Dot’s libraries, parks, schools get boosts in mayor’s budget

Patricia Lyons, head of the city's Public Facilities Department, is shown outside the Adams Street branch of the BPL, which will see extensive renovations. Jennifer Smith photo

In his $3.29 billion FY2019 budget proposal — up 4.3 percent over last year — Mayor Martin Walsh says he plans to sink investments into bolstering city services, notably, among other items, an $80 million allocation toward repairing the Long Island Bridge before construction of a new recovery campus on the shuttered island.

Revenue expectations for the budget are again heavily reliant upon property taxes, which account for 70 percent of all municipal revenue at a time when state aid is only up 4 percent. The mayor noted that mandated commitments from the state on charter schools remain an albatross on the city budget.

“Twenty-seven million of our money, the city’s money, is going to offsetting underfunding what the charter school line item is,” Walsh said at a City Council breakfast announcing the budget last week. “I can’t stress to you how important this is.”

The capital plan for 2019-2023 highlights ongoing major ticket items set for libraries and parks across the neighborhoods. Dorchester is in line for three continuing multi-million-dollar library investments.

A new branch library on Adams Street got a boost this year, an $18.3 million multi-year investment for design and construction. A meeting to discuss plans for the Adams Street facility will be held on Tuesday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the library branch.

Another $12.1 million is still allotted to conduct a facility assessment, develop a building program, and support the construction of a new facility for the Fields Corner Branch Library.

Uphams Corner is in the midst of planning for significant city investments. A new Uphams Corner library branch on a prominent Columbia Road site, discussed at length in meetings surrounding the ongoing village reinvention as an arts district, is budgeted for $18 million. On the same block, the Strand Theatre is undergoing $3.39 million in interior improvements, with workers installing an accessible elevator and improving fire protection on the site.

And a $94,000 interior reconfiguration project at the Lower Mills Branch Library is under way.

In line with the city master plan Imagine Boston 2030’s open space goals, the start of $5 million in pathway renovations and canopy care at Franklin Park is also under way. Walsh reaffirmed his pledge of last year to funnel $28 million from the Winthrop Square garage sale to renovate the city’s largest park.

Other multi-year park investments are again included in the budget: a $3.79 million renovation of McConnell Playground, a $1.15 million multi-year investment in Downer Avenue Park, a $2.05 million continued renovation of Harambee Park, and a $5 million investment for renovations at Garvey Playground.

Walsh also touted a $48 million jump in funding for the Boston Public Schools this year, bringing the department budget to $1.1 billion. The Henderson Inclusion schools would both receive investments — $4.08 million to complete accessibility renovations at the Upper School, and $1.35 million to replace windows at the Lower School.

Twenty-five schools in East Boston, Mattapan, and Roxbury will get kitchen upgrades before a fresh food program is launched in the fall. Among the schools receiving upgrades: the Young Achievers Science & Math, Ellison Parks School, Mildred Avenue School, and Charles H. Taylor School.
In Mattapan, Walsh’s office highlights a $4 million investment for improvements to Cummins Highway from River Street to Harvard Street that will include road reconstruction, new pedestrian ramps, enhanced bike access, new tree plantings, and improved lighting.

Two local Boston Centers for Youth & Families items introduced in the Fiscal Year 2018 budget are included in this year’s plan. The Gallivan Community Center is slated for $2.96 million in improvements — including replacing the roof and gym floor, providing air conditioning in the gymnasium, upgrading the fire alarm system and emergency lighting, and upgrading power outlets and lighting — and the Mattahunt Community Center would see a $1.9 million investment for an interior refurbishment of the lobby, gymnasium, community room, and computer lab.

Public health and safety services across Boston would receive boosts in funding and staff. The Boston Police Department will have more than 2,210 police positions — the highest in a decade — after 30 are added in this year’s budget. Health and Human Services will see 20 new EMTs, bringing the total uniformed force to nearly 400 citywide.

While police body camera implementation specifics await a Northeastern University analysis, which is expected to be to be completed in June, Walsh announced last week that $2 million has been budgeted toward a phase-in of cameras.

The Fire Department’s single largest budget item, a new Engine 17 on Meetinghouse Hill, is now slated for $24.7 million in total, with $2.9 million allocated for FY 2019.

On the housing front, the Department of Neighborhood Development’s down payment assistance program — allowing middle-class families to access zero-interest loans to cover down payments — has been doubled in the proposed budget to $1 million. The Office of Housing Stability is also in line for investments in financial assistance for low and moderate income household, expanded legal and stabilization services, emergency housing assistance, and additional staff.


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