Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates Downtown Provincetown Reconstruction
MassWorks award supported reconstruction of Commercial Street in downtown Provincetown
Provincetown – June 13, 2017 –- (RealEstateRama) — Secretary Jay Ash joined Senator Julian Cyr, Representative Sarah Peake and Town Manager David Panagore to celebrate the ribbon cutting at Commercial Street in in Provincetown. In 2015, Provincetown received a $1.96 million award from the MassWorks program to complete a three-phase street reconstruction and storm-water mitigation plan.
Improvements to the downtown area will provide better access to transportation and enhance pedestrian accessibility in the heart of Provincetown’s vibrant downtown, which features restaurants, art galleries and boutiques as a world-famous tourist destination. The infrastructure project reconstructed Commercial Street with porous pavement to mitigate storm-water. The town leveraged over $5 million in additional federal and state funding in support of the first two phases of the project.
“MassWorks grants provide municipalities with access to important funds for improving local infrastructure and community-based economic development efforts, and the support for Provincetown through this program will help keep their historic downtown a vibrant hub for year-round residents, tourists, and local businesses,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Investments in downtowns across Massachusetts help ensure our communities continue to grow and have the underlying infrastructure to match their needs.”
“Our 78 coastal communities require careful environmental planning and this enhancement of Commercial Street’s storm-water management is a crucial, forward-looking investment by the Commonwealth and Provincetown,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Chair of the Seaport Economic Council. “We are thrilled to partner with communities on projects that capitalize on their assets and strengthen their long-term position.”
“Every day, we look for opportunities to collaborate with our partners on the municipal level, and through MassWorks we endeavor to support projects that will make a significant impact on a community,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “Today we’re celebrating the completion of a project that strengthens Provincetown and prepares its downtown for future growth, and ensures visitors for many years will be able to access this energetic and unique town.”
“I am delighted that Provincetown has been awarded a MassWorks grant to assist in the reconstruction and revitalization of Commercial Street,” said Senator Julian Cyr. “This funding will go a long way to help improve traffic flow and storm water drainage, while also enhancing the experience of all who relish in Provincetown’s vibrant and eclectic main thoroughfare.”
“The funding Provincetown is receiving through the MassWorks program will improve all aspects of our community and surely create a positive impact for residents and tourists alike,” said Representative Sarah Peake.
“Through our partnership with the State and the Massworks grant, we’ve been able to greatly enhance our Commercial Street business district and protect our harbor and improve water quality,” said Town Manager David Panagore. “This porous paving project has literally given us two more weeks of beach days, because we don’t have to close town beaches due to rainwater contamination from street run-off.”
The MassWorks Infrastructure Program provides public infrastructure funding to shovel-ready projects that generate new private investment in housing production and job creation. Since its inception in 2011, the MassWorks Program has invested over $418 million through competitive grant rounds, in 215 projects throughout the Commonwealth. The 2016 competitive grant round awarded $85 million to 34 projects in 33 communities.
In August 2016, Governor Baker signed An Act Relative to Job Creation and Workforce Development (H.4569) to reauthorize MassWorks and support $500 million of future investment in critical infrastructure, a significant commitment by the Commonwealth. The Baker-Polito Administration has increased MassWorks funding by $35 million over the past two fiscal years, investing $168 million for 82 projects across 69 communities.
Media Contact
Michelle Hillman (HED) – michelle.m.hillman (at) state.ma (dot) us
Samantha Kaufman (HED) – samantha.kaufman (at) state.ma (dot) us
