SALEM — The City of Salem has been awarded $3.3 million in MassWorks Infrastructure Program grants, which will fund traffic-calming measures and pedestrian-safety improvements in the Point neighborhood and support the design of a bike and pedestrian path.
The funding was announced Monday by the Baker-Polito administration at Charlotte Forten Park on Derby Street. Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy were joined by Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, state Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem), and state Rep. Paul Tucker (D-Salem) for the announcement.
“This substantial grant will allow us to carry out major roadway and pedestrian improvements to a critical network of streets and intersections both in the Point and at the connection between North Salem, the MBTA, and downtown,” said Driscoll. “Importantly, these grants, which will fund upgrades that all our residents will benefit from, are made possible because of private projects, by the North Shore CDC and Winn, in these neighborhoods. We are intentional and thoughtful about growth, and by leveraging these private projects, we’re able to advance public infrastructure projects that benefit all residents”
The first award is a $3.25 million grant to fund traffic-calming measures and pedestrian-safety enhancements through a series of curb extensions, rehabilitation of sidewalks, and intersection modifications along Peabody, Harbor, and Congress streets in Salem’s Point neighborhood, according to Baker’s office.
With an additional $110,000 contribution from the City of Salem, this initiative will support two new developments, The Lighthouses and Harbor Point apartments. The Lighthouses, an affordable-housing project, will occupy two locations along Peabody Street and Leavitt Street with 46 units, according to Baker’s office.
The Harbor Point Apartments will rehabilitate and convert two historic masonry buildings into 34 units. Together, they will generate more than $25 million in private investments and create 83 new housing units, Baker’s office said.
The second MassWorks award is a $45,000 grant that will support the design of the North Street Connector Path, to enhance access for pedestrians and cyclists between North Salem and the Downtown and Federal Street neighborhoods, according to Baker’s office.
These new connections will also help support new private development in the area by improving access to transit and downtown Salem job opportunities.
Salem’s awards are a part of this year’s MassWorks Infrastructure Program grants, which were announced in full last week. This year, the Baker-Polito administration is awarding 56 grants through the infrastructure program, making this the largest number of awards in a single year within the past six years. The program totals $466.5 million in funds to 50 communities, Baker’s office said.
The MassWorks awards were made possible through the Community One Stop Growth platform, which is a single application portal and collaborative-review process of grant programs that launched in January 2021.
“MassWorks and the programs accessed through One-Stop support important local infrastructure projects that are critical for spurring housing, workforce development, and private investment,” said Baker. “We appreciate the partnership with the Legislature and local leaders to make these investments possible and look forward to our continued collaboration.”
“Congratulations to Salem for taking advantage of the One Stop program, which resulted in two grants for key upgrades that support tens of millions of dollars in private investment,” added Polito. “In just its first year, the One Stop program has made it possible for communities to access multiple funding programs at once; that puts the economic and community-development goals for more cities and towns within reach.”
Including this year’s round, the Baker-Polito administration has awarded 326 MassWorks grants to 181 communities and has invested more than $608 million in public infrastructure projects throughout the commonwealth.
