The Lawrence City Council voted to accept a $500,000 grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) for Phase 4 renovations to Campagnone Common.

Susan Fink of the Community Development Department told the council the city applied in partnership with Groundwork Lawrence and received the maximum award. The grant is reimbursement-based: the city must front costs and will be reimbursed for up to $500,000 (70% of eligible costs under the stated grant terms). Fink said the project will combine grant funds with capital-improvement funds and that the capital request will be brought separately for approval.

Planned work described to the council includes demolition and replacement of the existing stage with an ADA-compliant stage and shade structure, removal of large cement heat-island areas, additional seating, new tree plantings, and a water feature in place of the old wading area. Fink said the grant application included a commitment of $883,000 in local funds but staff has placed a more realistic estimated project cost of about $1.5 million in the capital-improvement plan.

Councilors asked about historic-preservation review, accessibility for people with disabilities, playground surfacing, and signage to restore the Bernstein stage name. Fink said the Prospect Hill Historic Commission will review the project and that the design has not yet been completed; she offered to return with design documents and to hold another public meeting when design is further developed.

The council approved suspending Rule 11 to pull the item from committee, then approved acceptance and the associated resolution committing local matching funds as required by the state grant process. Members noted the city must approve capital allocations to receive state reimbursement.