波士頓市長吳弭將動用6000萬元資助建造可負擔住宅 150塊市有土地可供發展

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN PROGRAMS FOR LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME HOMEBUYERS IN BOSTON The initiative includes making 150 city-owned parcels available for income-restricted homeownership development

BOSTON - Friday, November 18, 2022 - Building on her commitment to creating affordable housing in Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu today announced a significant investment in creating homeownership opportunities. The Mayor has directed $60 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to be allocated to the development of income-restricted housing for eligible Boston residents and financial assistance programs to help residents in buying homes. The City will make 150 parcels of land available to developers to build income-restricted homeownership opportunities and will be providing grants that will deliver lower mortgage interest rates and up to $50,000 in direct assistance, including down payment and closing cost assistance, to income-eligible first-time homebuyers. Funding will also be used to launch a homeownership program for qualified Boston Housing Authority residents. The proposed investments in homeownership are part of the Mayor’s commitment to address housing affordability and stability through the operating budget, the Capital budget, and federal recovery funds to build and acquire new affordable units, upgrade public housing, expand housing stability services, and expand a voucher program. “Housing is the foundation of a healthy, thriving City,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “In Boston this is an urgent issue that impacts every neighborhood, every generation, every demographic. We are moving as fast as possible with every single lever that the City has, making land available in partnership with community developers and making the financing possible with increased down payment assistance to ensure every resident has access to affordable homeownership opportunities.” "Today's announcement is a big win for creating homeownership opportunities in our communities while simultaneously improving neighborhoods through the activation of vacant lots,” said Councilor Brian Worrell. “This initiative is an important investment in addressing our housing shortage and allowing families to realize the dream of homeownership." “Investments that both create new affordable homes and provide meaningful financial assistance will allow more families to buy in Boston,” said Sheila Dillon, Chief of Housing. “In the upcoming months, we will be working hard with our partners to make sure that Boston residents learn of, and act on, these important opportunities.” In June, the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) announced the completion of the Public Land for Public Good: Citywide Land Audit of all city-owned property. This report was the culmination of an effort to comprehensively inventory all City-owned properties, identify vacant and underutilized properties, and set in motion accelerated efforts to best utilize these properties to serve Boston’s communities, particularly through the development of affordable housing. Of those parcels, 150 were designated as suitable for the development of housing. In early 2023, the City will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to developers for the first 70 parcels to create homes for residents to own. A portion of the ARPA funds will be used to subsidize the construction of the housing units, making the new homes affordable to moderate-income households. "The BPDA is working diligently to expand affordable homeownership opportunities for all Bostonians, as a way to bolster equity and inclusion in our housing market," said Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison. "The results of the land audit, in combination with the Mayor's directive to streamline the BPDA’s approval process for affordable housing, will get us there." In addition to building new homes, the Mayor’s Office of Housing will fund three financial assistance programs that will aid households looking to purchase a home in Boston. The Boston Home Center (BHC) First Time Homebuyer program, the Saving Toward Affordable Sustainable Homeownership (STASH) program, and the ONE+Boston program. Income-qualified buyers will be eligible for downpayment and closing cost assistance of up to 5% of the purchase price, not to exceed $50,000 through the BHC first-time homebuyer assistance program. The City’s down-payment assistance can be matched with the State’s 5% down-payment program, allowing homeowners to receive a grant of up to 10% of the purchase price of a home.  Down-payment assistance can be used with the ONE+Boston program which provides discounts on interest rates for first-time homebuyers.  With the ONE+Boston program, qualified Boston residents who earn between 81% and 100% AMI will receive a half percent (0.5%) discount rate off the reduced interest rate offered through the ONE Mortgage product (currently about 6.625%). Boston residents who earn below 80% AMI will receive up to one percent (1%) off of the current ONE Mortgage rate. The downpayment assistance combined with the discounted mortgage rates through the ONE+Boston program will greatly increase the buying options for qualified residents.  This targeted funding will also enhance the STASH program. The STASH program is the first-in-the-nation matched-savings program for first-generation homebuyers who are earning below the area median income and are buying in the City of Boston. The program, designed and managed by the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA)  provides first-generation homebuyers with education and counseling on purchasing a home. In addition, first-generation buyers that complete the program and save $2,000 towards a home purchase are eligible to receive a 10-1 match if they buy a home in Boston.   “The additional funding for the STASH program and the ONE+Boston program will be necessary in allowing many first-time and first-generation homebuyers to continue their plans of buying in Boston, even as the market becomes increasingly difficult,” said Symone Crawford, Executive Director, Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance, MAHA. “During this time of historically high-interest rates and low inventory, our graduates have had to postpone their home-buying search or look farther away from the city. Mayor Wu’s investment is critical in keeping our homebuyers in Boston.” To assist Boston’s public housing residents and voucher participants in purchasing their first homes, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) has created a new program in partnership with the City of Boston. BHA’s First Home Program is providing eligible BHA residents with enhanced down payment assistance of up to $75,000 for a home purchased within the City of Boston. This program is available to all qualifying BHA public housing and Section 8 residents who purchase a home within the City of Boston. BHA has a goal to reach 100 households through this program. Section 8 voucher participants can use their housing subsidy towards their mortgage payments through the Section 8 (HCV) to Homeownership Program, a program the BHA is expanding through this initiative. BHA applicants will receive home buying counseling support from the new BHA Homeownership advisor. BHA residents can learn more about the program at bostonhousing.org/firsthome. “We have families that really want to purchase their own home, and can support a mortgage, but need to get over the hurdle of upfront down-payment costs,” said Kate Bennett, Administrator and CEO at the BHA.  “Providing homeownership opportunities to BHA public housing and Section 8 residents is a huge win—it means long term stability and opportunity for families here in Boston.” Boston has an overall homeownership rate of 35 percent, considerably less than the statewide homeownership rate of 62 percent. Homeownership rates differ significantly by race and ethnicity, as 44 percent of Boston’s white households are homeowners, compared to 31 percent of Black or African American households, 30 percent of Asian or Pacific Islander households, and 17 percent of Hispanic or Latinx households. These investments in homeownership build on Mayor Wu’s initiatives to address Boston’s housing affordability, including filing a Home Rule Petition relative to real estate transfer fees and senior property tax relief, signing an Executive Order relative to affirmatively furthering fair housing, convening a Rent Stabilization Advisory Committee to inform future legislative proposals and signing an Executive Order to streamline the approval process for affordable housing.

