New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Yesterday, Governor Baker informed Senator Montigny that New Bedford will receive a $2.5 million MassWorks grant for the Union Street Improvement Project. Below, is the letter from the Senator to Secretary Ash advocating for this project.
It describes further detail on how the funds will benefit future downtown development. A formal announcement is expected from the Governor’s office at a later date.
“August 18, 2016
Honorable Jay Ash
Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
RE: City of New Bedford MassWorks Infrastructure Grant Program Application
Dear Secretary Ash:
I am writing to you in support of the City of New Bedford’s application to the MassWorks Infrastructure Program for the Union Street Improvement Project. This project, focused along our downtown’s main artery, will provide direct support for residential and commercials development along the corridor, through upgrades to transportation infrastructure and public utilities.
Downtown New Bedford is the region’s historical, commercial, and cultural hub. The Union Street Improvement Project supports a much needed rehabilitation of the street, creating an inviting pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular roadway, while also providing the infrastructure upgrades needed to support a number of upcoming private development projects, including a boutique hotel, two mixed use residential/commercial developments, and a brew pub.
These improvements along downtown’s main thoroughfare are vital to New Bedford’s ongoing revitalization. Since the rehabilitation of the Star Store building into a thriving college arts campus through state legislation, numerous restaurants, shops, galleries and housing units have been successfully developed. Such state funding and support has helped leverage private investments to make downtown New Bedford a thriving economic center. This latest project seeks to expand upon this success and generate further broad-based economic development. I ask that you give this application your utmost consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Mark C. Montigny
SENATOR”
