Governor names former air base a 'growth district'
WEYMOUTH - Governor Deval Patrick last week declared the former Weymouth Naval Air Station - the future home of the large SouthField commercial and residential development - an official "growth district."
The designation, which brings fast-track permitting with it, comes as the state has already agreed to finance the $42.5 million construction of a main roadway through SouthField. The East/West Parkway will stretch from the South Weymouth commuter rail stop to the edges of the project into Rockland, connecting traffic to Route 3 and alleviating congestion on Route 18.
The state's partnership is considered a key component to expediting the completion of SouthField. Supporters say the project will create 660 jobs and spur economic development for the region.
"Growth districts are hubs of economic growth and housing development across the Commonwealth," Patrick said. "By identifying districts . . . and focusing our collective resources on making each one development ready, we are creating the conditions for business growth and community revitalization for years to come."
The governor has identified 16 so-called growth districts across the state as part of his economic plan to centralize investment and spur regional development - but only four of the 16 have been publicly identified so far.
Worcester, Haverhill, and Chicopee are on the list, along with the newly added former air base in Weymouth.
Each project has its own needs. In Chicopee, for instance, state officials will help market an industrial park that has already been developed. In Weymouth, the state Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development will focus resources on preparing the site and identifying infrastructure needs.
A local quasi-government agency charged with overseeing the development of the site is already spending $90 million to lay out infrastructure for SouthField, and a developer has committed more than $250 million to build office space and residential units.
The governor made the SouthField announcement before a crowd of local business executives and public officials during a tour of the site Thursday. He said coordinated plans to develop 2,855 residential units and 2 million square feet of commercial space will help map a plan for future growth.
"Where is affordable housing going to be? Where is public transportation going to be, and how is it going to be planned?" the governor said. "SouthField is a very natural choice as a growth district."
Peter Forman, president and CEO of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, said the state must continue to support area projects that help make south of Boston one of the fastest-growing regions in Massachusetts. That includes identifying ways to improve transportation routes, from Marshfield to Randolph, he said.
"Consider the entire South Shore a 'smart growth' region," he said.
"This is probably the most dynamic project in the South Shore, and it is probably going to change the South Shore."
Milton J. Valencia can be reached at valencia@globe.com.