麻州總檢察長加入不分黨派行列 再呼籲為用藥失調者提供遠距看診

AG HEALEY JOINS BIPARTISAN EFFORT CALLING FOR CONTINUATION OF TELEHEALTH VISITS FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER TREATMENT 

 

           BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey joined a bipartisan coalition of 45 attorneys general in calling on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to permanently permit doctors to prescribe buprenorphine, one of three drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat opioid use disorder, during telehealth visits. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA has allowed doctors to use telehealth visits to prescribe buprenorphine, but the rule allowing it to be prescribed virtually is set to expire when the federal public health emergency ends. 

 

In a letter sent to DEA and SAMHSA, the attorneys general say it’s critical for the federal government to continue to leverage telemedicine to support those in recovery and end the opioid crisis. Last year, more than 100,000 Americans died from fatal overdoses, a figure that includes 2,290 people in Massachusetts – the highest rate ever recorded in the state.  

 

“As our nation faces record-high overdose death rates, we need to remove barriers to care and expand access to treatment for those struggling with this crisis,” AG Healey said. “Allowing for continued access to these telehealth services will provide the support and flexibility that individuals with substance use disorder need.”  

 

As a condition of the COVID-19 public health emergency, in March 2020 the DEA allowed audio-visual telemedicine services to prescribe all Schedule II-V controlled substances, including buprenorphine. Without the proposed permanent extension, the expiration of the public health emergency could cut off an estimated 2.5 million U.S. adults who utilize the opioid use disorder treatment.  

 

The current allowance for telehealth services also expands access to buprenorphine to patients who may have previously struggled to receive the medication. “An estimated 28 million Americans live more than 10 miles and about 3 million live over 30 miles from a buprenorphine provider. Today, the delivery of care for buprenorphine treatment has shifted significantly to telehealth, making it more accessible than ever for individuals to access the treatment they need,” the attorneys general wrote. 

 

In the letter, the attorneys general highlight that they are joining a chorus of advocates, addiction treatment providers, medical practitioners, recovery groups, public health experts, and members of the House of Representative’s Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force in urging the administration to permanently extend these telehealth flexibilities for buprenorphine. 

 

During her eight years in office, AG Healey has prioritized combatting the opioid crisis from all angles. Her office is bringing hundreds of millions of dollars to Massachusetts communities through settlements with opioid distributors, manufacturers, and consultants for their role in fueling the epidemic. The AG’s Office has also worked to disrupt drug trafficking networks through the AG’s New England Fentanyl Strike Force, which has seized nearly 439 kilograms of heroin and fentanyl including tens of thousands of opioid pills and arrested more than 580 suspects. The AG’s Office has also provided grant funding to promote equity in substance use disorder treatment. 

 

The attorneys general of the following states and territories signed on to the letter led by Florida and North Carolina: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.  

麻州長要求2023年預算增加1億3900萬元用於應急臨時庇護所

 Baker-Polito Administration Files $139 Million Supplemental Budget to Address Emergency Temporary Shelter Needs

 

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today filed a $139 million Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) supplemental budget to support the Commonwealth’s response to substantially increased demand on the emergency assistance shelter system. The targeted funding and policy changes in this bill will provide resources to expand emergency shelter capacity to address an uptick in need for these services, which is driven in part by a recent increase in migrant entries to Massachusetts, due to federal immigration policy.

