Legislators and advocates press for state support of "school‑centered neighborhood development" bill

A joint legislative hearing on community development and small business heard lengthy testimony in favor of S.185 and H.298, bills to promote “school‑centered neighborhood development” — an approach that pairs state school construction and services with coordinated neighborhood housing, health and economic investments.

Supporters told the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business that the legislation aims to seed local backbone organizations, coordinate state agencies and attract philanthropic and private capital to transform neighborhoods where new schools are being built or modernized.

The bill’s sponsors and advocates said the model treats a school not just as an educational facility but as an anchor for neighborhood revitalization. Representative Tony Cabral told the committee the proposal would change how communities plan around major school projects such as the new Condon Duval Elementary School in New Bedford: “What else are we doing there besides investing millions of dollars of both state and local money?” he asked,…