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Bill would let state transfer vacant Brockton lot to Catholic Charities for mixed-use project
Summary
State Representative Michelle DuBois told the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight that House Bill 3324 would let the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance transfer state-owned land in Brockton to Catholic Charities so the nonprofit and partners can build community services and workforce housing.
State Representative Michelle DuBois, chairing testimony for House Bill 3324, told the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight that she supports a plan to transfer state-owned land in Brockton to Catholic Charities to build community services and workforce housing.
The bill before the committee would authorize the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAM) to dispose of roughly 6.8 acres of land acquired years ago for Massasoit Community College; the version discussed at the hearing contemplates transferring about 2.8 acres to Catholic Charities for a nominal fee and placing the remaining parcels into DCAM’s municipal sale partnership program for future redevelopment.
Why it matters: Supporters said the parcel is a high-visibility, long-vacant site at 782 Crescent Street (the former Christos restaurant) and that the project would provide an accredited early-education center, food pantry and basic-needs programs on lower floors with workforce housing above. “I represent the Tenth Plymouth District. I live at 6 Bank Street in the city of Brockton, and I’m here to testify in support of H.3324,” Rep. Michelle DuBois said when she opened her remarks.
DuBois described prior state purchases of two parcels: one bought in the early 1990s and another purchased in roughly 2015–2016 (she said $1.7 million was paid for the later parcel, with an additional $500,000 drawn from a higher-education bond bill to remove an existing restaurant). She said Massasoit Community College has since concentrated life-science programming on its main campus after receiving roughly $38 million in state funding and no longer needs the surplus lots.
Local officials and nonprofit leaders urged the committee to move the bill forward. Representative Rita Mendez, who said she represents Brockton and supports the measure, called the project “a lifetime opportunity” for the East Side of Brockton and said the community and city leadership back the plan. Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan said Catholic Charities has expressed a commitment to stay in Brockton and to invest “millions and millions of dollars” in the neighborhood.
Larry Mays, senior vice president for government and community relations for Catholic Charities, described the agency’s services and the proposed program mix: early education and care, adult education and workforce development, a certified nursing assistant training program, a relocated food pantry and roughly 45 units of affordable workforce housing (the project description in testimony referenced a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units). Chris Cooney, president and CEO of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, said a UMass Donahue Institute needs assessment and local outreach informed the plan and recommended mixed-use redevelopment for the site.
Committee members asked about alternatives to transferring fee-simple title to a nonprofit. Senator Collins raised questions about deed versus long-term lease; several lawmakers recommended further discussion about whether the site should be conveyed or leased, and DuBois said DCAM suggested amendments that the sponsors would submit in writing. DuBois also said the bill’s current text would require 25% of units to be affordable to households earning below 80% of area median income and 20% to households below 50% of area median income, language she said the sponsors are ready to discuss and refine.
No formal committee votes were taken at the hearing. Rep. DuBois said she would file written amendments and continue to work with DCAM and committee staff on technical changes.
What’s next: Supporters asked the committee to refer the bill favorably so local planning, DCAM review and any necessary statutory language can move forward. The sponsors committed to submitting written amendment language to the chairs and staff.
Ending: Committee chairs and staff invited witnesses to submit written testimony and materials for the record; no vote or final action on the bill was recorded during this session.
