Lincoln Street revitalization to include full reconstruction, public parking, other upgrades

Marlborough, MASS. November 1, 2019 – The City of Marlborough, today, received a $2 million MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant from the Baker-Polito Administration to support the Lincoln Street Revitalization Project—a long-term revitalization effort of the French Hill neighborhood.

The grant aims to unlock transformative redevelopment opportunities by providing the funding necessary to make infrastructure improvements and upgrades along Lincoln Street. The infrastructure improvement area spans 0.6 miles from Broad Street to the Assabet River Rail Trail and will include full reconstruction of Lincoln Street, replacement of three traffic signals, on-street public parking, streetscape improvements, and upgrades to the underground gas utilities.

The revitalization of Lincoln Street and the French Hill neighborhood has been one of the city’s top economic development priorities over the past six years. During that time, Marlborough has executed a strategic revitalization plan that included adoption of new mixed-use zoning to encourage development, targeted infrastructure investments, a community planning and parking study, acquisition of key sites, and the adoption of Chapter 43D expedited permitting procedures.

The 2014 rezoning of Downtown Marlborough, in particular, was the catalyst for the area’s successful revival, marked by an influx of new businesses into the area. The city now aims to broaden these revitalization efforts by expanding connections between the downtown business district and the French Hill neighborhood.

“We are very excited to be receiving a MassWorks award this year, particularly one that will help move forward our long-term Lincoln Street revitalization efforts,” said Mayor Arthur Vigeant. “I would like to thank the Baker-Polito Administration for their partnership on this project.  When local and state governments work together, everybody wins.”

“The French Hill neighborhood is a natural extension of the downtown area, and we look forward to expanding our revitalization efforts to include the Lincoln Street corridor,” said Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Executive Director, Meredith Harris. “This will truly round out our vision of the downtown area as a prime destination for residents and visitors alike.”

This year, the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) received 92 applications, requesting over $223 million. The team at EOHED worked together with its state agency partners to carefully evaluate each application and recommend the most shovel-ready and highest-impact projects for grant funding.

 

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About MEDC:
The Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is the state chartered economic development corporation for the City of Marlborough, MA and represents a public-private partnership for planning. MEDC works with municipal and private investors to foster economic development, job growth and community revitalization. For a complete overview of MEDC visit  MarlboroughEDC.com.

For press inquiries, contact: 
Lora Markova
press@marlboroughedc.com