Baker-Polito Administration Awards $1.25 Million in Brownfields Funding for Five Projects
December 23, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Michael Verseckes (HED)
Michael.W.Verseckes@mass.gov
Kelsey Schiller (MassDev)
kschiller@massdevelopment.com
BOSTON—Today, the Baker-Polito Administration awarded $1.25 million from the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund to support the environmental assessment and cleanup of five underutilized or abandoned sites across the Commonwealth that may have contaminants present. Once complete, the five projects are projected to redevelop a combined total of 24.3 acres, create or preserve up to 312 housing units, and provide approximately 802 full-time, part-time and construction jobs.
“The Brownfields Redevelopment Fund supports the assessment and cleanup of challenging sites across the Commonwealth, making our cities and towns stronger by clearing the way for new housing, commercial space and jobs,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Congratulations to today’s awardees, who are doing the hard work of converting stuck properties into assets that will benefit their communities.”
“This funding helps municipalities and their partners overcome significant hurdles that would otherwise stand in the way of communities’ goals for economic development,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Along with the Site Readiness and MassWorks Programs, the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund is another state resource communities can leverage to fund necessary predevelopment work essential to the advancement and completion of key projects.”
“The Brownfields Redevelopment Fund underscores the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to building vibrant communities across the Commonwealth,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “Not only will this funding help reduce blight and facilitate private investment, it will also add new housing opportunities and create jobs during the economic recovery.”
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. From the Fund’s inception in 1998 through FY20, it has supported 747 awards for a total investment of more than $108 million.
“MassDevelopment is proud to administer the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, which serves as an important resource for the cleanup and redevelopment of key properties, and we thank the Baker-Polito Administration and the Legislature for their continued support of the program,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Lauren Liss. “This year we’re choosing to make significant investments in five parcels that, once redeveloped, will allow for the creation of up to 312 housing units and about 50 full-time jobs.”
In August 2020, MassDevelopment opened a competitive solicitation for applications from municipalities and their agencies or authorities, for up to $100,000 in site assessment funding or up to $250,000 in site assessment and/or remediation funding.
The following municipalities and organizations received Brownfields Redevelopment Fund awards in FY21:
0 Tremont Street Parcel, Boston, $250,000
The Boston Planning and Development Agency will use funds to assess and remediate this 7.7-acre site near Nubian Square to support its redevelopment into approximately 200 units of affordable housing with commercial uses.
208 Montello Street, Brockton, $250,000
The City of Brockton will use funds to remediate the Corcoran Building, a 65,000-square-foot, three-story building located on a 1.2-acre property. Potential uses for the building include up to 62 units of affordable or workforce housing.
83 Willow Street, Lynn, $250,000
The Economic Development & Industrial Corporation (EDIC) of Lynn will use funds to remediate the former Whyte’s Laundry property, a .344-acre site in downtown Lynn, to enable redevelopment of other nearby properties for housing or commercial uses. In 2019, the EDIC of Lynn was awarded $248,000 from the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund to conduct pilot bench scale testing at this site.
36 Maple Avenue, Seekonk, $250,000
The Town of Seekonk will use funds to remediate the former Attleboro Dye Works Site, a 7.88-acre site with three industrial buildings totaling 105,000 square feet of space, before marketing the parcel for housing, commercial, or light industrial uses.
846 and 876 Bay Street, Springfield, $250,000
The City of Springfield will use funds to assess and remediate this 7.3-acre parcel, formerly used as an auto salvage and scrapyard, which will be targeted for the creation of a wood waste processing facility.
About MassDevelopment
MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, banks, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2020, MassDevelopment financed or managed 341 projects generating investment of more than $2.69 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are estimated to create or support 10,871 jobs and build or preserve 1,787 housing units.
