Council approves $1.0548 million MVP grant for Tower Hill waterfront planning and resiliency work
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Summary
The Lawrence City Council authorized $1,054,800 in Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) funding for the River To Refuge Tower Hill waterfront transformation project on Water Street, a two‑year planning, community engagement and flood‑resiliency effort led by Groundwork Lawrence.
The Lawrence City Council on Oct. 21 authorized the expenditure of $1,054,800 from the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant program of the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to advance planning, community engagement and flood‑resiliency work at the Tower Hill waterfront along Water Street.
Councilors voted to send the project forward after a presentation from Groundwork Lawrence detailing a two‑year effort to plan and design roughly 12 acres of waterfront. Groundwork representative Brad Buscher described the first year as focused on concept development and community engagement and the second year on preparing 60 percent design plans intended to support permitting and construction funding requests.
Council members and city staff said the project will emphasize floodplain resiliency, improved pedestrian access along the waterfront and safety connections between Water Street and interior courts. The council discussion also referenced flood‑risk maps included in the meeting packet and asked for robust community engagement in Lower Tower Hill given a past local tragedy mentioned during the meeting.
Buscher said Groundwork expects to issue subawards during the project to local partners including the Boys & Girls Club and a psychological center for homeless outreach to provide community‑facing services during design and outreach. Groundwork described the core design element as a formal waterfront path, plus neighborhood‑driven uses and safer pedestrian crossings over Water Street.
Vice President Infante moved the item from the Budget & Finance Committee with a favorable recommendation. Council members voted to waive the 30‑day hold and approve the expenditure. The roll call showed affirmative votes from Councilors Reyes, Marmol, Del Rosario, LaPlante, Levy, Vice President Infante and Council President Rodriguez; Councilor Luzon was noted absent.
The project is described by presenters as a planning and design grant; no construction contract or construction schedule was approved by the council at this meeting. Groundwork Lawrence stated the work will culminate with a package sufficient for permitting and future construction bids.
Implementation details, permitting requirements and any future construction costs or timelines were not determined at the meeting. Councilors urged continued attention to flood maps and to community engagement during the concept phase.
The council approved the MVP grant authorization on Oct. 21, 2025.
