15 February, 2018
BOSTON – The Massachusetts Senate today voted to authorize up to $3.65 billion in bonds for repairs and improvements of capital facilities across the Commonwealth. Spending authorizations in the bill include bonds for state university and community college campus improvements, public safety and security facilities and clean energy and efficiency programs. The bill also authorizes funding for several capital projects across the MetroWest region, including the development of a new regional justice center in Framingham.
“This bill invests in capital projects across the state, to ensure our state facilities are well-maintained and well-equipped to best serve our residents and communities,” said Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “These bonds are a strong step in our continued work with the Governor and the House to support projects in a range of areas, including health, safety and education, that are critical for our cities and towns.”
The bill authorizes $20 million in bonds for renovations to the existing Framingham district court and a feasibility study, design and construction of a new regional justice center in Framingham, improving access to justice for MetroWest residents.
The bill also authorizes $59 million for a new academic facility for the Massachusetts Bay Community College Allied Health program, keeping MassBay in Framingham.
Other bond authorizations for MetroWest projects include:
· $25 million for the acquisition of land and construction of a new public safety building in Ashland;
· $6 million for improvements to the Whittemore Library at Framingham State University;
· $3.3 million for renovations to Crocker Hall at Framingham State University;
· $2 million for improvements to Hopkinton Town Hall;
· $50,000 for accessibility projects at public facilities in Holliston
Statewide, the bill authorizes the issuance of bonds for the improvement of capital facilities and for general government operations, including:
· $680 million for general state facility improvements;
· $675 million for trial court facility improvements;
· $500 million for public safety and security facilities;
· $475 million for state university and community college campus improvements;
· $475 million for the University of Massachusetts system campus improvements;
· $193.4 million for a municipal facility improvement grant program;
· $150 million for the Accelerated Energy and Resiliency program, which develops and implements energy and water savings projects statewide;
· $85 million for the Clean Energy Investment Program to improve the energy efficiency of state-owned facilities.
The bill also increases previous spending authorizations for University of Massachusetts, state universities and community colleges campus facilities.
In addition, the bill increases several project control and supervision, design and construction thresholds for the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, to keep pace with current costs of construction in Massachusetts.
The bill will now be reconciled with a version passed by the House of Representatives.
