MassInsider

Press Release: 2019-12-06

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $3 Million MassWorks Infrastructure Award in Fitchburg

12/05/2019

MassWorks

Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development

Office of Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito

FITCHBURG — Today, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito joined Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, Senator Dean Tran, Representative Stephan Hay, and other local leaders to announce a MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant of $3 million for improvements to Main and Boulder streets. The MassWorks project will transform Fitchburg’s downtown into a more pedestrian and business-friendly district, supporting new housing and mixed-use developments and the rehabilitation of the Fitchburg Theater.

MassWorks funds will convert both Main and Boulder streets from one-way to two-way streets, increasing traffic safety and circulation, and creating a walkable, bikeable business district. These improvements will spur the rehabilitation and renovation of the Fitchburg Theater on Main Street, a nearly 24,000 square foot cultural and commercial building that is already home to Fitchburg State University’s small business IdeaLab. Up to five commercial storefronts are planned for the first floor.

“MassWorks is a valuable program that maximizes return on investment for capital funding, delivering vital infrastructure repairs that improve public safety while stimulating local and private development, job growth and housing production,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We will continue to collaborate closely with local leaders to identify opportunities and target public resources toward the growth and wellbeing of communities across the Commonwealth.”

“As former municipal leaders, Governor Baker and I know firsthand the value of flexible grant programs like MassWorks, which help communities make targeted enhancements that unlock unique renovation opportunities for projects like the Fitchburg Theater and provide for innovative creative spaces like Fitchburg State’s IdeaLab,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are pleased to award today’s grant in support of Fitchburg’s continued redevelopment of their downtown, positioning the city for future growth and success.”

“This administration recognizes the importance of reliable, modern infrastructure to the safety and success of communities of all sizes,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “We are proud of the improvements to public safety, thousands of new jobs and housing units, and millions of square feet of new commercial space that the MassWorks program has delivered for residents, and we look forward to continuing to leverage every tool at our disposal to ensure all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts continue to thrive.”

Leveraging up to $100 million in private investment, the infrastructure project will also support multiple housing and mixed-use developments currently planned in the city’s downtown 40R Smart Growth District. These developments are expected to generate at least 139 units of housing, 62 units of live-work artist housing, and street-level commercial and retail opportunities.

“This grant represents the importance of collaborative community support amongst city stakeholders,” said Fitchburg Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale. “A culmination of effort from the Baker-Polito administration, the TDI partnership, and most importantly with Fitchburg State University. Our downtown is seeing tremendous growth, and this momentum would not be possible without this team effort. This project will send an important message about our downtown resurgence, as we continue to create an environment for capital investment to thrive within our downtown.”

“Fitchburg State’s investment in the theater block, along with our plans for future phases of its renovation, complement the city’s efforts to beautify the downtown and improve traffic flow and safety,” said Fitchburg State University President Richard S. Lapidus. “This grant will move our collective efforts forward.”

“Congratulations to the City of Fitchburg and Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale,” said Senator Dean Tran. “This is an important project for the revitalization of the City of Fitchburg. The commencement and completion of the project will not only provide safety improvements but also attract businesses to the area.”

“I’d like to thank the Baker-Polito Administration for awarding the grant, which is evidence that the city is making great progress on revitalizing downtown. The street improvements will serve the city and Commonwealth,” said Representative Stephan Hay.

Through the 2019 MassWorks round, the Baker-Polito Administration will award more than $72 million in MassWorks awards to a diverse mix of 36 projects in 35 communities across the Commonwealth, including nine Gateway Cities and eight communities that will receive MassWorks funding for the first time. The awards will unlock a total of $2.3 billion in private investment and more than 4,600 new full-time jobs, along with more than 3,100 new housing units, more than a third of which are affordable, building on the Administration’s efforts to tackle the ongoing housing shortage through complementary programs like historic funding for affordable housing and the proposed Housing Choice legislation. The transformative projects funded by the 2019 awards were selected from 92 applications, totaling $223 million in requests.

Since 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded more than $456 million in MassWorks grants to support 219 shovel-ready projects in 141 communities. MassWorks funding has leveraged over $9.2B in private investments and made possible the creation of more than 14,000 new housing units and tens of thousands of construction and permanent jobs.

Governor Baker signed economic development legislation in August 2018 that included substantial new funding for municipalities, including another $250 million for MassWorks awards. The legislation built on the Baker-Polito Administration’s work to partner with communities to catalyze economic development and create new opportunities for residents across the Commonwealth, including the 2016 Job Creation and Workforce Development act, which authorized $1 billion to support economic development efforts across the state, including a $500 million authorization for the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, enhanced tools and the introduction of new strategies for job-readiness efforts.