Baker-Polito Administration Announces Over $2.6 Million in Brownfields Funding for 13 Projects
May 10, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Colleen Arons (HED) colleen.arons@mass.gov
Kelsey Schiller (MassDev) kschiller@massdevelopment.com
LAWRENCE – The Baker-Polito Administration announced over $2.6 million in Brownfields Redevelopment Fund grants to support the environmental assessment and cleanup of 13 contaminated and challenging sites across the Commonwealth.
"The Brownfields Redevelopment Fund works in tandem with other statewide initiatives to support the redevelopment of underutilized and abandoned properties – where the reuse of the property can result in new jobs and housing opportunities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Together with MassWorks and the Site Readiness Program, this funding helps cities and towns identify opportunities and lay the groundwork for economic development.”
“The goal of the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund is two-pronged, helping to both assess and clean up sites impacted by environmental contamination and guide them toward productive use,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Congratulations to all of today’s awardees, and thank you for championing site reuse across the Commonwealth.”
“The Brownfields Redevelopment Fund provides flexible financing for environmental site assessment and remediation projects that are crucial to development projects across the Commonwealth,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “In addition to creating jobs and housing opportunities, brownfields restoration is an important tool for protecting our environment and ensuring Massachusetts remains an attractive place to live and work.”
In Lawrence, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and MassDevelopment President and CEO Lauren Liss joined Mayor Daniel Rivera to announce the awards at Union Crossing, a site that local nonprofit Lawrence CommunityWorks cleaned up and transformed into 60 units of affordable housing and 30,000 square feet of commercial space using funds from the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund. Lawrence CommunityWorks is receiving funds this year to assess an adjacent building, the former Ultimate Windows site, which will serve as the final phase of the Union Crossing development.
MassDevelopment oversees the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, which helps to transform vacant, abandoned, or underused industrial or commercial properties by financing the environmental assessment and remediation of brownfield sites in “Economically Distressed Areas” of the Commonwealth. Since the Fund’s inception in 1998, it has supported 726 sites for a total investment of more than $102 million. Once redeveloped the 13 projects receiving funding today are projected to redevelop over 37 acres, create more than 508 new housing units, and provide more than 450 full-time, part-time, and construction jobs.
"The Brownfields Redevelopment Fund is one of the most important tools in our economic development toolbox, as it provides needed resources to help communities clean up vacant or abandoned properties and put them back into active use," said MassDevelopment President and CEO Lauren Liss. "We're grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration and the Legislature for their continued support of this fund."
“I commend MassDevelopment and the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund for their choice to award Lawrence CommunityWorks for their Island Parkside Project," said Senator Barry R. Finegold. "CommunityWorks is a shining example of the positive impact the non-profit community in Lawrence continues to have on the city. The organization has done a tremendous job building a mixed-use development at Union Crossing in the face of the current housing shortage.”
“I’m thrilled that the Baker-Polito Administration has utilized the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund to award Lawrence Community Works in their efforts on the Island Parkside Project. Increasing affordable housing and commercial space with the mills portion of this project has already been a big success, and the next phase will see more affordable housing, parking and three acres of beautiful outdoor space created. I look forward to seeing this project come to completion and the benefits our community will see because of it,” said Representative Frank Moran.
“The redevelopment of unproductive property through investment and imagination is vital to economic development, especially in Gateway cities," said Representative Christina Minicucci. "When we connect organizations like Lawrence CommunityWorks to resources like the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, we empower them to revitalize city blocks and create strong neighborhoods, which are the foundation of strong community.”
The following municipalities and organizations received Brownfield Redevelopment Fund awards in FY19:
Former IP Millers Falls, Erving, $200,000
The Town will use grant funds at this former mill complex for the abatement of hazardous materials in advance of a selective demolition program. When complete, the Town will market the site to attract new business growth.
Former Strathmore Mill, Montague, $250,000
The Town will use grant funds for the abatement of hazardous materials in four buildings of the former Strathmore Mill that have a future as an adaptively re-used mixed-use property.
Former Rockbestos/Suprenant Site, Clinton, $76,000
The Town will use grant funds at this 8.3-acre former wire manufacturing site to bring the site and reporting into compliance, after an improperly conducted demolition program by a former owner.
Former Reynolds & Marksman, Attleboro, $500,000
The Attleboro Redevelopment Authority will use grant funds to clean up this three-acre site, formerly used to store jewelry manufacturing chemicals. The site is adjacent to the Town’s Riverwalk and the commuter rail, and is the final parcel requiring cleanup in the transit center area.
Jackson Square Site III – 25 Amory St. & 250 Centre St., Boston, $250,000
Jackson Square Partners LLC will use grant funds to address the presence of lead and other contaminants at Site III, which will house two housing developments creating 154 mixed-income housing units, 88 of which will be affordable.
Former Central Steam Plant Site – 465 Westminster St., Fitchburg, $250,000
The City of Fitchburg will use grant funds to pursue a permanent solution to eliminate persistent contamination in soil and groundwater at a former cogeneration plant abutting the North Nashua River.
Former Whyte's Laundry – 83 Willow St., Lynn, $248,000
The EDIC of Lynn will use funds to conduct pilot bench scale testing with the intent of providing a more reliable cleanup estimate for a plume of dry-cleaning solvents that is impacting development in the area.
270 Talbot Ave, Dorchester, $350,000
The Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation will use funds to assess and remediate a former auto repair shop for reuse as two buildings: a four-story mixed-use building with ground-floor retail and 17 moderate income apartments; a second building would include 19 units of low-income rental housing.
140 South Main Street, Gardner, $350,000
The Gardner Redevelopment Authority will use funds to assess and remediate the site whose reuse is impeded by petroleum-impacted soil and groundwater. Once clean the GRA will market the site for commercial or industrial reuse.
Leyland Street Affordable Housing, $20,000
Dorchester Bay EDC will use funds to assess this 30-year vacant parcel in advance of its planned redevelopment into 46 units of affordable senior housing.
Former B.F. Brown School, $20,000
NewVue Communities will use funds to assess the former B.F. Brown School in advance of the planned development of 60 units of mixed-income artist live/work units which will be known as The Fitchburg Arts Community (FAC).
Former Ultimate Windows Site, 20-30 Island Street, Lawrence, $18,000
Lawrence CommunityWorks will use funds to assess the site in advance of the development of Island Parkside, the final phase of its successful and impressive Union Crossing development. Island Parkside will include ground-up construction of 80 units of affordable family housing, parking, and approximately three acres of outdoor recreational space near the river.
Former Aztec Asbestos Site – 14 South Common, $88,430
The Town of North Brookfield will use the funding to assess and define the nature and extent of contamination at the former asbestos manufacturing site located downtown. Reuse will likely be targeted to accommodate the expansion needs of downtown businesses.
About MassDevelopment
MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2018, MassDevelopment financed or managed 384 projects generating investment of more than $4.1 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are estimated to create or support 10,994 jobs and build or rehabilitate 830 housing units.
