Capital Projects that are focused on geographical equity and balancing district needs are included in the Capital Bonding Bill headed to Governor Baker. 

(Boston, Mass.) - The $53 million in funding for Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard’s regional infrastructure projects, spearheaded by state Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro) and successfully adopted as part of the Senate Capital Bonding Bill, were preserved in the final capital bonding bill that emerged from a House/Senate conference committee.  The bill, known as An Act providing for capital facility repairs and improvements for the Commonwealth (H.4549), will now head to Governor Baker’s desk for signature.

Earlier this session, Cyr presented capital funding amendments 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.   

“I want to thank the conference committee members for preserving these important regional investments. We worked hard to ensure there was geographic equity and fairness for the many pivotal needs of my district,” said state Senator Cyr. “Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard will receive critical funding needed to invest in infrastructure projects that will help with tourism, public safety, economic development and education. It’s a good result for our region and my office will continue this success by working with each recipient to make sure their funding is received in a timely manner.” 

“Our entire Cape and Islands legislative delegation, led by state Representative Dave Vieira (R-Falmouth) in the House, worked together with Cape Cod Community College President John Cox to secure $41 million in funding for a new science building and critical infrastructure upgrades,” said Cyr. “This investment will benefit the students, faculty and the extended community that uses Cape Cod Community College.”   

$53 million in capital bonding projects sponsored by Senator Cyr:

$1,750,000 for maintenance and improvements to the jail and house of corrections in the county of Dukes County.

• Dukes County Sheriff Robert Ogden said the money would be used to bring the Edgartownfacility, built in 1873, into compliance in key areas, including fire safety. Ogden said the jail doesn’t have proper fire alarms or sprinkler systems in place, nor does it have an exit available in the back of the building, he said. The building’s heating and ventilation system also need upgrades.

$1,600,000 for improvements to the Hyannis National Guard armory in the City known as the Town of Barnstable including, but not limited to, preliminary and final design of expected improvements, hazardous material removal and construction.

• The Armory is a historical landmark in Hyannis and in need of significant capital improvements.  Approximately $2.5M in repairs are required to safely occupy or lease to others.

$150,000 to the town of Truro to connect a municipal water main to a parcel on Highland Road and to improve pedestrian infrastructure.

• To make improvements to Highland Road cloverleafin Truro. This will allow the future housing development at this site to secure municipal water (via Provincetown’s water supply), which would increase the number of units that could be built on the land recently acquired by the town from the Commonwealth. The funding would also be used to make improvements to pedestrian infrastructure in North Truro Center.

$6,500,000 shall be expended to construct a new building in the City known as the Town of Barnstable to be used as office space and headquarters for the County of Barnstable Regional Government and the Cape Cod Commission.

• Barnstable County is one of the few strong county governments still in operation in the Commonwealth, providing a wide array of critical services to the 15 towns on Cape Cod. The $6.5 million would be used to construct a new building in the Town of Barnstable on land owned by the county to be used as office space for the Barnstable County Regional Government and the Cape Cod Commission.
• As it currently stands, the County offices and the Cape Cod Commission are located in Barnstable Village. A good portion of the county offices are crammed into court buildings and the Cape Cod Commission offices are in expensive leased space. The intent of this amendment is for the state to pitch in a portion of the cost for the County and Cape Cod Commission to build a new office building on currently vacant land that the county owns on route 132 in Barnstable.

$2,000,000 for the Wellfleet Center segment and the Beach Point segment of the Cape Cod Rail Trail Bike Trail.

• The Cape Cod Rail Trail is used by thousands each year and viewed as a top Cape attraction.

$41,000,000 for a new science building and renovation to the existing Science Center, and modernization and renovation of existing facilities at Cape Cod Community College

Other Amendments in H.4549 from the Cape and Islands Delegation (in addition to the $53 million secured by Senator Cyr):

• $19,000,000 shall be expended for holding doors, security doors, cell doors, duress alarms, cameras or sally ports at [several municipal and district courts, including] the second district court of Barnstable, held at Orleans.
• $1,000,000 for the Barnstable district, juvenile, superior and probate and family courts.
• $614,280 to provide access under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 at the Falmouth district court.
• $385,720 to provide program access under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 at the Orleans district court.

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