Council suspends rules and approves $20 million federal RAISE grant for Roxbury corridors
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Summary
The council voted unanimously to accept and expend a $20 million RAISE grant to reconstruct three Roxbury corridors, directing the grant to the Transportation Department and scheduling follow‑up committee review for related grants.
The Boston City Council on April 2 unanimously approved a message and order authorizing the city to accept and expend $20,000,000 in federal RAISE grant funds to reconstruct and upgrade three corridors in Roxbury.
Councilors heard about the Roxbury Resilient Corridors proposal during floor discussion and several members said the funding will support road reconstruction, safety upgrades and beautification along Malcolm X Boulevard, Warren Street and Melnea Cass Boulevard. Councilor Fernandez Anderson, who has worked with the administration and local stakeholders on community engagement for the project, urged colleagues to support the docket.
"This grant specifically is to renovate and beautify the Malcolm X Boulevard, Dudley Street, as well as Warren," Councilor Fernandez Anderson said, noting the project could include trees and art installations and link to the Roxbury art corridor. The grant program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation and passed through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation; the Transportation Department will implement the project.
Councilor Lydia Durkin, chair of the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation, reported she had hosted prior hearings on similar grants and moved to suspend the rules and pass the RAISE docket on the floor. Several councilors requested a brief recess to review the grant documents before voting; after reconvening the council voted to suspend and pass.
On the roll call vote, Councilors voted unanimously in the affirmative and the clerk confirmed the docket "has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative." Councilors also discussed related Safe Streets and Roads for All funding (docket 0720, $9 million) that will remain in committee for further review and public hearings.
Council members emphasized the project's local importance: advocates and councilors said improved roadway safety, pedestrian amenities, and integrated community engagement could support future redevelopment along the corridors. The matter will be referred to the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation for follow up oversight and hearings as the Transportation Department moves into design and community outreach.
Action on the companion SAFE STREETS grant (0720) was left in committee to allow additional hearings and district councilor input; the council also accommodated district counsel requests to ensure committee consideration by veterans or other relevant panels when grants have a specific constituency.
