Several recent state funding awards have boosted development efforts in two Merrimack Valley cities.
On April 23, Governor Deval Patrick announced grants of $1 million apiece to Lawrence and Lowell for economic growth-related infrastructure projects.
MassDevelopment, meanwhile, on April 27 announced its award of $4 million in low-cost loans for a project to renovate 35 town house units in a former mill housing complex off Market Street in Lawrence. All the units will be rented at affordable rates.
Lawrence and Lowell officials said they welcome the state money.
"I can't overstate the importance of this," Michael Sweeney, Lawrence's planning director, said of his city's $1 million infrastructure grant.
The money will pay for construction of a new bridge over the North Canal, helping pave the way for Union Crossing, a planned mixed-use development at the site of two former mill complexes on East Island.
"This allows Union Crossing to go forward, and continues the momentum for . . . the entire Gateway project," Sweeney said, referring to a larger public-private initiative to revitalize an 11-acre former mill area.
The $1 million grants awarded to Lawrence and Lowell were among four Community Development Action Grants totaling $3.56 million presented by the state. The program funds public infrastructure projects aimed at generating significant economic activity.
Union Crossing will bring 60 units of affordable housing, a new early childhood education center, and new commercial space to East Island. Lawrence CommunityWorks, a nonprofit community development corporation, is undertaking the project in partnership with Luis and Juan Yepez and the Community Group, a nonprofit that will run the childhood center, according to the project director Maggie Church.
"This is terrific news for Union Crossing," Church said, calling it an indication of the "tremendous partnership" that exists among local, state, and federal officials and the private sector that is moving the project forward.
The new bridge will provide a second access point to the island, which can be reached now only by a small bridge along Union Street, according to Thomas Schiavone, Lawrence's chief economic development director.
The grant will also pay for new sidewalks and Victorian-style lighting on Jackson Street .
In Lawrence, the MassDevelopment loans will provide about half the financing needed for the former town house mill housing project near Market Street.
