Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates Ribbon Cutting at The Heights Amesbury Housing Development

Amesbury, MA – June 16, 2017 –- (RealEstateRama) — Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito joined local officials in Amesbury to celebrate the ribbon cutting at The Heights Amesbury, a new, mixed-income 240-unit housing development. The project is supported by a 2015 MassWorks Infrastructure Program award of $1.1 million for safety improvements along Route 150. Enhancements include signal upgrades, intersection modifications and new sidewalks to improve walkability and access.

“The MassWorks Infrastructure Program allows us to work with municipalities on locally-driven improvements to infrastructure that will best benefit community and economic development,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “MassWorks funding provides flexibility to cities and towns to revitalize local neighborhoods, create new job opportunities for residents and create long-term growth in our communities.”

“Our administration is committed to being a reliable partner to our municipalities, providing resources as our communities consider the best path toward sustainable neighborhoods and economic growth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are working to build a toolbox that cities and towns can access through programs like MassWorks, and we continue to look for ways we can be a better partner for our municipal leaders.”

The Heights Amesbury is part of the city’s 40R Smart Growth District, which contains a total of 52 acres. Smart Growth Districts encourages communities to create dense residential, or mixed-use smart growth zoning districts, with an emphasis on increasing affordable housing opportunities. The Heights Amesbury includes 60 affordable units, and provides increased foot traffic in Amesbury’s downtown.

“Infrastructure is a significant challenge facing our cities and towns as they work to attract private investment, and the MassWorks programs provides these crucial resources,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “This targeted investment in Amesbury is bringing a new, mixed-income housing development to the area, something our workforce needs across the Commonwealth.”

“Families across the Commonwealth are searching for more housing options to match their needs, and we are eager to work with our cities and towns to create those opportunities,” said Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay. “I congratulate Amesbury’s work on creating this smart growth district, expanding their downtown’s reach and bringing much needed housing to the region.”

“Investments such as this are a catalyst for continued growth and success in our community,” said Rep. James Kelcourse. “We are excited to work with the administration to continue investing in improvements for Amesbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury.”

“We are grateful for the Baker-Polito Administration’s willingness to invest in needed infrastructure projects like this one through the MassWorks grant program,” said Amesbury Mayor Ken Gray. “A project like The Heights Amesbury will likely lead to a large influx of new residents. We thank the developer for recognizing that and stepping up to assist the City with these infrastructure improvements.”

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

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