‘Remarkable’ plans needed for a boost in state funding for MCI-Acton

In public and behind closed doors, town officials are strategizing how to get state help in redeveloping the MCI-Acton prison property.

Many conversations center on the lockup’s old wastewater treatment plant, which local leaders view as a possible silver bullet for pesky sewer capacity problems. 

State Sen. Michael Barrett, whose district includes Acton, said Beacon Hill will open its checkbook — if the town gets creative. 

“If you want to pitch for more state help, you want to have a blueprint that would make that parcel something remarkable,” he told The Acton Bridge during a recent interview. “You want it to be a model for the creation of an entirely new neighborhood.”

Barrett said Acton should learn from Devens, where he said neighboring communities slowed Army base redevelopment with concerns about overloaded schools.

Some in Acton have raised similar fears about schools. Barrett said the town shouldn’t “play defense.” 

In Waltham, he spotlighted the city-owned former Fernald State School. Redevelopment stalled over the past decade. Crews have responded to several recent fires. 

“It’s been the source of scandal instead of pride,” Barrett said.

Barrett, Gov. Maura Healey, and others have called for significant housing at MCI-Acton.

The state has already chipped in hundreds of thousands of dollars for prison reuse planning. Beyond the wastewater plant — which needs repairs — it’s also involved in discussions on redesigning the Route 2 rotary.

Officials ultimately expect to hand much of the prison site to a developer, but the town will shape what happens next through zoning. Acton could directly acquire the wastewater plant.

Affordable Housing Trust Chair Keith Bergman spoke with The Bridge at the Town House this fall while town brass held closed-door talks with state officials. He said he has “high hopes” for negotiations.

And Select Board Chair Mark Howell said this month that he’s proud of a “collaborative process” with the state. 

Acton, he said, is “doing a lot of the right things.” 

Celeste Katz Marston and Trace Salzbrenner contributed reporting.