 

“Massachusetts’ emergency shelter system provides support for thousands of families each year, but a recent uptick in new migrant arrivals, coupled with a strained housing market have led to a need for greater capacity across the system,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These expanded resources will help us quickly and effectively address this humanitarian crisis, especially as we enter the winter months. We look forward to working with our partners in the Legislature, the nonprofit community and local government as we all address this unprecedented challenge, which is unfortunately driven by the federal government’s inability to address our country’s immigration challenges.”

 

“This legislation is a comprehensive response to the shelter capacity challenges we are facing across the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “The bill includes important provisions such as funding for school districts that will see an increase in enrollment as we expand the shelter system statewide to meet our statutory and moral obligations to provide shelter for families in crisis.”

 

Building on $20 million provided in the recently signed economic development bill to support the needs of immigrants and refugees, this bill proposes a $130 million reserve to meet immediate needs across the multiple agencies that play a role in responding to the needs of families in need of emergency shelter placement.

 

The reserve includes $73 million to expand the overall capacity of the shelter system, which will fund the provisioning of more than 1,300 additional temporary shelter units and shelter provider rate increases to support recruitment and retention. It also includes $20 million to establish and maintain a temporary central intake center, where families during their first few days in shelter can receive timely case management services and various intake assessments. The remaining $37 million will support the costs associated with placing new students in local schools through the end of FY24.

 

“This supplemental spending proposal will provide the state with resources urgently needed to respond to increasing demand in the emergency shelter system," said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan. “The Commonwealth has sufficient revenues to finance these appropriations and measures in Fiscal Year 2023, and we hope to see this legislation quickly acted upon to ensure we are able to continue providing critical services and shelter to all families in need in Massachusetts." 

 

"These much-needed additional resources and policy changes will support the ongoing efforts of our team at the Department of Housing and Community Development and contracted service providers to meet the increasing demand for safe shelter that we are experiencing in Massachusetts," said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. "As a right-to-shelter state, we have a statutory and moral obligation to create adequate family shelter capacity for new arrivals and families experiencing homelessness. This legislation will give the Commonwealth the necessary tools to effectively address this humanitarian crisis.”

 

The bill also includes several policy changes that will enable the state to more quickly and efficiently respond to increased need for emergency temporary shelter. It also includes a section that allows the Commonwealth, in consultation with local school districts and subject to appropriation, to enroll students from state-placed families to nearby districts to help local communities better manage the impact of an increase in student enrollment.

 

The bill also re-files a request for $9.2 million for the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to implement the Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA), which will enable the RMV to begin hiring now to ensure it has the staffing needed to meet the increased demand for services and enable the RMV to efficiently and securely develop new processes and transaction types required by the legislation.

 

To read the Governor’s filing letter, click here.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Nearly $12 Million to 24 Ecological Restoration Projects

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Nearly $12 Million to 24 Ecological Restoration Projects

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) has awarded through its Priority Projects Program approximately $11.8 million in grant funding to 24 projects that will strengthen community preparedness for large storms, improve climate-ready infrastructure, and protect fish, wildlife, and river and wetland habitats. In December 2021, Governor Baker signed a $4 billion federal COVID-19 relief spending bill utilizing funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). $11.4 million of today’s grants are being awarded utilizing ARPA funds, with the remainder of the funding coming from DER’s Operational Budget.

“Ecological restoration is essential for building a climate-ready Commonwealth that will restore and enhance Massachusetts’ natural resources to address climate vulnerabilities while providing important access to recreational opportunities for residents,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our Administration continues to invest in this work and support Massachusetts communities and ecosystems that will bring environmental benefits for generations to come.”

“Through these projects, communities will be able to increase climate resilience, improve public safety, enhance habitat, and provide additional benefits to our residents, wildlife, and natural resources,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We are grateful for the strong partnership between our Administration, municipalities, and other organizations to move these valuable restoration efforts forward.”

The Priority Projects Program is one of the vehicles by which DER pursues restoration projects that provide significant social, environmental, and economic benefits to the state and local communities and support projects throughout the Commonwealth that advance DER’s mission. Priority Projects underway include the restoration of tidal flow to degraded coastal habitats, removal of aging and unsafe dams, and restoration of freshwater wetlands in former cranberry farmlands.

“It is imperative that we continue to improve degraded habitats to benefit wildlife and enable communities across the Commonwealth to be more resilient to the impacts of climate change,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “Providing funds for these projects is an example of the Administration’s ongoing efforts to support the restoration of our rivers and waterways in order to promote healthy ecosystems and climate preparedness.”

“We are excited to support this group of projects, which bring numerous benefits to both people and nature,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Ron Amidon. “The results of this funding will be enjoyed into the future as they enable residents and visitors alike to step into nature with new recreational opportunities, improved water quality and habitat for wildlife, and resilience to the impacts of climate change.”

“We are proud to support these projects and to continue to work with our dedicated partners to achieve our restoration goals,” said DER Director Beth Lambert. “We are excited to see this work continue to advance and look forward to the many benefits it will bring to Massachusetts’ people and environment.” 

