Community Preservation Act Applications to be Presented at Virtual Public Meetings

NEW BEDFORD – Mayor Jon Mitchell and the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) invite all interested members of the public to review the FY25 Community Preservation Act (CPA) applications submitted for funding consideration, and to provide public comment at three virtual public meetings in January.

The FY25 application process began in September with Step I: Eligibility Determination. Eligible applicants were invited to submit Step II: Project Applications in November. A total of 26 applications seeking more than $3.6 million in CPA funding were received by the deadline. For FY25, there is $1.6 million available to be awarded by the CPC.

This month, the CPC invites applicants to present their projects at a public meeting and allows the public to comment in this open setting. Once the CPC has completed its application review, the committee will vote on the projects to recommend for funding and submit their recommendations to the City Council for their consideration and vote.

All meetings will be held via Zoom. To participate, go to: https://zoom.us/j/82458802954

Meeting ID: 824 5880 2954 – Passcode: 228517

Members of the public can also call in: (646) 931-3860, Meeting ID: 824 5880 2954, Passcode: 228517.

The project applicants will present at the following meeting dates:

Tuesday, Jan. 14, 6 p.m.

  • Ft Taber Ft Rodman Historical Documents
  • City Clerk Record Preservation Phase IV
  • Hillman Firehouse Restoration
  • Grinnell Mansion Renovation
  • Ingraham School Renovation
  • Acushnet Commons Renovation
  • Underground Railroad Café & Gallery
  • Rotch-Jones-Duff House Storm Protection

Thursday, Jan. 23, 6 p.m.

  • New Bedford Superior Courthouse Window Restoration
  • Whaleman Statue Restoration
  • Liberty Hall Playbills Conservation
  • Sgt Carney Academy Playground Phase II
  • Island Park
  • New Bedford Art Museum
  • William H. Carney Lodge
  • Acushnet River Rowing Center Dock
  • St. Teresa of Calcutta Park Renovation

Tuesday, Jan. 30, 6 p.m.

  • Boys & Girls Club Shade Structure
  • Capitol Theater Proscenium Restoration
  • 193-197 Union Street
  • New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center Archives Phase III
  • John Emerson Portrait Restoration
  • Milton Silvia Collection Digitization
  • 105 Ashley Blvd Redevelopment
  • Northern Scenic Greenway

To review the FY25 applications, please visit the CPC webpage at:

http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/planning/community-preservation/

Public comment must be received by Jan. 29, and can be provided by:

  • Attending the virtual meeting for the project you wish to comment on. Public comment will be allowed after each project presentation.
  • Emailing your comment to CPA@NewBedford-MA.gov
  • Mailing your comment to: CPC, Department of City Planning, 133 William Street Room 303, New Bedford, MA 02740

For more information, call the CPA Manager at 508-979-1488 or email CPA@NewBedford-MA.gov.

About the Community Preservation Act (CPA)

The Community Preservation Act was adopted by New Bedford voters through a ballot question in November 2014. This statewide enabling legislation allows communities to create dedicated funding for: Open Space, Outdoor Recreational Facilities, Historic Preservation, and Community Housing projects in the City. Oversight of this process rests with the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), the body established by the City to oversee the CPA program in New Bedford.

Since FY18, the CPC has recommended, and the City Council has approved, 122 grants totaling over $12.5 million in CPA funding to projects that have preserved historic resources and open space; created community housing opportunities; and both improved and created recreational facilities throughout the City.