[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6268885,"mediaKeyId","3048668-f7281fc6a6259c8616730cd00b1d8748","parentId",3048668,"title","Council hears timelines for schools, libraries and pool repairs; Draper pool set to reopen","audioSeconds",692,"startMs",2021000,"endMs",2713000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048668-f7281fc6a6259c8616730cd00b1d8748&start=2021&end=2713","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048668-f7281fc6a6259c8616730cd00b1d8748/thumbnail_2021000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6268885/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Council-hears-timelines-for-schools-libraries-and-pool-repairs-Draper-pool-set-to-reopen","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268885-a2eded6a70d483c230bd3b48f85cb240/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092439&Signature=j-T1PkUDtH8ZrQLjdSQh~GEJxiB7F~ULtpTBazgXfZXJU0G9uvPP3XVJhJ9pJVBXetAM5E4P5RFZNScv~-lSdA79n3sxq4MIF3LfiIq9AvzOWNQ~B2uboNnYNDsZjiWNZzOhzOgYJ6yXGJK1R1ZB6KpzbraUpMlru~gQ4vynlEY6GDN~flpF3hOm82A-j7jc-Iuxm~FkMl1oMzEzjsWBIak~IVBl8F~wpPMTLLYAQUlj8M~-TvLD5KJ7zJET4tqtzCqYTAH9Tbym4Qg5jm1nUFT~NWpCfgihGaeTr7a0PpoqbuRf8djX7dW5owfUg9T-kwm6Qd1uY56~QMCVVpRUdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boston City, MA","date","2025-04-18T08:42:59.003Z","article","City and Boston Public Schools officials updated the Committee on Ways and Means on April 17 about a string of school, library and pool projects, offering construction and completion windows for several items and describing changes to how pools will be maintained.

School and library timelines: Boston Public Schools and the Public Facilities Department said the Sarah Roberts School project is slated to finish “before this fall, late this summer” so it can be ready for the coming school year. The Chinatown branch library’s developer-led construction is expected to begin in summer 2025 with anticipated completion in June 2027, Carlton Jones said. The South End branch is in design with construction due to start in winter 2026, city staff told the committee.

MSBA and to-be-scheduled projects: Officials explained the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process for school projects, noting that MSBA funding allocations and project funding agreements occur well into the design process and must be reflected in the capital plan while projects proceed through MSBA steps. Officials said some projects are represented in the plan as “to be scheduled” and will move as funding and approvals align.

Pools and maintenance approach: Boston Public Schools’ chief operating officer Brian Ford described how pool maintenance has shifted from ad-hoc capital fixes to operating maintenance contracts and district-level work. That shift was necessary after several pools experienced mechanical failures; Ford said an air-handler for the Mildred Avenue Community Center is already under order and expected to be installed before summer. Trisha (Deputy Chief Trish Kafrty) — the city lead coordinating pool work across agencies — told council members that the Draper pool is in the permitting stage, the filter is running, chemical balances are being calibrated and the pool is “reopening in April.”

Why this matters: School openings, library replacements and pool availability affect students, seniors, people with disabilities and neighborhood residents. Councilors pressed for clearer phasing and neighborhood-level lists for which BHA, BPS or library facilities will receive funds and when construction or repairs will start.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ways & Means FY26 Budget: Capital Overview on April 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City and Boston Public Schools officials gave timelines for several school and library projects, outlined a strategy to shift pool maintenance to operating contracts, and said the Draper pool is reopening after repairs.","taxTitle","Boston City, Suffolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",3381,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268889,"Parks officials promise more project managers as many park projects move toward construction",5112,1519000,6631000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048668-f7281fc6a6259c8616730cd00b1d8748&start=1519&end=6631","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048668-f7281fc6a6259c8616730cd00b1d8748/thumbnail_1519000.jpg","/articles/6268889/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Parks-officials-promise-more-project-managers-as-many-park-projects-move-toward-construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268889-1296fc52e278655cc909afcafded8a9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092439&Signature=BnAlAEYN0VA3kTiQo0EzIPQOtepMATS94x~b0bav4MssNvi-mSw48eZpYaHDqCwPXFqb~-DlLRpvZJUQgMEYahqgTrT~zNOmhPAJCWdxpz8zM-PcR0xYUHr47Q-JY8gSv8K8xYXUuQUfztPspjwZ~sr4rq5yhHBjceMWUoPZRz1cZhz~Jq60Wsnot5p6izYsqL4aCpGxVEUJxFCmpZa2VNnoJwb1tLmC2veyyRRziakE7zNZcyToFLHFXdtaee9qLgWYRBb8wuL7DHtx~GIh~VepGIXpnnIh4piaeL8-YmJl4NFDQHiRbDQf~6E9vsHfyE23CYuKpekVqTUZyo2kww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks Department leaders told the City Council committee on April 17 that a cluster of park projects are advancing and the department will add project managers to reduce a backlog of design and construction work.

