Governor Deval Patrick
In what may be his last visit to Amherst as Governor, Deval Patrick spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of 150 gathered at Kendrick Park, representing a cross section of business, education and political leadership in our little college town.
And since he was announcing a state $1.5 million infrastructure improvement grant for the north end of town center, immediately across the street from where he was speaking, the crowd only got more enthusiastic. The money will fund relocating ugly utility lines underground.
Town Mgr Musante, Governor Patrick, Stan Rosenberg
In his speech future president of the Mass Senate and forever resident of the town, Stan Rosenberg called Deval Patrick, "The best governor for public higher education in more than forty years. Absolutely ... no question about that!"
Kendrick Place will benefit by the $1.5 million state grant, aesthetically speaking
Good reporting!
ReplyDeleteThanks. This one was easy.
ReplyDeleteAnd after sitting in District Court all morning, a lot more fun.
What's with the Stop signs (covered with trash bags) near Emily's home?
ReplyDeleteLooks like new lights are going in- The old ones seem to be working fine during the switchover
The old ones were dying intermittently.
ReplyDeleteLet me get this straight. The state is spending 1.5 million dollars of taxpayers money to bury power lines in front of a private development. Will this spur economic development in downtown Amherst?
ReplyDelete"Will this spur economic development in downtown Amherst?"
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Nothing will spur economic development in downtown Amherst. The townies won't allow it.
Perhaps the removal of unsightly powerlines will attract tenant businesses who otherwise would not consider the location...
ReplyDeleteWhy don't we all chip in and pay for some nice landscaping for the new development?
ReplyDeleteIf buried, power lines are not taken down by drunken drivers.
ReplyDeleteI get burying the power lines. I just don't get why the taxes from some hard working person in Athol, Orange, Gardner, etc. should go to pay for it.
ReplyDeleteThis is great news. Burying power lines is another piece of the puzzle for improving the look, feel, and profitability of a currently run-down downtown area, and gateway between the town and UMass. Thanks, Larry for the aerial photo of the area.
ReplyDeleteI believe the new economic development taking place downtown was directly responsible for state grant eligibility. When the town sought a similar grant for Pine Street, it was denied in large part because there was no new development taking place in North Amherst. Boo, Nimbys.
But all the new development recently shows (i) that the Nimbys can't keep winning when the facts are against them, and (ii) that we don't need more CPA money in the town coffers. Vote NO!
Yeah, Mr. Mooring just confirmed for me that Pine Street when all is said and done will cost $4 million.
ReplyDeleteWhich is exactly the amount we applied for with MassWorks Grant program a couple years ago, and were denied because of a lack of development in the boonies, err, I mean, North Amherst.
Did he say when Pine Street would be done, by any chance?
ReplyDeleteToo bad you all don't see the political reality of this. None of the projects in this are about anything but political favoritism. Connected people or those who the Gov owed a favor got their favor.
ReplyDeleteTake "downtown" Hatfield (pop. 1380). Not exactly a hotbed for bikes,pedestrians, or vehicular traffic. What did they get?
Hatfield - $360,000 to the Main Street Transportation Safety Improvements project. The project includes sidewalk replacements, new pedestrian crossings and bicycle lane markings along Main Street through the town center. The improvements will enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety, while improving traffic flow.