A youth-focused facility going up in Columbia Point got caught in a City Hall crossfire this week.
The construction of the Dorchester Fieldhouse at 315 Mount Vernon St. is a joint development of two local nonprofits, the Martin Richard Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, that received sign-off from city planning officials earlier this year. The project includes indoor playing fields, classrooms, a teaching kitchen, a public cafe, an outdoor roof garden and seating, as well as parking for 45 vehicles.
The $55 million development has drawn support from a range of city officials, but at Wednesday’s City Council meeting, it became a political football as Dorchester Councillor Frank Baker, a critic of Mayor Michelle Wu, lit into her position that one-time nonprofit projects should not be included in a $350 million federal pandemic recovery package.
Earlier in June, Wu, who had already signaled support for the fieldhouse through local Community Preservation Act funds set aside for the project earlier this year, had a positive meeting with Bill Richard and Denise Richard, the Martin Richard Foundation’s leaders.
But at Wednesday’s session, Baker sought to add $5 million for the fieldhouse to a federal pandemic package by moving that same amount out of a housing line item.
Councillor Kenzie Bok, chair of the council’s Covid-19 recovery committee, which is shepherding the recovery funds package, said that while she supports the fieldhouse, she noted that the Wu administration views Baker’s amendment as “effectively a poison pill.” According to Bok, the pandemic package would be vetoed due to Wu’s previously stated position on funding nonprofit infrastructure through the $350 million package of federal money.
“I don’t understand ‘poison pill’ here,” Baker responded, adding, “I’ve been disrespected here through this thing.” Turning back to his $5 million amendment, Baker continued, “I don’t see us doing enough for our kids, for our teens, for people to get healthy after this pandemic. This is going to do that. There’s three housing developments right around it.”
Addressing Wu, who was not in the council chamber, Baker said loudly, “What are you waiting for, Mayor Wu? What are you waiting for? Veto it. I want to go put it over there and have her veto it. That’s what I want. Veto the $350 (million) because you’re too stuck up.”
Baker’s plan would take the $5 million from a pot designated for temporary housing related to the unsheltered population near the area known as “Mass and Cass,” or Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. The temporary low-threshold housing is “something the community doesn’t want,” Baker said.
Councillor Kendra Lara, who represents West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain, pushed back. “We’re in the middle of a housing crisis,” she said. “We need all of this money. Low-threshold housing is a proven, evidence-based practice.”
In an effort to lower the temperature in the chamber, Councillor At-Large Michael Flaherty acknowledged the “tension” over the Baker amendment, and, noting that the council meets again on July 13, said it could revisit the issue later.
But Baker insisted on a vote, and the amendment passed 8 to 5. The “yes” camp, aside from Baker and Flaherty, included Ricardo Arroyo, Tania Fernandes Anderson, Julia Mejia, Erin Murphy, and Brian Worrell. The “no” group included Bok and Lara, Liz Breadon, Gabriela Coletta, and Ruthzee Louijeune.
With the amendment added, the package was returned to Bok’s committee, where it awaits additional Council action. There are legal questions as to whether the whole pandemic package could be vetoed, or one item, such as the $5 million for the Field House, could be removed by the mayor.
Asked to respond to Baker’s push for his amendment and his remarks on the Council floor, Wu said in a statement Wednesday evening, “Our once-in-a-generation federal recovery funds should be used for public infrastructure with lasting impact rather than to supplement nonprofit capital campaigns that can access private fundraising. As we work to deliver for our young people, let’s also set an example for them of courageous and kind leadership.”
On Thursday, Bill Richard and Bob Scannell, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, issued their own statement, noting that the project benefits people across the city and they want to work with the mayor and city council on the project and adding:
“With a focus on the newly established K-12 Dever/McCormack campus on Harbor Point, this facility will be built with an eye toward the next generation of youth and families. If anything is to be accomplished, we must work collaboratively and respectfully to advance this project and the important work of our city,” they said. “We look forward to continuing to work with the mayor, city council, and the greater community to move this project forward.”
