Mayor Walsh announced proposed investments in Dorchester

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh presented his proposed Fiscal Year 2019 – 2023 Capital Plan alongside City Councilor Kim Janey and City Officials at Franklin Park.

The $2.4 Billion budget plan aims to make “critical” investments in the city’s infrastructure in every Boston neighborhood, at the schools, streets, arts, and climate change readiness.

During his presentation, Mayor Walsh highlighted that one of his goals is to “make sure that all our schools are fit for the 21st century.”

“Is 2018 and our kids are learning in our schools that were build before World War II,” said Walsh.

Walsh also focused on “make sure that people have economic mobility.”

“For 2014 we were the number one inequality city in the USA (…) we made investments and worked with the community, we are now the number 7, but we want to go down that list, be on the bottom of that list. We have to do that by making sure that the middle class succeeds in every neighborhood,” Walsh stated.

For Dorchester, the biggest neighborhood in Boston, the Mayor’s office proposed the following investments:

Shared Spaces

• $18.30 million multi-year investment in the design and construction of a new branch library at Adams Street
• $17.98 million multi-year investment in the development of a new branch library at Upham’s Corner
• A $12.10 million multi-year investment to conduct a facility assessment, develop a building program, and support the construction of a new facility for the Fields Corner Branch Library that reflects the BPL’s Compass Principles and supports the needs of the community
• $94,000 investment to complete an interior reconfiguration project at the Lower Mills Branch library
• A $3.39 million investment in the Strand Theather to install an accessible elevator and improve fire protection

Transportation infrastructure

• A $1.5 million investment to conduct roadway, sidewalk, and lighting improvements on New England Avenue from Talbot Avenue to Norfolk Street, with $400,000 allocated in 2019.

Equitable and accessible open spaces and parks

• A $1.15 million multi-year investment in Downer Avenue Park for an overall park and play lot refurbishment, with $600,000 allocated in 2019.
• $3.79 million multi-year comprehensive renovations of McConnell Playground, including improvements to the play lot, three fields, and parking lot
• $2.05 million investment in 2019 for the continued renovation of Harambee Park, including a new playground, pathway and lighting improvements, and improved irrigation and drainage
• $5 million investment for renovations at Garvey Playground, including new play equipment, field improvements, lighting, pathways and court upgrades

Educational Spaces

• $4.08 million to complete accessibility renovations at Henderson Inclusion Upper School, including bathroom and fire system upgrades
• $1.35 million investment to replace windows at Henderson Inclusion Lower School

For more information about the city budget, the Dorchester Post invites you to visit https://budget.boston.gov/