FY2014 - FY2018 Capital Investment Plan
Report - Investment Category - Community Investments
The Patrick Administration is committed to partnering with
Massachusetts cities and towns to improve road and broadband infrastructure,
promote economic growth and make Massachusetts a convenient and attractive
place to do business. The Administration is dedicated 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 enhance 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 2013 community development related spending.

Administration Accomplishments to Date
- The Patrick
Administration has provided a historic level of Chapter 90 local road aid
for cities and towns by currently providing $200 M a year in aid compared
to $120 M when the Governor took office.
- The
Administration has invested $92 M in funding for 23 public library
construction projects across the Commonwealth since 2008. Library
projects are engines of economic development statewide; for example, $92 M
in state funds generate approximately $184 M in total local activity,
creating over 900 jobs. Grants
have helped five libraries build LEED certified sustainable facilities
with an additional thirteen projects currently under construction that
plan to pursue LEED certification and together will receive an additional
$2.2 M in Green Incentive awards.
- Since
2008, the Water Pollution Abatement Trust (WPAT) has financed $1.6 B in
approximately 382 water infrastructure construction loans to cities, towns
and authorities across the Commonwealth, which has created an estimated
9,500 construction jobs. The Trust has also distributed $176 M 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 Advisory Council has partnered with coastal communities in over 95
projects with over $50 M in grants matched by 20% in local investment into
the ports of Massachusetts. This has resulted in modernized piers,
wharfs, boardwalks, bulkheads and ferry terminals throughout the
Commonwealth.
- The
Administration has supported 166 completed historic preservation grant
projects in 80 different communities.
- Since the beginning of the Patrick Administration, the
Cultural Facilities Fund has made 399 grants totaling $55 M to cultural
facilities for projects located in 99 cities and towns across the
Commonwealth. A recent survey of grantees found that grantees employ more
than 9,000 full-time equivalent employees.
FY14 Highlights
- In
FY14, the Patrick Administration will triple the funding to $15 M in the
Cultural Facilities Fund to support non-profit cultural facilities throughout
the Commonwealth.
- The
Commonwealth will make a robust new investment of $10 M in Urban Signature
Park projects in FY14, reflecting the Administration’s priority focus in
this area. These parks will be constructed in selected cities with goals
of bolstering economic development efforts and creating distinctive green
space.
- An
investment of $5 M will be made in urban playgrounds and spray parks. This
initiative aims to create 51 playgrounds or spray parks in the
Commonwealth’s urban environmental justice neighborhoods over a two-year
period.
- An investment
of $10 M in critical coastal infrastructure projects immediately ready for
construction. This funding will also provide for a sweeping risk
assessment of the entire Massachusetts coastline and stimulate the
development of sustainable infrastructure projects to mitigate coastal
risk.
- The
Early Education and Out of School Time Capital Fund will invest to improve
substandard space that hosts licensed, non-profit early education or out
of school programs across the Commonwealth. These funds will be issued as
competitive grants and are available to finance, plan, acquire, renovate,
and construct facilities to ensure that the Commonwealth’s children have
access to a quality and enriching learning environment.
- The
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is launching a pilot
program in fiscal year 2014 to “Green the Gateway Cities”. This program
will provide additional urban tree cover to several Environmental Justice
neighborhoods across the Commonwealth. This initiative will provide
social, as well as economic benefits, such as the reduction of residential
energy costs, the reduction of stormwater treatment costs and the
reduction of the “Urban Heat Island” effects that are aggravated by climate
change and pose a serious health threat to residents in Environmental
Justice neighborhoods. EEA is working with other Commonwealth agencies as
well as private entities to leverage this investment into an enhanced and
expanded program in the future.
- The
Patrick Administration will invest $20 M in grants in FY14 to local
library construction projects
around the Commonwealth
- 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 continue to fund the Springfield Union Station Parking
Garage in FY14. A 480-space parking garage will be constructed in
conjunction with the proposed development of the Union Station Regional
Intermodal Transportation Center, a $45 M project with multiple funding
sources.
- The
capital investment plan invests $200 M for Chapter 90 municipal road and
bridge projects. This is an $80 M increase over the annual funding level
when the Patrick Administration took office.
- In
FY14, the capital plan will disburse $1.1 M in equipment grants for
vocational schools. This new program will allow vocational school
students to train on equipment used in real world workplaces.
- The
Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance will work in
conjunction with the Secretary of State’s office to develop a
comprehensive master plan to identify the current and future needs of the
Commonwealth’s Registries of Deeds.
- The
capital investment plan invests $2 M for the construction of the Westfield
section of the Columbia Greenway Bike Trail.
- State
funding of $1.9 M will be contributed to a public/private partnership to
construct a $15.8 M ice rink and recreation center at Jackson Square in
the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. This project is part of a $104 M
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, non-profit organization
requiring no ongoing public subsidy.