Chelsea appears to have mastered the art of securing the state’s highly competitive MassWorks grants.
This week’s announcement of the city’s fourth MassWorks award—a record $6 million—comes as previous grants continue their final stages and new development begins to materialize from the infrastructure work completed by the first two rounds of funding.
In development circles, a well-known principle holds true: investors avoid areas plagued by deteriorating sidewalks, impassable streets, and inadequate utilities.
Chelsea has systematically tackled these infrastructure challenges through its MassWorks grant awards.
According to City Planner John DePriest, “fblikebutton_button” “They are very competitive,” he noted. “Our story is compelling. These grants are tied to the production of housing or the creation of jobs. We’re routinely able to tie it to both.”
Last week’s announcement detailed how the latest $6 million will fund Phase 2 of Everett Avenue reconstruction, with particular emphasis on the northern side of the railroad tracks—an area notorious for severe potholes and road damage affecting daily commuters.
Everett Avenue, Carter Street, and Blossom Street comprise the project’s scope.
According to DePriest, “That will go out to bid in the coming weeks and we expect to get a start in June or July. We’ve already done the other side of the tracks and we’ll now do the northern side. That will also include streetscape work.”
Simultaneously, the third grant continues its work and remains scheduled for completion by mid-summer.
Visible near the railroad tracks on Spruce Street adjacent to MGH, the heavy equipment and traffic diversions mark the third grant’s presence. This Phase 2 project encompasses all of Beech Street and the corridor from Spruce to Everett Avenue.
Moving utilities beneath the railroad and enhancing the streetscape represent the primary components of this phase.
DePriest explained: “The big part of that one was to get all the utilities under the railroad on Spruce. That was very difficult technically to do and expensive. That was a $3 million grant. It should be done by July.”
The second grant functioned as Phase 1 of the third grant’s larger initiative.
Supporting the One North development, this $2 million investment targeted the Spruce, Maple, 6th, and Heard Street area, upgrading utilities, repairing roadways including the Rt. 1 North ramp, and implementing streetscape enhancements.
The initial MassWorks grant paralleled the Market Basket development approximately six years ago.
That $1 million award improved Everett Avenue south of the railroad and Arlington Street, with Market Basket contributing funding for design and landscaping elements.
Combined, these grants will channel approximately $12 million in state funding into the Everett Avenue redevelopment district and surrounding neighborhoods by the conclusion of next year’s construction season.
DePriest indicated the city will pursue additional funding for similar projects. While acknowledging temporary traffic disruptions like those currently on Spruce Street, he emphasized that such projects ultimately enhance the city’s appearance, improve traffic flow in congested zones, and establish essential infrastructure for significant development.