The following 22 projects were awarded grant funds through DER’s Priority Projects Program through ARPA funds:

Abbey Brook Restoration and Revitalization, Chicopee

Award: City of Chicopee; $2,000,000

• This award will support the first construction phase of the Abbey Brook Restoration and Revitalization Project, which aims to restore and revitalize Abbey Brook by removing two dams, replacing an undersized road-stream crossing, and “daylighting” a culverted reach of a stream along Abbey Brook in Chicopee. This first phase includes the removal of the Lower Bemis Pond Dam and stormwater management improvements along the reach of Abbey Brook. This work will eliminate the risk to public safety posed by the aging dams, reduce flood risk, restore natural river processes, improve water quality, and enhance recreational opportunities.

Bayview Cranberry Bogs Restoration, Yarmouth

Award: Cape Cod Conservation District; $350,000

• This award will support project development, engineering and design, permitting, and community engagement for the Bayview Cranberry Bogs Restoration Project, which aims to restore approximately 44 acres of abandoned commercial cranberry bogs to healthy, self-sustaining wetlands. This work will improve public access, recreation, and climate resilience on the 90-acre project site located within an environmental justice community.

Bowen’s Pond Dam Removal, Wendell

Award: Bowen’s Pond LLC; $125,000

• This award will support project design and permitting for the Bowen’s Pond Dam Removal and Osgood Brook Restoration Project in Wendell. This project will restore natural riverine ecological functions, improve downstream coldwater fisheries habitat, and eliminate a potential public safety hazard.

Church Manufacturing Co. Dam Removal, Monson

Award: RJ Realty Holdings; $800,000

• This award will support the design, permitting, and construction of the Chicopee Brook Restoration Project, which aims to remove the Church Manufacturing Co. Dam. This project will eliminate unnecessary infrastructure and reconnect a segment of Chicopee Brook, which is a Coldwater Fisheries Resource, as well as improve public safety and eliminate costly future maintenance and repairs.

Cold Brook Restoration, Harwich

Award: Harwich Conservation Trust; $400,000

• This award will support implementation and construction oversight for the Cold Brook Restoration Project, which aims to restore a healthy, self-sustaining wetland and stream system within over 50 acres of a former commercial cranberry bog and over 4,000 linear feet of river channel along Cold Brook in Harwich. This project will improve habitat for migratory and resident fish, as well as improve coastal resilience and water quality.

Freemans Pond Restoration, Brewster

Award: Town of Brewster; $200,000

• This award will support permitting and adaptive management at the culvert inlet of the completed Freemans Pond Restoration Project, also leveraging federal funding. The Freemans Pond Restoration Project replaced an undersized culvert that restricted flow. The project improved tidal flow and benefitted over 20 acres of salt marsh and associated plant communities, fish, and coastal bird species. The site has an active anadromous fish run for herring and brown trout. Current work will protect the investments in coastal restoration and improve the coastal resiliency of both the natural and built environment.

Kinne Brook Restoration, Chester

Award: Trout Unlimited; $350,000

• This award will support the construction of a culvert replacement and the removal of another culvert on a tributary to Kinne Brook. Replacing the undersized culvert with a larger, safer structure and removing the failed culvert that is no longer in use will allow full upstream and downstream movement of aquatic species, including native eastern brook trout, and will reduce the risk of road damage and failure in flood conditions. This project is part of a multi-year effort to reconnect over 10 miles of coldwater fish habitat, to date including completed dam removal and culvert replacement.

Larkin Road Dam Removal, Newbury

Award: Town of Newbury; $450,000

• This award will support the design, permitting, and implementation phases of the Parker River Restoration Project, which aims to remove the Larkin Road Dam and associated structures on the Parker River to restore ecological function and fish passage for migratory and resident aquatic species. This grant leverages $60,000 of municipal and $50,000 of USFWS funds, as well as previous DER investments.

Long Pond Brook Restoration, Great Barrington

Award: Bard College at Simon’s Rock; $150,000

• This award will support data collection, preliminary design, and permitting of the Long Pond Brook Restoration Project, which aims to restore aquatic connectivity to Long Pond Brook by removing three dams on the Bard College at Simon’s Rock campus. This project will eliminate the risk to public safety posed by aging dams, reconnect river habitats that benefit fish and wildlife, and restore natural riverine flows. 

Mattapoisett Bogs Restoration, Mattapoisett

Award: Buzzards Bay Coalition; $600,000

• This award will support the implementation of the Mattapoisett Bogs Restoration Project, which aims to re-naturalize 57 acres of retired cranberry bogs, restore aquatic connectivity to Tripps Mill Brook, and improve public access and amenities on-site.

