Bean Town Times

BOSTON – On June 27, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) visited Chelsea to celebrate $2,000,000 in federal community project funding she secured to improve the Broadway Corridor—home to an array of BIPOC-owned small businesses, vibrant public spaces, high frequency public transit routes, and dense residential housing. The federal funding will support the reconstruction of the streetscape and utility infrastructure, address safety issues, and promote accessible and safe public transit for the Broadway Corridor.

Rep. Pressley was joined at a roundtable and press conference by Chelsea officials and community leaders, including State Representative Judith Garcia, State Senator Sal DiDomenico City Council President Leo Robinson, Director of Housing & Community Development Alex Train, La Colaborativa Director of Policy and Organizing Norieliz DeJesus, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jen Hassel, The Neighborhood Developers Director of Real Estate Development Steve LaFerriere, GreenRoots Acting Director Sara Arman and community members. Also in attendance were La Colaborativa Executive Director Gladys Vega and La Colaborativa Chief Operating Officer Dinanyili Paulino.

“Everyone deserves a safe and sustainable neighborhood to live and move through, and these resources are a direct investment in the streets our neighbors walk on and the public transit they use,” said Rep. Pressley. “It’s long past time we improve the infrastructure of the Broadway Corridor so that the diverse and vibrant communities living and doing business here can thrive. I am proud to have worked in partnership with the City of Chelsea, advocates, and my Senate colleagues to secure these federal funds and pour back into our people.”

“On behalf of the City of Chelsea, I want to thank Congresswoman Pressley and her team for tenaciously working to bring these resources to Chelsea,” said City Council President Leo Robinson. “This project will concertedly support small businesses, improve public transportation, and overhaul streetscape infrastructure to increase safety and accessibility.” 

“Every time Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley comes to Chelsea, she brings the checks and every time she brings a check, there is a triple impact,” said State Representative Judith Garcia. “As a Chelsea native, a City Councilor for the last eight years, and now a State Representative, I have heard and seen the residents of this community suffer because of the lack of investments in the economic prosperity of our small businesses. This $2 million will allow us to reimagine Broadway as a place that welcomes all. The lower Broadway Corridor is home to one of the Commonwealth’s most dangerous intersections and that is going to end once we put this money to work. We thank Congresswoman Pressley for always being there for us and for being Chelsea’s champion at the federal level.”

“Climate change impacts, deteriorating infrastructure, and economic injustice unevenly affect Environmental Justice communities like Chelsea,” said Alex Train, Director of Housing & Community Development. “The city is deeply grateful to Congresswoman Pressley for her unswerving commitment to Chelsea. Upon completion, this project will ensure clean drinking water for generations to come, promote climate resilience, and uplift an array of BIPOC-owned small businesses, which contribute to the economic vitality of the City.” 

Footage from the event can be found here, and photos are available here.

Rep. Pressley secured the federal funding for the Downtown Broadway Infrastructure Improvement Project, along with Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey, in the recent government spending package that passed Congress and was signed into law by President Biden in December. Rep. Pressley secured millions for 15 community projects across the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District in this major Congressional appropriations bill, capping off nearly a year of advocacy by Rep. Pressley and local leaders.

• In April, Rep. Pressley visited Randolph to celebrate $524,000 she secured for Randolph Public Schools to support a mobile library and STEM programming.
• In March, Rep. Pressley visited Dorchester to celebrate $250,000 in new Community Project Funding she secured for Big Sister Association of Greater Boston’s one-to-one mentoring and enrichment programs for girls.
• In February, Rep. Pressley visited the African Community Economic Development of New England (ACEDONE) to celebrate the $643,003 in community project funding she secured for ACEDONE to support small businesses in predominately Black, brown and African immigrant communities.

Original source can be found here.