“We're soliciting design firms…we'll be selecting a design firm that meets the needs of the community to work with” on Mowgli Park connectors and other projects, Parks Capital Plan director Kathy Bakerie Klipsch said during the hearing. Park officials said several projects are at different stages — some ready to bid, some in design, and some in construction — and they are trying to move more projects into construction this year.

What’s moving: The parks presentation and subsequent Q&A listed completed and in-progress park projects across the city, including Harambee Park Phase 4, Copley Square Park (in progress), Clifford Playground (funding increase discussed earlier in council remarks), Ringer Playground (grant-funded and expected to bid this fiscal year), and McKinney (design and construction funding requested). Kathy Bakerie Klipsch said the department planned to try to make progress this year on Town Field (design) and other community-flagged sites.

Capacity issue: Interim Parks Commissioner Liza Meyer and other officials said staffing shortages in project management had delayed some projects, and the department is bringing on at least two new project managers and expects more hires to help move longstanding projects such as Rogers Park and Penimen forward.

Community requests and equity: Councilors pressed for attention to neighborhood priorities including accessibility fixes at Healy Playground, upgrades at Ross Playground in Hyde Park, and maintenance needs at newly built parks. Parks officials said they are coordinating with community groups and other city agencies on acquisition options for new parkland in underserved areas such as Mount Hope.

What to watch: Parks officials said they will return to councils with more specific schedules once design contracts are awarded and the new project managers are onboarded; councilors asked for follow-up on timelines for construction starts on projects that have been in planning for years.","Parks staff told the council that several park projects are nearing construction, the department is adding project managers to clear backlogs, and highlighted specific projects including McKinney, Ringer Park and Ross Playground improvements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268895,"City says roadway resurfacing rising to $92M; ADA curb-ramp obligations slow pace of paving",155,2843000,2998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048668-f7281fc6a6259c8616730cd00b1d8748&start=2843&end=2998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048668-f7281fc6a6259c8616730cd00b1d8748/thumbnail_2843000.jpg","/articles/6268895/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/City-says-roadway-resurfacing-rising-to-92M-ADA-curb-ramp-obligations-slow-pace-of-paving","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268895-4dae8603f49f6257e2b17db6269c2e94/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092439&Signature=j1z3GDMscyzpwlw9jK5A-KXSsJtXpfMc8euHzvPXlY1Xaujvr3cxRxCEzMiEVyGCTi6x1oYu9H8PWJxYIpNI-wQxB2fYpyDHjXUJC3dgXkiru-OSRC4cGZo96Tfq11Ds4ik09uq~la9CQzTkyhIw7GTI~YluiqMAmggZHbM29DhP0zrehjmZCIAlb6S9HwWdBwJEZOUtwjhstNYt0whvGGtw5aC1lIlE0w5weFGrJqgyMCr5CVEX1fGojpu-CYOTxggJSA1aUbx8VqqeVtsjgM~CjFMl7nD9ytzOkMWjyd0NySDCPZliAcU4Q2XDuELHyoN8RViwxoMs6ONgNNGqjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boston officials told the City Council committee on April 17 that the five-year capital plan increases funding for roadway reconstruction and resurfacing, but that the legal and engineering obligations tied to curb ramps under an ADA consent decree have constrained the pace of work.

Chief of Streets Yascha Franklin Hodge said the five-year plan shows $1.4 billion for streets and infrastructure and that the annual roadway reconstruction line rose from $70.5 million in the previous five-year plan to $92 million in the new plan. “Last year, we did about 25 miles of roadway resurfacing, which is the highest number since the pandemic,” he said.

How resurfacing interacts with accessibility: Franklin Hodge and other street engineers told the council that because the city is under a consent decree requiring higher scrutiny and replacement of ADA curb ramps whenever streets are resurfaced, the ramp work must be coordinated carefully with pavement projects. That coordination has slowed the rate at which resurfacing contracts can be staged and completed, officials said.

Officials said they are building capacity — including more ramp production and area contracts to address sidewalk and ramp needs — so the city can combine higher-volume ramp work with paving. They also said federal grant uncertainty and supply-chain pressures can affect timing and cost.

Other details: The plan’s streets and infrastructure bucket covers bridges, traffic signal equipment and roadway networks; large projects like bridge and major reconstruction programs can be complicated and costly. The city expects to continue similar mileage of resurfacing this construction season but is seeking ways to accelerate both ramp and pavement work while meeting state and federal accessibility obligations.

