SANDWICH – Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito joined local legislators and town officials in Sandwich Thursday to announce $1.5 million in grant funding for a road construction project which will support an affordable housing development.
The MassWorks Infrastructure Program funding will extend George Fernandes Way to connect the 30-unit Terrapin Ridge development to an existing 12-unit Sandwich Housing Authority development.
“That will build the infrastructure and improve the roadway system to the project to allow you to now begin construction for 30 additional homes for residents who will soon be living there and be part of your community,” Polito said.
The 40B Terrapin Ridge project will be developed by the Women’s Institute for Housing and Economic Development on a ten-acre site owned by the Sandwich Housing Authority. The development will consist of eight town-house style residential buildings and a community building. Construction is expected to begin in 2020.
“This project is a testament to numerous layers of government and the private sector partnering and collaborating to achieve an outcome that truly serves the greater public good,” said Dave Sampson, the chair of the Sandwich Board of Selectmen.
State Representative Randy Hunt (R-Sandwich) said Cape Cod could use many more of these kinds of developments.
“But we are accelerating what we are doing on that,” Hunt said.
Hunt said the Baker-Polito Administration is 100 percent behind developing affordable housing in the region.
“Their money is where their mouth. They are not just doing the talk – they are walking the walk,” Hunt said. “And this is evidence of that.”
The state has issued about $275 million for 138 projects through the MassWorks program over the last few years.
Later in the day, Polito joined with Plymouth officials to announce a $1 million MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant for the reconstruction of Wareham Road.
The MassWorks funds will extend utilities and rebuild 4,500 linear feet along Wareham Road that services the Redbrook Master Planned Community in South Plymouth.
Wareham Road also connects to Routes 3 and 24 and the planned improvements will improve traffic flow and increase pedestrian safety.
“Our Administration is committed to investing in programs like MassWorks, which impact not only local infrastructure, but also play a critical role in strengthening businesses and the communities that surround them,” said Governor Charlie Baker.
“MassWorks is one of many administration initiatives that enable local communities to tap into private investment and accelerate local economic growth across the Commonwealth.”
“I am excited to be in Plymouth to award $1 million in MassWorks funding for Wareham Road and to support the town’s Master Plan for development,” said Polito. “The Governor and I are pleased to continue to make the investments in the public infrastructure our cities and towns need to create sustainable growth.”
“Through the flexibility of MassWorks, we have been able to drive over two million square feet of new commercial space, made possible by listening to individual communities’ needs and by responding with individualized programs that benefit many stakeholders, such as this project in Plymouth, which will enable an important mixed used development project and improve the flow of vehicle and pedestrian traffic,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash.
“Our office saw another competitive round of MassWorks for 2018 and we are happy to keep the momentum going across the Commonwealth in the year ahead.”
Redbrook sits on 1,400 acres, with development planned for 400 acres. The MassWorks improvements will initiate the next phase of the Redbrook project, unlocking $67.2 million in investment and adding 80 townhomes, 184 apartments and about 6,500 feet of medical office space. At least $500,000 will be committed by A.D. Makepeace, Redbrook’s master developer and also the world’s largest cranberry producer.
At full build out, Redbrook will include 1,150 homes, up to 90,000 square feet of commercial space and about 1,000 acres of open space and recreation lands. At present, the site includes 180 single-family homes, a full-service YMCA, and community space with a restaurant and gathering areas.
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