State Senator Julian Cyr secured $53 million in funding for Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard’s important regional infrastructure projects on Thursday in the Senate Capital Bond Bill. Cyr presented capital funding proposals including $6.5 million to construct a new building for the Barnstable Regional Government and Cape Cod Commission, $1.6 million to fund improvements to the Hyannis National Guard Armory, $1.75 million to be used for improvements to the Dukes County Jail and House of Corrections, $2 million to extend the Cape Cod Rail Trail to Wellfleet Center and lengthen the Provincetown bike trail, and $150,000 to connect a municipal water main to a parcel on Highland Road in Truro. Senator Cyr also secured $41 million for the construction of a science building at Cape Cod Community College.
“These investments represent a variety of important infrastructure needs district-wide, including funding to help renovate existing buildings, build a new county owned office for the Cape Cod Commission, and address transportation and water infrastructure needs,” said state Senator Julian Cyr. “We worked hard to ensure there was geographic equity and fairness for the many pivotal needs of my district, and acquiring funding in the Senate Capital Bond Bill will help make these capital projects happen. My office will continue this success by working with each recipient to let the Baker Administration know how important these projects are to our region.”
“Our entire Cape and Islands legislative delegation has worked together with Cape Cod Community College President John Cox to secure $41 million in funding for a new science building,” said state Senator Julian Cyr. “This funding was included in the House Capital Bond Bill (passed in November 2017) and I am proud to also secure it in the Senate version. Special thanks to Rep. Dave Vieira, who helped spearhead this effort in his role as Ranking Member on the House Bonding Committee.”
Comments on the Senate Capital Bonding Bill from local officials:
“The County and the State Court System continue to be strained by limited office, public meeting room space and space allotted for the Court needs at the County Complex in Barnstable Village," said Leo Cakounes, Chairman of the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners.“The aging conditions of the Complex and ever expanding need of the Courts to provide an environment of safety while meeting the modern requirements to run a Court facility has made the issue of the County Complex a high priority of the Commissioners. I am grateful to Senator Cyr for securing $6.5 million in the Senate's Capital Bond Bill for a potential new County and Cape Cod Commission office building on land currently owned by the county within the town of Barnstable. This action begins the process of a complete review and plan related to keeping the State Court and County Government in historic Barnstable Village. Given the Cape Cod Commission is currently in a soon-to-expire leased office space, this potential state funding is extremely timely.We look forward to continue working with Senator Cyr, the entire Cape delegation, and the Baker administration on this matter and developing a future capital plan.”
"The Dukes County Jail, built originally in 1873 is in dire need of extensive renovations. This funding will be a game changer for us in providing the highest quality of custody, care to our charges, and safety to our Deputies,” said Robert Ogden, Sheriff of Dukes County. "I am grateful to Senator Cyr for securing $1.75 million in the Senate's Capital Bond Bill for potential renovations and improvements to the jail building.”
“The Town of Barnstable is grateful to Senator Cyr for securing $1.6 million in the Senate’s Capital Bond Bill for improvements to the Hyannis National Guard Armory,” said Barnstable Town Manager Mark Ells. “The Armory is a historic building in need of renovations and hazardous material removal to meet its full potential. This state support would go a long way to making the Armory building more usable for the community for years to come.”
"There has been extensive work done by dedicated volunteers, public servants, and Cape Cod Commission staff to develop a master plan to extend the Cape Cod Rail Trail from Wellfleet to Provincetown," said Dan Hoort, Wellfleet Town Administrator. "I am grateful to Senator Cyr for securing $2 million in the Senate's Capital Bond Bill for potential extensions of the Cape Cod Rail Trail which includes a connection from South Wellfleet to Wellfleet Center. This extension to our town center has long been discussed, and further progress on funding is a welcome development."
"Many have worked hard to make a continuous Cape Cod Rail Bike Trail from Bourne to Provincetown a reality. We are grateful for the advocacy and work of the Cape Cod Commission, town residents and Senator Cyr for their commitment to extend the trail from Wellfleet to Provincetown," said David Panagore, Provincetown Town Manager. "The $2 million Senator Cyr secured in the Senate's Capital Bond Bill for a potential extension of the bike path is a big step in the right direction.”
"Our town is thrilled to have the support of Senator Cyr, Representative Peake and the Baker administration to make future affordable housing possible at the North Truro Cloverleaf site," said Rae Ann Palmer, Truro Town Manager. "I am grateful to Senator Cyr for securing $150,000 in the Senate's Capital Bond Bill to fund a potential extension of the public drinking water line on Shore Road to the Cloverleaf site. This piece of infrastructure would allow the project to grow, adding more housing units to our current plan."
General background on the Senate Capital Bond Bill:
The Massachusetts Senate voted to authorize up to $3.65 billion in bonds for repairs and improvements of capital facilities across the Commonwealth on Thursday, February 8th. Spending authorizations in the bill include bonds for state university and community college campus improvements, public safety and security facilities and clean energy and efficiency programs.
“This bill invests in capital projects across the state, to ensure our state facilities are well-maintained and well-equipped to best serve our residents and communities,” said Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “These bonds are a strong step in our continued work with the Governor and the House to support projects in a range of areas, including health, safety and education, that are critical for our cities and towns.”
“The Senate’s support for these projects highlights the Legislature’s commitment to significant revitalization and economic development across the Commonwealth,” said Senate President Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester). “The maintenance and improvement of these projects is essential to maintain a high quality of life for our constituents.”
The bill authorizes the issuance of bonds for the improvement of capital facilities and for general government operations, including:
• $680 million for general state facility improvements;
• $675 million for trial court facility improvements;
• $500 million for public safety and security facilities;
• $475 million for state university and community college campus improvements;
• $475 million for the University of Massachusetts system campus improvements;
• $193.4 million for a municipal facility improvement grant program;
• $150 million for the Accelerated Energy and Resiliency program, which develops and implements energy and water savings projects statewide;
• $85 million for the Clean Energy Investment Program to improve the energy efficiency of state-owned facilities.
The bill also increases previous spending authorizations for University of Massachusetts, state universities and community colleges campus facilities.
In addition, the bill increases several project control and supervision, design and construction thresholds for the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, to keep pace with current costs of construction in Massachusetts.
The bill will now be reconciled with a version passed by the House of Representatives.