- U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley delivers the check and celebrates the funding amount that has not been seen in Chelsea since the 1970’s
By Alberto Vasallo, III
June 27, 2023 – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley was in Chelsea yesterday and as has been the case in the past, she brought a check along, and this time it was for a hefty $2 million.
The funds are coming from a federal community project grant she secured to improve the Broadway Corridor—home to an array of Latino-owned small businesses, public spaces, high frequency public transit routes, and one of the densest residential housing regions in the Commonwealth.
«Our greatest investment that we can make is our people and this is going to support the safety of our people, the health of our people, their economic mobility and the vibrancy of our small businesses», said Pressley at a press conference held in the Chelsea Council Chambers.
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.
«We love whenever Congresswoman Pressley visits Chelsea, but especially when she brings these types of major funds because we are a city that truly needs it and our community deserves it», said Judith Garcia, District 5 Chelsea City Councilor and the area’s State Representative.
Rep. Pressley secured the federal funding for the Downtown Broadway Infrastructure Improvement Project, in partnership 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.
An investment of this magnitude coming from federal funds has not been seen in Chelsea since the 1970’s. Pressley emphasized that «this kind of commitment has been long overdue».
Chelsea City Council President Leo Robinson highlighted just one of the many benefits that Chelsea residents will finally receive.
«This money will help us to drastically improve the water quality for our residents, as we can now replace all the old lead pipes we are still using.»
State Senator Sal DiDomenico heralded the announcement as a major victory for «the people who walk the streets of Chelsea, for the people who raise families here and for our small business owners, this is great for everyone».
«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», Pressley detailed.
The $2 million federal grant is among 15 community projects across the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District in this particular Congressional appropriations bill, capping off nearly a year of advocacy by Rep. Pressley and local leaders.
