How the State's $13M Grant Will Be Used to Improve Union Square

SOMERVILLE, MA – Gov. Charlie Baker announced earlier this month that Somerville would be awarded $13 million in MassWorks funding to improve the water and sewer infrastructure in Union Square.

On Monday, the Baker-Polito administration wrapped up its MassWorks Infrastructure Program awards, funding $85 million in projects across 33 communities. These include the development of more than 2,200 multi-family housing units, which will generate $1 million in new private investment, Baker's office said.

"MassWorks infrastructure funding is a powerful, flexible tool that helps communities deliver on their economic development priorities," Gov. Baker said in a statement. "By forging strong partnerships between the state, local communities, and the private sector, these MassWorks infrastructure investments will grow the economy, unlock new job growth, and strengthen cities and towns across Massachusetts."

MassWorks provides public infrastructure funding to shovel-ready projects that encourage new private investment in housing production and job creation. Since 2011, it has invested more than $419 million in 215 projects throughout Massachusetts.

Somerville's multi-year grant will help fund water and sewer infrastructure redevelopment in Union Square, with the city providing $25.7 million in local funding. The public funding of the project frees up $200 million in private funds from Union Square Station Associates, to be invested in establishing 400 new units of mixed-income housing and 180,000 square feet of new commercial space.

This is part of the construction of a 700,000-square-foot development, which is expected to begin next fall as phase one of a $1 billion, 2.3 million-square-foot overhaul of Union Square.

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