FY2013 - FY2017 Capital Investment Plan
Report - Investment Category - Community Investments
The Patrick-Murray Administration is committed to partnering with Massachusetts
cities and towns to improve infrastructure, promote economic growth and make
Massachusetts a convenient and attractive place to do business. The Administration
is also committed to supporting municipal grant programs that make important
local investments in public safety, affordable housing, smart growth
development strategies and energy efficiency. Additional investments in
historical, educational and recreational facilities will increase our
residents’ quality of life and encourage tourism throughout the Commonwealth.
The following graph reflects the Administration’s estimated
capital investment in community development projects and programs over the next
five years, as compared to fiscal years 2007 and 2012 community development
related spending.
Policy Goals
- Subsidize Local Road and Bridge
Maintenance Costs.
Through the Chapter 90 program, the Department of Transportation assists
cities and towns in maintaining their local roads.
- Invest in Gateway Cities. The Gateway Cities initiative
aims to increase economic opportunities, foster and strengthen civic
engagement and revitalize neighborhoods through targeted education and
workforce development initiatives, increased diversity of housing options
and investment in infrastructure.
- Provide Relief to Water and Sewer
Ratepayers. Through
the provision of low cost capital financing to cities, towns and other
eligible entities, the Commonwealth improves water quality and provides
relief to ratepayers.
- Improve Local Resources and
Promote Tourism. The
Commonwealth will develop the commercial maritime resources, contribute to
library projects, boost historic preservation projects and improve
facilities for 56 cultural organizations.
Administration Accomplishments to Date
- The
Patrick-Murray Administration has provided a record level of Chapter 90
local road aid for cities and towns by currently providing $200 million a
year in aid compared to $120 million when the Governor took office.
- The Administration has invested
$55 million in funding for 18 public library construction projects across
the Commonwealth. Since 2008, these projects have generated approximately
740 jobs each year.
- Since 2006,
the Water Pollution Abatement Trust has financed $2.1 billion in
approximately 550 construction loans to 172 cities, towns and authorities,
which has created an estimated 12,597 construction jobs. The Trust has
also distributed $176 million in federal stimulus funding to construction
projects to create jobs, jumpstart the economy and promote Massachusetts’
“green” infrastructure. This federal funding is estimated to have created
1,058 jobs.
- The Seaport Council has supported
$50 million in investments to the coastal communities of Massachusetts.
Over 95 seaport projects have been funded since the beginning of the
Patrick-Murray Administration.
- The Administration has supported
137 completed historic preservation grant projects in 80 communities.
- Since the
beginning of the Administration, the Cultural Facilities Fund has made 335
grants totaling $50 million to cultural facilities for projects located in
86 cities and towns across the Commonwealth. A recent survey of grantees
found that grantees employ more than 7,700 full-time equivalent employees.
FY13 Highlights
- The capital investment plan
invests $200 million for Chapter 90 municipal road and bridge projects.
This is an $80 million increase over the annual funding level when the
Patrick-Murray Administration took office.
- The Patrick-Murray Administration
announced $41.8 million in grants to support 8 new library construction
projects through an expansion to the Public Library Contruction Program.
- The Boston Public Market project
will convert a vacant state building adjacent to the Rose Kennedy Greenway
into a public market to offer a variety of local and culturally
significant food products. This project will create 100 construction jobs
and 200 permanent jobs.
- The Administration will
contribute $5.4 million in FY13 for the Springfield Union Station Parking
Garage. A 480-space parking garage will be constructed in conjunction
with the proposed development of the Union Station Regional Intermodal
Transportation Center, a $45 million project with multiple funding
sources.
- The capital investment plan
invests $2 million for the construction of the Westfield section of the
Columbia Greenway Bike Trail.
- Governor Patrick has announced a
$5.6 million grant toward a public/private partnership to construct a
$15.8 million ice rink and recreation center at Jackson Square in the
Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. This project is part of a $104 million
rehabilitation of the neighborhood. When completed, this facility will
provide safe, supervised recreation for youths in Roxbury and Jamaica
Plain, and will be operated by a private, nonprofit organization requiring
no ongoing public subsidy.
- The Commonwealth will aid
Worcester and surrounding communities with $1.5 million in capital funding
in FY13 for reforestation efforts after the longhorn beetle infestation
forced communities to cut down trees.