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HRA staff advance High Street site-readiness scope; board authorizes chair to sign access agreement for target building
Summary
Staff updated the HRA on a site-readiness grant for High Street, negotiations with the consultant Stantec and MassDevelopment, and the board authorized the chair to sign an access-and-consent agreement so city teams can enter a target property to complete assessments.
HRA staff told the board on April 16 that they are finalizing a scope of work for a site-readiness grant aimed at High Street, combining the city’s priorities with the MassDevelopment scope, and negotiating details with the consultant Stantec. The scope will assess options to preserve or demolish targeted structures, evaluate structural and environmental considerations, and estimate costs to rehab or remove buildings in the Urban Renewal Plan area.
Staff said they have contacted owners of a targeted property (referred to as PAPCO in meeting materials) and received mixed delivery results from certified letters; one letter was delivered, one returned, and one not returned. Staff said they expect to bring a final scope to the board for approval at a future meeting once edits are incorporated and they have de-conflicted the MassDevelopment agreement language.
Staff also briefed the board on parallel planning by MassDOT for the High and Grattan/Gramma Street intersection: MassDOT and consultant GPI are conducting design and road-safety work with a construction procurement anticipated in 2026 and possible construction in 2027; staff said that work could affect property needs and recommended coordination.
Separately, the board considered an access-and-consent-to-enter-property agreement that would allow city departments (and HRA) to access a targeted building for inspection and assessment. The HRA voted to authorize the chair to execute the access-and-consent agreement so site work can proceed in the near term. The roll-call vote recorded all members present voting yes: Daphne Borg; Tiffany Espinosa; Thomas Creed; Carl Leaker; Patrick Bodrey; and Stephanie Ward.
Staff said the site-readiness planning grant is a two-year program administered by MassDevelopment and that consultants’ work is paid by MassDevelopment rather than advancing city cash; the HRA’s role is to shepherd scope and scheduling and, where needed, act as signatory on access agreements.
