Mayor Walsh recommends 35 projects for inclusion in Community Preservation funding
Spring Pilot Program calls for projects that require less than $500,000 to begin construction by fall 2018
Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the city's Community Preservation Committee (CPC) today recommended 35 projects, totaling more than $8 million, for inclusion in the upcoming spring funding round for the Community Preservation Act (CPA). A hearing on the appropriation of funds for these projects will be held this evening, with an anticipated vote from the Boston City Council on Wednesday.
"The Community Preservation Act is a new tool that will help take our work on affordable housing, historic preservation and open space to the next level," said Mayor Walsh. "I am proud to recommend these important projects for funding approval, which represent a wide range of needs and will build strong neighborhoods throughout our city."
In March, Mayor Walsh announced that applications were available for a spring pilot program calling for applications for projects that require less than $500,000 to begin construction by this fall, bringing new investments in housing, parks and open space and preservation of historic sites to Boston's neighborhoods. This fall, Mayor Walsh will launch the next round of applications.
Organizations with affordable housing, historic preservation, and parks and open space proposals were eligible to apply for funding. The CPC is committed to a program that will have broad community participation, accessible and visible projects that have a positive impact on neighborhoods and residents, and oversight strategies to ensure timely, effective use of funds.
The following projects are being recommended for funding:
Historic Preservation:
|
Project |
Recommended Amount |
|---|---|
| Vilna Shul (Beacon Hill) | $500,000 |
| Sip & Spoke Comfort Station (Dorchester) | $365,000 |
| South End House (South End) | $46,260 |
| St. Augustine's Chapel & Cemetery (South Boston) | $307,000 |
| Church of the Covenant (Back Bay) | $430,000 |
| Eliot Church (Roxbury) | $100,000 |
| Roxbury Presbyterian Church (Roxbury) | $385,000 |
| First Church Roxbury (Roxbury) | $150,000 |
| Clap & Clapp Houses (Dorchester) | $51,200 |
| Old Josiah Quincy School (Chinatown) | $71,733 |
| Otis House (West End) | $43,552 |
| Emmanuel Church (Back Bay) | $306,700 |
| TOTAL | $2,756,445 |
Affordable Housing:
| Project | Recommended Amount |
|---|---|
| Talbot Commons (Dorchester) | $500,000 |
| Call-Carolina Homes (Jamaica Plain) | $500,000 |
| Arx Urban Development (Dorchester) | $500,000 |
| TOTAL | $1,500,000 |
Recreational Use and Open Space:
| Project | Recommended Amount |
|---|---|
| Otis School Playground (East Boston) | $456,000 |
| Higginson School Playground (Roxbury) | $500,000 |
| Belle Isle Marsh (East Boston) | $5,000 |
| Orchard Park (Roxbury) | $217,444 |
| Hemenway Playground (Dorchester) | $92,063 |
| Martin's Park (South Boston) | $500,000 |
| Healy Field Community Garden (Roslindale) | $175,000 |
| Veterans' Victory Garden (West Roxbury) | $10,000 |
| Talbot-Norfolk Triangle Children's Garden (Dorchester) | $30,000 |
| Spectacle Island (Harbor Islands) | $48,720 |
| McDonough Sailing Center (South Boston) | $78,783 |
| We Grow Microgreens Urban Farm (Hyde Park) | $134,700 |
| Delphine's Courtyard (Roxbury) | $200,000 |
| TOTAL | $2,447,710 |
Blended Historic Preservation/Recreational Use and Open Space:
| Project | Recommended Amount |
|---|---|
| Franklin Park Bears Frieze (Roxbury) | $49,500 |
| Westland Avenue Gateway (Fenway) | $200,000 |
| Roseway Schooner (Boston Harbor) | $250,000 |
| Olmsted Park (Jamaica Plain) | $352,000 |
| Copp's Hill Burial Ground (North End) | $104,400 |
| Mt. Hope Cemetery (Roslindale) | $5,000 |
| Evergreen Cemetery (Allston-Brighton) | $370,000 |
| TOTAL | $1,330,900 |
Aligning with Imagine Boston 2030 and the City's agencies and departments, Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds will contribute to building strong neighborhoods through strategic investments that support affordable housing, open space and historic preservation.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT (CPA)
By adopting the CPA in November 2016, the City has created a Community Preservation Fund. This fund is capitalized primarily by a one percent property tax-based surcharge on residential and business property tax bills that began in July 2017. The City will use this revenue to fund initiatives consistent with CPA guidelines: affordable housing, historic preservation, open space and public recreation.
As part of the City's plan to oversee the investments made through the adoption of the CPA, Mayor Walsh worked in partnership with the Boston City Council to form a Community Preservation Committee (CPC) that will study community preservation needs and make recommendations on how CPA funds should be allocated. The CPC is made up of nine members, five of whom are representative of the City's boards and commissions and four of whom are appointed by the City Council. The funding of any project requires a recommendation from the committee and appropriation by the City. For more information, visit our Community Preservation webpage.
