As part of a $1.8 billion FY 14-18 capital plan announced on Friday, Mayor Thomas M. Menino designated $18.6 million for the expansion of the North End’s Eliot School. In addition, the plan includes $20.5 million for 585 Commercial Street, the building that will serve as a new downtown Boston K-8 public school starting in 2016.
Menino made the announcement at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown and highlighted a new park there as well as a focus on citywide recreation, educational and street infrastructure. City Councilor Sal LaMattina was also present for the announcement. The full press release is shown below.
Photos by Isabel Leon, City of Boston.
Mayor Menino Announces $1.8 Billion Capital Plan with
Focus on Investments in Neighborhoods
Five year Capital Plan to transform recreation, learning and city streets
Mayor Thomas M. Menino today joined city officials and community leaders at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown to highlight the City’s five year, $1.8 billion Capital Plan, which includes 341 projects across Boston and covers the building and maintenance of all the City’s infrastructure – including roads, buildings, key technology projects and inclusive play space for all residents to enjoy.
The City’s FY14-18 capital plan will create nearly 460 construction jobs in FY 2014 and aims to transform City neighborhoods, learning, recreation, and streets. Ninety parks improvement projects with an expected cost of $100 million account for more than a quarter of all capital projects. Today’s event was held overlooking the site of a new, citywide park for children and adults of all abilities, right next to the new Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in the Charlestown Navy Yard.
“Our city draws its strength from its neighborhoods, and this year’s capital plan will make our neighborhoods better for all of the families that live in our city,” Mayor Menino said. “The park here at Spaulding reflects my commitment to build a city that works for all of our people, not just some of our people.”
The City’s $1.8 billion five-year capital plan features $196 million worth of new project authorizations in 2014, including $100 million of investment in the City’s parks. Highlighted projects include:
Transforming recreation
• $1.6 million dedicated to a new park for children and adults of all abilities near Spaulding in Charlestown
• $6.5 million overhaul will begin of playing fields at West Roxbury High School Complex
• The Flaherty Pool in Roslindale will open this summer ($5.6M) and construction will begin on the Draper Pool in West Roxbury ($3.75M)
Transforming learning
• $15 million over three years will support Boston Public Schools’ new student assignment plan
• The building at 585 Commercial Street will serve downtown area families and children, starting in the fall of 2016 ($20.5M)
• $18.6 million will be used for the expansion of the Eliot School in the North End
• $16 million will be used for design and initial construction on a transformed Central Library in Copley Square, building new children’s and teen spaces, and opening up the Johnson Building to the street by replacing granite with glass
Transforming streets
• Across the city, nearly 500,000 square feet of sidewalk will be repaired; more than 1,500 pedestrian ramps will be brought up to compliance, and more than 20 miles of roadway will be resurfaced
• Improvements to Upham’s Corner ($4.2M) and Central Square ($6M) will begin construction in FY14
Transforming how the City does business
• $1 million will be set aside for Boston’s first-ever “youth budget,” using participatory budgeting methods gaining favor around the world
