Town Awarded $3 Million MVP Grant to Improve Downtown Green Infrastructure Plymouth
Town Manager Derek Brindisi and Select Board Chair Deb Iaquinto are pleased to announce that the Town of Plymouth was awarded a $3 million Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant to incorporate green infrastructure into, and improve pedestrian connectivity within, the downtown area.
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs announced the Town of Plymouth’s grant award during its Environment & Climate (ECO) One Stop program award ceremony in Salem on Thursday, Aug. 14. Plymouth was one of two recipients to receive the maximum award amount of $3 million.
“On behalf of the Select Board and community, I would like to thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration for awarding the Town this substantial grant which will allow us to invest in our first climate resilience-based revitalization initiative, the Plymouth Downtown Resiliency Project,” Chair Iaquinto said. “This project will rehabilitate and improve existing public infrastructure in a thoughtful, effective way that will reduce heat island effects, manage stormwater, improve pedestrian safety and accessibility, and create social and economic value for the community. Funding would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the members of the Department of Energy and Environment, who have been tireless in their pursuit of this grant and their commitment to advancing climate resiliency in our community.”
As part of the Plymouth Downtown Resiliency Project, the Town will utilize grant funds to expand pervious surfaces, increase native vegetation, implement green infrastructure, and enhance public spaces and pedestrian connectivity along the Route 3A corridor within the community’s most densely developed residential and commercial area. This project will include the rehabilitation of Depot Square and Shirley Square, located adjacent to the project corridor. These existing pocket parks will receive increased tree canopy, shade structures, aesthetic features, and seating areas to provide opportunities for rest, recreation, and social interaction. As a result of these efforts, the Town will address urban heat island and stormwater runoff mitigation while simultaneously improving pedestrian safety and accessibility.
“Following 400 years of development, the downtown corridor has been identified as a priority location for urban heat island reduction, stormwater runoff mitigation, and pedestrian connectivity,” said Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Planner Michael Cahill. “We are extremely pleased to secure funding for this resilience-based revitalization project, as it can serve as a blueprint for how historic municipalities can reclaim past aesthetics, while proactively achieving sustainability goals.”
The Town would like to thank Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Planner Michael Cahill, Natural Resources and Sustainability Specialist Sarah McCormack and Grant Writer Tiffany Park for securing this grant funding.
“Since its inception, our Department of Energy and Environment has aggressively pursued grant opportunities whenever possible to further the town’s green initiatives while simultaneously offsetting the cost to our taxpayers,” Town Manager Brindisi said. “We are extremely proud of their work in securing this grant and greatly look forward to the positive impact this project will have on our community.”