Mill Brook Restoration, Chilmark

Award: Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, Inc.; $100,000

• This award will support construction for the Mill Brook Restoration Project, which aims to implement one of the first culvert replacement projects on Martha’s Vineyard, and leverages $138,842 in federal funds. This project will restore ecological function, including fish and wildlife passage, provide reliable vehicular access across Mill Brook, and restore habitat for eastern brook trout and other coldwater species.

Monatiquot River Restoration, Braintree

Award: Town of Braintree; $1,444,981

• This award will support the removal of the “High Hazard” Armstrong Dam and the Ames Pond Dam as part of the Monatiquot River Restoration Project. This award leverages over $5.5 million of private, local, state, and federal funds. The project will open 36 river miles, strengthen community resilience, improve water quality, and restore natural river processes.

Nashawannuck Brook Restoration, Northampton

Award: City of Northampton; $250,000

• This award will support planning and assessment, conceptual design, permitting, and community outreach for the Nashawannuck Brook Restoration Project, which seeks to restore the stream and wetlands within a former golf course property. Restoration will improve stream and wetland habitat and function, remove barriers to aquatic connectivity, improve water quality, enhance climate resilience, preserve open space, and provide passive recreation through an established trail network.

Old Swamp River Dam Removal, Weymouth

Award: Town of Weymouth; $200,000

• This award will support the design, permitting, and construction phases of the Old Swamp River Dam Removal and Restoration project, which aims to remove the obsolete Sediment Nutrient Uptake Pond (SNUP) Dam to restore natural riverine processes, continuity, and habitat for migratory and resident cold-water species. In addition, the SNUP settling basins will be decommissioned to restore natural riparian wetland function for improved habitat and water quality benefits.

Pamet River Restoration, Truro

Award: Town of Truro; $400,000

• This award will support project management, data collection, modeling, design, and permitting for the Pamet River Restoration Project and leverages additional federal funding. This project aims to restore 225 acres of former tidal habitat and improve connectivity to more than six miles of stream habitat for migratory and resident fish species. This work will improve salt marsh habitat and increase climate resilience.

South Middleton Dam Removal, Middleton

Award: Bostik, Inc.; $370,000

• This award will support the removal of the South Middleton Dam, which is in poor condition and has the potential to pose a significant hazard. This grant leverages over $1,000,000 of previous federal, state, and private investments. Its removal will open 57 miles of mainstem and tributary habitat, improve water quality, and eliminate a public safety hazard.

Stuart Bogs Restoration, Rochester

Award: Buzzards Bay Coalition; $250,000

• This award will support engineering design, permitting, and wetland restoration for the Stuart Bogs Restoration Project, which aims to restore wetlands by naturalizing the flow of water through approximately 65 acres of retired cranberry bogs that drain into the west branch of the Sippican River. This project will expand a rare natural Coastal Atlantic White Cedar Swamp, improve wetland habitat and function, enhance climate resilience through carbon sequestration, preserve open space, and allow public access through the development of a trail network.

Talbot Mills Dam Removal, Billerica

Award: OARS; $385,000

• This award will support design, construction administration services, and permitting for the Concord River Restoration Project, which aims to remove the Talbot Mills Dam and leverages $250,000 in Natural Resource Damages settlement funds. This project will decommission aging infrastructure, eliminate ongoing maintenance and repair obligations, reduce upstream flood hazards, restore passage for migratory fish species, and improve water quality, aquatic habitat, and natural riverine processes.

Town River Restoration, Bridgewater

Award: Town of Bridgewater; $2,000,000

• This award will support the implementation of the Town River Restoration Project, which aims to remove the High Street Dam, replace the undersized and aging High Street road-stream crossing over Town River, and protect and enhance surrounding infrastructure and public utilities.

Upper Bass River Wetland Restoration, Yarmouth

Award: Friends of Bass River; $165,000

• This award will be used to advance engineering, preliminary designs, and permitting tasks for the Weir Road culvert replacement component of the Upper Bass River Wetland Restoration project. The project involves the replacement of two undersized, tidal road-stream crossings and the restoration of a cranberry bog, and will improve tidal flushing, fish habitat access, and water quality within the Bass River watershed.

Upper Coonamessett River Restoration, Falmouth

Award: Town of Falmouth; $100,000

• This award will support the completion of project permitting, design, and bid phase services for the Upper Coonamessett River Restoration Project, which aims to restore a healthy, self-sustaining wetland and stream system within over 20 acres of a former commercial cranberry bog and approximately 3,700 linear feet of river channel along the Coonamessett River. This project complements the Lower Coonamessett River Restoration Project, completed in 2020.

Windswept Cranberry Bog Restoration, Nantucket

Award: Nantucket Conservation Foundation; $400,000

• This award will support final design, permitting, and a portion of construction phase services for the Windswept Cranberry Bog Restoration Project, which aims to restore 40 acres of former commercial cranberry bogs to healthy, self-sustaining wetlands and sandplain grasslands, and integrate the restored landscape within the publicly accessible 231-acre conservation property. The restored landscape will a provide habitat for a wide variety of animal and plant species.

