Acton to get $250K for MCI reuse planning
Leaders are considering a mix of housing, commercial development, open space, and other uses at the prison campus.
As the leaves turn yellow and red around the shuttered MCI-Acton campus, some leaders are seeing green thanks to a state earmark.
Gov. Maura Healey released $250,000 for the prison reuse planning within a larger tranche of spending on October 20.
“We’re doing well,” state Sen. Michael Barrett (D-Lexington) told The Acton Bridge, pointing to previous state spending for the prison’s future.
Healey approved the state budget in July but delayed earmarks amid questions about federal funding cuts and the overall economy.
In a letter to legislators, Matthew Murphy of Healey’s Executive Office for Administration and Finance said questions linger. But officials received some reassurances in recent weeks and released earmarks.
Acton had already gotten $725,000 from the state for prison planning. Town Meeting approved another $250,000 in local money this summer.
Officials spent money on a “vision plan” with a consultant. Select Board Chair and MCI-Acton Advisory Board member Mark Howell said leaders think more work is needed to finalize new zoning.
He said officials might fund this with the Town Meeting allocation; Acton could reimburse itself once the state earmark arrives in municipal coffers, which could take months.
Leaders are considering a mix of housing, commercial development, open space, and other uses at the prison campus.
Many want the state to chip in for an estimated $25 million in upgrades to a prison wastewater treatment plan.
Barrett said, “You’d never get 100%.”
“I do expect that the state will help,” he continued in a sit-down with The Bridge.
State Rep. Simon Cataldo (D-Acton) and Rep. Carmine Gentile (D-Sudbury) hailed the new earmark in July when Healey tentatively approved it. Cataldo said he’ll keep pushing for funding on Beacon Hill. Gentile separately praised the governor for supporting redevelopment.
Town leaders view zoning as a major way to influence what gets built on the prison campus. As of late October, Howell wasn’t sure when officials might bring rezoning to Town Meeting, but he said a special session could be on the table next year.
“Everybody would like to see this solved,” he told The Bridge.
