructure improvements include the replacement of water and sewer mains, as well as roadway and sidewalk repairs.

Clarksburg - $920,000 for the Cross Town Corridor Project will be used to repave 3,600 linear feet of West Cross Road and replacing 12 culverts to meet Safe Stream Crossing Standards.

Colrain - $1 million for the Jacksonville Road Improvements project to repave approximately four miles of Route 112, also known as Jacksonville Road.

Dartmouth - $2.2 million to address traffic safety and congestion concerns by reconfiguring the intersection of Route 6, Route 177 and Beeden Road. Improvements will also include a complete reconstruction of 1,000 feet of Route 6 and 400 feet of Route 177.

Easthampton - $2,991,835 for the construction of a retaining wall, fencing, an on-site parking lot expansion and lighting at the Pleasant Street Mills. These infrastructure improvements will strengthen the site's connection to the Mahan Rail Trail and Lower Mill Pond and support immediate and future investments.

Framingham - $1 million for the Danforth Green housing development, part of the Riverpath Drive Planned Unit Development, that will create 353 new housing units in Framingham. It will consist of 180 rental units and 173 ownership units. The MassWorks award will reconstruct Riverpath Drive, the main entryway into the new development. Work will include widening the road, sewer improvements, traffic signals, sidewalks and paving Heath - $983,102 for the Safety improvements Project, which includes the repaving of 4.5 miles of roadway of Route 8A to the Vermont border. In addition, funding will be used to repair culverts and drainage ditches along the side of the roadway.

Hopkinton - $5.5 million to support Phase II of the Legacy Farms Smart Growth Development project near Hopkinton Town Center. Phase II will include 425 multi-family and single family homes and over 200,000 square feet of commercial space. The funds will construct a new public road opening up the north side of the 730 acre site (500 acres to be dedicated open space). In addition, $500,000 of this award will be used to assist in reconfiguring Main Street in the downtown.

Hatfield - $360,000 to the Main Street Transportation Safety Improvements project. The project includes sidewalk replacements, new pedestrian crossings and bicycle lane markings along Main Street through the town center. The improvements will enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety, while improving traffic flow.

Lawrence - $3.925 million for the Merrimack Street Corridor Improvement Project, which will allow for further revitalization of the area. Infrastructure work will include roadway and traffic signal improvements, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, covered bus shelters, repaving and pedestrian crossings.

Leominster - $1,331,841 for the Adams Street redevelopment project, which allows for the development of 92 housing units and 41,000 square feet of commercial space. The infrastructure improvements including roadway resurfacing, shoulder and sidewalk replacement, and upgrades to the water and sewer system Massachusetts Development Finance Agency - Springfield Innovation Center - $2 million in MassWorks funding to MassDevelopment to rehabilitate two existing buildings to create the Springfield Innovation Center. The Springfield Innovation Center will be a 16,450 square-foot mixed-use space, which will include a 9,000 square-foot business accelerator with co-working, presentation and function space, as well as an innovation cafe.

Melrose - $500,000 to create safer access for pedestrians between businesses and downtown bus routes to the Cedar Park commuter rail station. In addition, the infrastructure improvements will support the new Senior Housing Development at 116-158 Essex Street. Funding from the MassWorks award will be used to resurface Essex Street and Willow Street. Both streets will receive new sidewalks, improved handicap accessibility, trees, and lighting. Willow Street will also be widened.

Newton/Needham - $3.35 million for the first phase of the Highland Avenue Reconstruction project. The reconstruction of the roadway will support future private investments into the 2.5 million square feet of commercial space in the area. The infrastructure work will also support the future headquarters of TripAdvisor, which is currently under construction.

North Attleboro - $1,3 million to support public and private investments, which will create a 30,000 square feet of commercial development, 193 units of housing, a new Greater Attleboro Regional Transit Authority (GARTA) bus station and a new parking area.

Peabody - $1.5 million to support the Peabody Square Reconstruction project by reconfiguring Peabody Square, and adding new lighting, pedestrian crosswalks and safety features. The infrastructure improvements will allow for 73 new residential units, the rehabilitation of 123 existing residential units, a new 54-room boutique hotel and new commercial space.

Pittsfield - $4.5 million to complete the fourth and final phase of the Streetscape Improvement Project, which began in 2005 and is serving as a catalyst for the redevelopment of the City's downtown area. This grant complements $13 million in additional state, local and federal funding spent in the area for revitalization purposes. Pittsfield also received $3.6 million and $2 million in MassWorks grants in 2011 and 2013, respectively, for downtown improvements and the Streetscape Improvement Project.

Princeton - $1 million will fund the reconstruction of 8,130 linear feet of Route 140/31 in Princeton. The project will address roadway safety, periodic congestion, drainage and improved bicycle and pedestrian accommodation. This will be accomplished by widening the road, relocating utility poles, replacing culverts, adding guardrails and reinforcing the roadway shoulders.

Russell - $1 million for the design and construction costs associated with replacing the existing retaining wall and guardrail on Carrington Road, as well as reconstructing portions of the existing roadway.

Salem - $2.53 million for the Washington & Dodge Streets Public Infrastructure Improvements including the relocation a number of public utilities from the Riley Plaza East parking lot. These include sewer, water, natural gas and telecommunications lines, as well as electric transmission and distribution infrastructure. In addition, the intersection of Dodge Street and Washington Street will be reconfigured. The investment will allow the Riley Plaza East parking lot to be developed into a 190,000 square feet of mixed use development, which currently includes a hotel, 81 housing units and commercial space.

Salisbury - $1.7 million to upgrade the water distribution system in the town center. The replacement of existing water mains and the addition of new mains will enable the Spalding School site and 29 Elm Street to be developed into 42 housing units. The MassWorks award leverages $9 million in private investments for this project and creates opportunities for additional redevelopment in the area.

Sheffield - $675,000 to replace two culverts along County Road in Sheffield. The two culverts are in a state of disrepair and any resulting road closures due to their failing would have a crippling effect on the town's transportation system.

Springfield - $4.2 million to advance the Union Station Regional Transportation project by supporting demolition costs, the installation of elevators, renovations to the second floor, as well as the addition of infrastructure needed for the new space.

University of Massachusetts Medical School - $5 million to assist with the final build out of the Massachusetts Accelerator for bio-manufacturing Facility in Fall River's SouthCoast Life Science and Technology Park.

Warren - $348,000 to replace the culvert carrying School Street Brook under Spring Street. The flow of the brook has exceeded the capacity of the culvert several times during heavy rain events and resulted in flooding upstream. Upgrading the culvert will allow more water to flow under Spring Street and reduce future flooding damage to the community.

West Boylston - $995,000 for the construction of 7,190 linear feet of new sidewalks the Town Center of West Boylston. The district is home to businesses and several schools within the town. This project will expand the sidewalks in the area and create an environment that is safer for students, residents and patrons who live, work and play in Village Center.

CC AutoTriage5rn-141022-30FurigayJane-4908463 30FurigayJane (c) 2014 Targeted News Service

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]