In addition, these two projects are supported through DER Operational Earmarks through DER’s Operational Budget:

Assawompset Ponds Complex, Taunton River Watershed

Award: Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District; $250,000

• This award will advance flood management efforts and will contribute to the management of aquatic invasive species within the Assawompset Ponds Complex (APC), which has recurring issues with flooding, sedimentation, water quality, and diminished herring runs. Assawompset Pond is the largest natural freshwater lake in Massachusetts and is part of a larger system of ponds, collectively called the Assawompset Ponds Complex (APC). The APC serves as the public water supply for the Cities of New Bedford and Taunton and forms the headwaters of the Nemasket River, which has the longest herring run in Massachusetts.

Belle Isle Marsh Preservation, East Boston

Award: Friends of Belle Isle Marsh, Inc.; $50,000

• This award will support the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh for the implementation of their environmental preservation programs at Belle Isle Marsh Reservation in East Boston. Belle Isle Marsh is the largest remaining salt marsh in Boston Harbor and provides important wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and climate resilience benefits to the surrounding communities.

“As we work together to build a more resilient and climate-ready Commonwealth, I want to applaud the Baker-Polito Administration for working with us in the Legislature to combat climate change, improve water quality, enhance local habitats and meet critical environmental infrastructure needs,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means (D-Westport). “Because of our enduring partnership, we have made incredible progress and this $12 million award announcement is just another strong example of how we can invest to protect our communities, promote healthier ecosystems, while confronting the impacts of climate change head on.”

“I am thrilled to see several critical ecological restoration projects on the Cape and Islands receive funding through the Department of Fish and Game's Priority Projects Program,” said State Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “The Cape and Islands’ natural environment will benefit immensely from these grant monies which will be used to restore wetlands, grasslands, stream systems, salt marshes, and tidal areas in order to support habitat for animals and plants, increase climate resilience, and improve water quality.”

To review a full list of active ecological restoration Priority Projects throughout the state, please visit DER’s Restoration Project Map webpage.

The mission of the Division of Ecological Restoration is to restore and protect the Commonwealth’s rivers, wetlands, and watersheds for the benefit of people and the environment. Additionally, the Department of Fish and Game is responsible for promoting the conservation and enjoyment of the Commonwealth's natural resources. DFG carries out this mission through land protection and wildlife habitat management, management of inland and marine fish and wildlife species, and ecological restoration of fresh water, salt water, and terrestrial habitats. DFG promotes enjoyment of the Massachusetts environment through outdoor skills workshops, fishing festivals and other educational programs, and by enhancing access to the Commonwealth's rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.

BPDA approves new life science developments that will create thousands of jobs New housing in Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mission Hill moves forward

