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With the 2015-2016 legislative session heating up, now is the time for Gateway City leaders to come together and talk through shared priorities. Next week we hope to stimulate this conversation with the release of a new report tracing the arc of state policy, starting in 2009, the beginning of our collaborative efforts, through the present. With this perspective, the report outlines remaining steps we must take to assemble the complete economic development toolset.

To draw attention to these unmet needs as the legislature grapples with many end-of-session priorities, we’ll be in Lowell on Monday to present this MassINC research to policy makers, alongside new research from the Pioneer Institute and the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

In another collaborative effort, together with the City of Worcester and the Worcester Municipal Research Bureau, we’ll be convening Gateway Cities leaders in Worcester on Wednesday for a conversation about the critical role housing policy plays in renewal. The event will feature insights from housing experts, exploring the role of affordable housing in creating economic opportunity, innovations in market-rate housing development, and the broader impact of housing policy on Gateway City regions. Please join us for this exciting forum. 

Over the next few months, we’re looking forward to more opportunities to collaborate with others to further the dialogue and draw greater attention to needs of Gateway Cities. We welcome your ideas and participation in these efforts. 

– Winthrop Roosevelt


 

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Housing & Economic Development

Worcester proposes a 20-year urban renewal project targeting 24 properties in an effort to revitalize a 118-acre section of the city.

The Worcester Business Development Corp. screens a six-minute video providing a tour of what Worcester may look like in 2020. 

The state gaming commission votes down the Brockton casino proposal 4 to 1.

Despite City Council opposition, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno is moving ahead with his plans to raze what some think are three historic buildings.

Secretary Ash promises initiatives will benefit the greater Lawrence region.

A forum focuses on ways to launch public-private development partnerships in Lynn, highlighting factors that make the city attractive to retail developers.

Brockton and MassDevelopment hire a TDI Fellow.

A Japanese automobile parts manufacturer expands a facility in Chicopee rather than move jobs to Mexico, keeping almost 350 people working in the region.

Top Baker Administration officials praise Lynn’s potential for resurgence and the progress made since declaring the city a priority last November.

The New York Times Magazine takes a not very useful look at what happened to Worcester. The T&G’s Diane Williamson responds.

Bruce Katz says public investments in cities offers the cure for short-termism. 

Next City looks at how cities can make good on the EB-5 program.

Education 

Springfield’s “Reading Success by 4th Grade” initiative receives national recognitionCopy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Getting to Know Gateway City Leaders (2)

Coaching for Change, an innovative program in Brockton and New Bedford, is recognized by CNN.

The state Senate’s ‘Millennial Engagement Initiative’ stops by Holyoke Community College for a meeting which yields concerns over the rising cost of education.

A Springfield Republican editorial praises the Senate’s charter school legislation as a reasonable compromise. 

New Bedford Public Schools formulates a plan to increase access to quality preschool programs for three-year-olds.

The EdNext podcasts looks at how much economic growth states could generate by improving their schools. 

Governance

US Sen. Elizabeth Warren promises to work hard to bring federal funds to Lawrence, as Mayor Daniel Rivera makes the rounds in Washington looking for aid for his city.

Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia privatizes the city’s trash pick-up after failing to reach a contract agreement with the sanitation workers union.

Mayor James Fiorentini said he is optimistic the new Toter program will save Haverhill $500,000 and increase the city’s recycling rate.

A Salem News editorial backs a proposal from Gov. Charlie Baker to give local municipalities control over the issuance of liquor licenses. 

Energy/Environment

As part of Earth Week, state Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton announced new additions to the state’s Greening the Gateway Cities program, with plans to plant 2,400 trees in both Quincy and Pittsfield.

A new skate park in Holyoke is an urban oasis.

Rep. Antonio Cabral of New Bedford says offshore wind is a better bet than hydroelectricity from Canada.

Attleboro‘s own “Emerald Necklace” is taking shape through a series of downtown revitalization projects.

New Bedford announces it has secured just over $5 million in state funds to build a second walkway atop the hurricane barrier on the waterfront. 

Transportation

Sen. Eric Lesser makes the case for high-speed train travel between Springfield and Boston, hoping for a one-way trip that takes 90 minutes.

The MBTA adds a nonstop train between Worcester and Boston, adds a stop to express trains during peak commuting hours, and eliminates a proposed midday train, according to the new schedule taking effect May 23. 

Springfield unveils a set of 46 wayfinding signs across downtown as an effort to encourage pedestrian traffic and improve public health. 

College campuses in Worcester have become proponents of bike share services, hoping the rest of the city will follow suit.

Governing reports on how Stephanie Pollack is a force for change. 

Public Safety

The state is moving to seal more quickly the criminal records of those eligible for such action, a step that advocates say is crucial to the ability of ex-offenders to land jobs and more licit pursuits.

Holyoke celebrates an entire year without a homicide in the city. 

Health/Healthcare

 The Eagle-Tribune examines the growth of sober homes in Gateway Cities.

Pittsfield and North Adams launch their second annual Mayor’s Fitness Challenge, in which the two cities face off in a friendly contest to determine which city has the healthier diet and exercise routines.

 

Partners HealthCare is mulling the closure of Salem Hospital’s cardiac surgery program and its consolidation with Massachusetts General Hospital.

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