What the council asked: Members sought a benchmark for resurfacing and asked whether the additional dollars would translate to more miles. Officials said the $92 million figure is for roadway reconstruction in the five-year plan but that mileage fluctuates depending on project timing and design complexity.","Public works and streets officials told the council that roadway reconstruction funding increased in the capital plan but ADA consent-decree obligations for curb ramps have slowed resurfacing throughput; the city resurfaced about 25 miles last year.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268898,"Boston unveils $4.5 billion five-year capital plan as debt approaches policy limit",248,207000,455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048668-f7281fc6a6259c8616730cd00b1d8748&start=207&end=455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048668-f7281fc6a6259c8616730cd00b1d8748/thumbnail_207000.jpg","/articles/6268898/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Boston-unveils-45-billion-five-year-capital-plan-as-debt-approaches-policy-limit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268898-ab77b7d19170a05db59ca98c7e448f43/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092439&Signature=aDOWoDGuqsap4zo6DVewY~yP0S4oLjOkIhTxt3QxtUbQDWQb38F1kAN6IijUca6g4kS8qLEnpnOM3bc0Wpr9jO0bjuXuGaRLmjw6qCVc0kcBMzjugWywBI~zx2rreCWDvw-5d6UVg63ueShTHZMgCVn~GYrOXYaKPtonCVWrmvx1KUpwbDZD-mx6GONlPkoZuMPzqtYfSSXbdKVahrg2pDSwHXHaZ~cFjNamd1bNowlKBnjgD3A2W58zyrZC5toQnnCSscuMdU54TXrBMYxfvLBn8Ml0qcu16lwCU7Qubd6IWP0g0k9DHCFGogV0mq7Ms5kmvjMNPDb4F2lMa10eNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boston officials on April 17 laid out a five-year capital plan that totals $4.5 billion and covers roughly 390 projects across neighborhoods, while stressing the city is nearing its self-imposed debt-service limit.

The presentation to the City Council Committee on Ways and Means said the plan, for fiscal years 2026–2030, is financed primarily with general obligation bonds, supplemented by other city funds and federal and state grants. “This 5 year capital plan totals $4,500,000,000 and includes investments across 390 projects in all neighborhoods,” Ashley Grafenberger, the city’s chief financial officer, told the committee.

The plan relies heavily on borrowing. Grafenberger said roughly 80 percent of the plan’s revenue will come from general obligation bonds and that the city anticipates issuing more than $2.4 billion in bonds over the coming years, with just over $500 million expected in fiscal 2026. “The bonds are direct general obligation debt for the city and are backed by the full faith and credit of the city of Boston,” she said.

Why it matters: The Office of Budget Management said it expects the city to approach its debt-service policy limit — the policy states debt service shall not exceed 7 percent of operating budget expenditures — within the five-year window. Officials cautioned that getting close to that limit reduces flexibility in the operating budget and can force trade-offs with salaries and programmatic spending.

Grafenberger described the city’s debt-management practice: principal is repaid rapidly, with 35–40 percent repaid within five years and 65–70 percent within 10 years, and no variable-rate debt outstanding. She said the 7 percent figure is a limit, not a target, and that “there really are practical consequences to being at that limit,” including reduced ability to maintain projects at the margin.

Details and trade-offs: City staff told the committee the plan decreased compared with the prior five-year plan because several large projects finished and were removed from the new plan. Federal grants account for a smaller share of revenue (about 9 percent) but are important for coastal resilience and certain street projects; officials warned the loss of such grants would affect those programs.

City officials described the capital plan as a roadmap that aligns with revenue assumptions. They emphasized that projected expenditures in the plan may require additional investment later — “a project may need increasing investment to fully actualize,” Grafenberger said — and that loan and appropriation orders approved by the council and mayor authorize debt against specific projects.

What to watch: Officials said they are not actively planning to change the debt-policy limit but noted such a decision would require explanation to rating agencies and could affect the city’s AAA credit standing. The council’s review process continues through June, and the plan will be updated as projects move through design, bidding and construction phases.","City officials presented a $4.5 billion, 390-project five-year capital plan to the City Council committee, and warned the city will approach its 7% debt-service policy limit if projected borrowing continues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears timelines for schools, libraries and pool repairs; Draper pool set to reopen

Parks officials promise more project managers as many park projects move toward construction

City says roadway resurfacing rising to $92M; ADA curb-ramp obligations slow pace of paving

Boston unveils $4.5 billion five-year capital plan as debt approaches policy limit