BOSTON - Thursday, November 17, 2022 - The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors this month approved eight new development projects representing 1,618,072 square feet (SF). The new projects will create 222 residential units, 80 of which will be designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 1,606 construction jobs and 3,863 permanent jobs. These projects will make Boston a more resilient, affordable, and equitable city.  BPDA Board adopts affordable housing executive order The BPDA Board of Directors adopted Mayor Michelle Wu’s Executive Order Relative to Speeding the Production of Affordable Housing. This executive order is intended to streamline the process for developing affordable housing across the city. The order directs the BPDA to recommend changes to Article 80 of the Boston Zoning Code to establish an alternative path for the review of affordable housing developments. The new process will include community engagement and thorough agency review, but also establish clear and accelerated timelines. Within 120 days, the BPDA will issue a report on potential Boston Zoning Code changes that would incentivize the creation of affordable housing while minimizing the need for variances or other permitting burdens for these projects. Planning and Urban Design BPDA releases RFP to study vacant office conversions The BPDA Board of Directors approved the release of a Request for Proposals to study the feasibility of offices being converted into residential housing, life science, and other uses in Downtown Boston. This RFP is part of a larger effort to revitalize Downtown Boston in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The study will coordinate closely with the recently relaunched PLAN: Downtown to provide a market analysis, cost estimates, and policy recommendations to assess the immediate and long-term opportunity areas for office conversion. The study supports the overarching goals of increasing the number of residents in the Downtown area which will result in increased economic activity outside of traditional working hours, and enhance housing access for Boston residents across all levels of affordability. It will also seek to preserve historic building facades and downtown’s historic character, while providing new mixed uses. This RFP will go live November 21, with responses due by December 22. Development Projects 125 Lincoln Street project to build a new research and development building, create affordable housing project on separate site in Chinatown Live: Affordable housing project at 79 Essex Street creating 50-60 units, more than $2 million in linkage contributions towards affordable housing  Work: Approximately 375 construction jobs, approximately 1,000 permanent jobs, MassBioEd life sciences apprenticeship program, more than $400,000 in linkage contributions towards job training Connect: Public realm and right of way improvements, construction of onsite banquet hall Sustain: Targeting a 90 percent reduction in fossil fuel consumption This project in the Leather District will convert what is currently a dilapidated building consisting of parking, retail, and office space, into a new 11-story research and development building with ground floor retail space. In support of affordable housing, this project will contribute 50-60 income-restricted units at nearby 79 Essex Street in Chinatown, to be developed by an affordable housing developer, and which will go through its own public process. The proposed 79 Essex Street development will be a restoration project, meeting one of the many goals of the PLAN: Downtown planning initiative of historic preservation, and preserving the urban fabric of Downtown and Chinatown. The 125 Lincoln Street project will make on- and off-site public realm improvements to improve pedestrian conditions in the Leather District, complete the Beach  Street Corridor, and better connect the site to the adjacent Greenway. In addition, it will provide design and other resources to implement or advance improvements to the Leather District Park, as well as funding for Chin Park, and the Greenway Business Improvement District. In support of the City’s carbon neutral goals, the project will target a 90 percent reduction in fossil fuel consumption, and design to prepare for sea level rise. To motivate potential retail tenants, the project will contribute $3.5 million towards design and construction for community oriented retail businesses on the ground floor. The project is also contributing $200,000 to help relocate the Hei La Moon restaurant currently on site. In support of creating jobs, the project will contribute approximately $200,000 to MassBioEd, providing STEM education resources and a pathway to biotech and life science jobs for Boston residents. In addition, approximately $50,000 will go to the Josiah Quincy Elementary School for STEM education resources. There will be 134 bike parking spaces on site, showers, and lockers to support biking commuters, as well as a $95,160 contribution to the Boston Transportation Department to support the City’s bikeshare program, and for a new Bluebikes station onsite. Project at 310 Northern Avenue (Parcel X) to stimulate thousands of jobs, build new innovation center on the South Boston Waterfront Work: Thousands of permanent jobs, hundreds of construction jobs, new seafood facility for marine tenants to grow businesses, ground floor retail space Connect: 50,000 SF of public realm space, protects needs of industrial and marine industrial businesses which have historically operated in the marine park, storage for 338 bikes, contribute to City’s bikeshare program, close proximity to Silver Line Sustain: Sea level rise resilient, $250,000 in resiliency funding per year Located in the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park (RLFMP), this project will redevelop 310 Northern Avenue, also known as Parcel X, into two new research and development buildings on the South Boston Waterfront. The project will also build a new seafood processing center on a portion of the Massport Marine Terminal site, to relocate two seafood processing businesses that are currently on Parcel X. This will allow the redevelopment of the site into a new innovation center, while preserving maritime industrial business. The new seafood processing facility, which will go through its own separate Article 80 process, will allow the seafood tenants to significantly extend their ground lease term (securing their future within the RLFMP), and modernize their operations. In support of resiliency goals, this project will elevate a portion of the current site, and raise the first floor of the new building elevation, and key outdoor public spaces by approximately three feet to protect against future sea level rise. In addition, the project will participate in the BPDA’s newly created Climate Resiliency Infrastructure Fund,  which will  provide private-sector funding to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise for the RLFMP. Bike parking will be provided on site to encourage biking as an alternative form of transportation for employees. Project at 51 Melcher Street in Fort Point to create hundreds of jobs at new life science development Live: $245,000 towards community improvements Work: Creation of approximately 100 construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs Connect: ¼ mile to South Station, Melcher Street ADA sidewalk improvements Sustain: LEED Gold Certified, Flood resiliency A building in Fort Point that was being used as office space will be converted for life science use, preserving the historic building and protecting it from sea level rise. The renovation and conversion project, which will result in the creation of approximately 101 construction jobs and an estimated 304 permanent jobs, will also renovate the area’s sidewalk and streetscape. This will allow the project