Politics & Government
Governor Dedicates Attleboro Bus Terminal, Promises More Downtown Funding
The governor announced $3.9 million in funding for a roadway connecting Wall to Olive St.
Gov. Deval Patrick was in Attleboro Thursday, and with him be brought a promise of continued investment to the city's infrastructure and downtown.
Specifically, Patrick announced the dedication of $3.9 million to construct Riverfront Drive, a 1,930 foot roadway that will connect Wall Street with Olive Street. He said the state government will also assist in the development of a riverfront park along the route.
His announcement came while city and state officials celebrated the opening of the Greater Attleboro Regional Transit Authority (GARTA) Intermodal Center. $8.6 million was dedicated to the project by the Federal Transit Administration, MassDOT and other state agencies, according to the Patrick Administration.
"As we're celebrating the completion of Phase I, he just funded Phase II," Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas said.
Patrick told Attleboro residents Thursday that the development of infrastructure is an importance piece of growth development in the commonwealth. Other pieces include education and innovation.
In addition to the $3.9 in funding for the roadway connecting Attleboro's bus terminal to downtown, approximately $7.3 of additional funding has been secured "to begin the cleanup and redevelop the parcels for new commercial, recreational and residential uses, including the development of important transportation-related construction for enhanced rail and bus services," according to the Patrick Administration.
Officials praised coordinating efforts between local, state and federal governments.
According to Lisa Nelson, an aide for Rep. Joe Kennedy III and former aide for Congressman Jim McGovern, the process began in 1999 under then Attleboro Mayor Judy Robbins, who now serves as the chair of the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority.
For Kennedy, downtown revitalization in Attleboro has always been a priority, Nelson said.
"It's always been his pledge to continue this work going forward," she said.
Dumas thanked federal and state administrators Thursday. He also thanked local officials, including the Attleboro City Council and the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority.
"They are a committed group of individuals who just won't take 'no' for an answer," Dumas said.
Patrick said it was exciting to see revitalization coming to fruition.
"This project has been a long time coming in Attleboro as all of you in Attleboro know," he said. "I'm glad we could be a part of it."
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