to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design. The project will also contribute $60,000 to local scholarship funds to support Boston high school students and $45,000 towards local arts organizations intended to be used for public art installations. Vacant building to become new hotel at 7-9 Hamilton Place in Downtown Crossing Live: 80 hotel rooms, ground floor cafe, rooftop amenity space Work: Approximately 40 construction jobs, 25 hotel staffing jobs, commercial space Connect: Close proximity to MBTA, onsite bike storage Sustain: Committed to exploring the use of Mass Timber in building This new development at 7-9 Hamilton Place in Downtown Crossing will convert what is currently a vacant building into a twelve-story, 80 room hotel, while preserving the original historical facade from the 1870s. This transit-oriented project is located in close proximity to the MBTA’s Green, Red, and Orange Lines, and includes bike parking onsite. The project will also contribute $50,000 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the Bluebikes program. The first floor of the building will include an entry court into the building, a café, a lobby with a concierge and administrative office, a bike room, and a back of house kitchen area. Floors 4-11 will include hotel rooms, and the twelfth floor will include amenity space for guests. This project will also explore the possibility of using Mass Timber when building. As part of the community benefits for the hotel, the project will contribute $50,000 to the Parks and Recreation Department in support of improvements to the Granary Building Ground, as well as $25,000 to the Holocaust Legacy Foundation in support of the Foundation’s programming. Columbia Crossing project at 568-574 Columbia Road to build new affordable housing development in Dorchester Live: 48 income-restricted units, majority 2-3 bedrooms, artist housing will make up 20 percent of units  Work: Commercial, arts, and cultural space, shared resident work spaces, will support Strand Theater and Upham’s Corner Arts and Innovation District Connect: Close proximity to several MBTA bus routes, 48 bike parking spaces Sustain: 100 percent electric, net-zero ready Located in Upham’s Corner, this project at 568-574 Columbia Road in Dorchester, also known as Columbia Crossing, will build a six story addition onto what is now the Dorchester Savings Banks, to create a mixed-use, mixed-income, transit-oriented development project that will preserve and adaptively reuse the historic bank building. The majority of the units are two and three bedrooms, and 20 percent of the units will be allocated as artist housing in support of the planned Upham’s Corner Arts and Innovation District. The development will also include commercial space, as well as arts amenity space for residents. In support of carbon neutral goals, this project will create an energy efficient building that incorporates measures to reduce impacts on the environment, including a building envelope that minimizes the building’s energy needs and all electric mechanical systems. 9-19 Vaughan Street project to bring new housing to Dorchester Live: 45 residential units, 10 income-restricted units,  Work: $40,000 to fund local community organizations Connect: Ground floor space for community meetings, bike storage, close proximity to MBTA, subsidized tenant T passes, support rideshare and carpooling program Sustain: Green roof, LEED certified This project in Dorchester will build a new multi-family housing development made up of 45 units in multiple buildings on Vaughan Avenue. Ten units will be income-restricted. There will be 45 bike parking spaces for residents on site, as well as more for visitors. As part of the benefits to the community, this project will improve the public realm with new street trees, sidewalks, and safety improvements for bikers and pedestrians. This will be a transit-oriented development, as it is in close proximity to several MBTA routes, the project is committing to offering subsidized MBTA passes to residents, and also to support a ridesharing/carpooling program for residents. The project will also contribute $12,375 to support the City’s bikeshare program, and install a Bluebikes station on site. There will also be availability on the ground floor of the rear building for community meetings. In support of local community organizations, this project will contribute $40,000 to be disbursed to the Friends of Geneva Cliff Association, Holland Park Community Center, and the Haitian Multi-Service Community Center. Development at 66 Geneva Avenue to create new homeownership opportunities Live: 50 residential units, eight income-restricted units Work: Approximately 57 construction jobs Connect: New MBTA bus shelter, raised pedestrian crossings Sustain: Rooftop solar installation A new five-story residential building on Geneva Avenue in Roxbury will create 50 homeownership units, eight of which will be income-restricted. The building will be a mix of studios, one, two, and three bedroom units. This project responds to the goals of the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan (RSMP) of providing a wide range of housing opportunities by proposing 100 percent homeownership condos, with 16 percent of the units designated as income-restricted. It further advances the RSMP’s goals of promoting a diverse and sustainable economy by proactively hiring local, minority and women-owned businesses in the development of this project. As part of the community benefits for this project, it will contribute $50,000 to Boston Parks & Recreation in support of nearby parks and open space. This project will also support the bikeshare system with a contribution of $14,025 to the Boston Transportation Department. Public realm improvements will include a new bus shelter at bus stop #567, a new raised crosswalk across Geneva Avenue to improve pedestrian safety, and wider sidewalks around the project site. Project in Mission Hill will create new housing at 110-128R Terrace Street Live: 79 apartments, 14 income-restricted units, access to rooftop garden Work: Retail space, subsidized units for startups, Connect: Bluebikes station, close proximity to Roxbury Crossing MBTA station and several bus routes Sustain: LEED Gold, 100 percent renewable energy, all efficient electric Located in Mission Hill, this project will build a new six-story residential building with ground floor retail space. The building will be made up of 79 units, 14 of which will be income-restricted, and made up of micro studios, one, two, and three bedroom units. Onsite vehicle parking will include ten EV charging stations and the bike parking will include ten electric bike charging stations. Public realm improvements at this site will include the replacements of deteriorated sidewalks, wider sidewalks, and new street trees. This will be a transit-oriented development being in close proximity to the MBTA, and with the addition of a new Bluebikes station onsite. In addition, this project will contribute $49,000 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the City’s bikeshare system. There will also be a dedicated bike storage room in the building. In support of open space, the project will make a contribution of $79,000 to Boston Parks and Recreation. The project will also make a $127,537 contribution to the Boston Transportation Department to support the recommendations of the Terrace Street Study, which is currently underway. In addition to these projects, the Board approved: An update to a previously approved project at 104 Canal Street to increase the number of hotel rooms from 90 to 98, and reduce the size of the originally planned cafe. The fourth amendment to the Boston Children’s Hospital Institutional Master Plan, which removes a portion of the building at 819 Beacon Street, which is privately owned, from the Institutional Master Plan.