State Senate Approves $25 Million For New Bedford Pier
BOSTON — Senate Assistant Majority Leader and Rules Committee Chairman Mark C. Montigny (D-New Bedford) is pleased to announce that the Senate has advanced his longtime New Bedford State Pier mixed-use redevelopment plan. Amendment #299, filed by Montigny, to the most recent economic development bill (S2625), authorizes the Commonwealth to lease State Pier to MassDevelopment for up to 35 years for public purposes that include mixed-use development. Mixed-use development is permitted by Montigny’s 2014 $25 million State Pier bond authorization that permits an array of projects including cargo, commercial fishing, marine educational facilities, fresh produce and fish markets, and capital improvements related to tourism and public recreation. Furthermore, Montigny successfully extended his 2014 bond authorization in the recently released Environmental Bond Bill (H4835) through June 30, 2023. This will ensure mixed-use development remains law and properly funded.
Since 2008, Senator Montigny has been a tireless advocate of restoring and redeveloping State Pier into “a multi-use facility for water-dependent cargo, commercial fishing improvements, commercial marine transportation improvements, marine educational facilities, a fresh produce and fish market and capital improvements related to tourism, public recreation and other economic development within the port of New Bedford.” This project marks the third and final phase of an overall economic development vision Montigny has pursued, starting with his legislation to rehabilitate the Star Store into a thriving college arts campus followed by the extensive redevelopment of Route 18.
In 2016, Montigny advocated for MassDevelopment to manage the pier, which Governor Baker later endorsed. The Senator has continually worked with the Baker Administration to ensure proper management, modern refrigeration facilities, and now further redevelopment to ensure State Pier can generate revenues and ultimately become self-sufficient.
“We’re blessed with an incredibly unique working waterfront ripe with economic opportunities and potential job creation,” said Senator Montigny. “State Pier is the most exciting project along our waterfront right now, and I look forward to continue my work with Governor Baker and MassDevelopment so that we can finally connect downtown to the working waterfront, and maximize the full potential of this valuable asset while preserving our maritime industries.”
S.2625, Economic Development Bill (2018)
Amendment 299
State Pier
Mr. Montigny moves that the proposed new draft be amended by inserting the following new section:-
"SECTION __. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance, on behalf of and in consultation with the department of conservation and recreation, may lease, for a term not to exceed 35 years, inclusive of any options for renewal or extension of such lease, all or a portion of the land, tidelands and piers, together with the buildings, structures and appurtenances thereon, known as the New Bedford State Pier and the Fall River State Pier located in the cities of New Bedford and Fall River, respectively, to the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency established in chapter 23G of the Massachusetts General Laws, or any affiliated or subsidiary entity controlled by the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, to be used for public purposes.
(b) The lessee may sublease all or portions of the piers and buildings and facilities located thereon to one or more public or private entities for commercial, industrial and other uses that the lessee determines will serve a public purpose, including without limitation the public purpose of generating revenue for the upkeep, maintenance and improvement of the New Bedford State Pier and the Fall River State Pier; provided however, neither the New Bedford State Pier nor the Fall River State Pier shall be used to support facilities for offshore oil and gas exploration or development; provided further that no person or entity or group of affiliated persons or entities shall be permitted the exclusive use of either the New Bedford State Pier or the Fall River State Pier; provided further, that the unexpended balance in item 6720-1350, as authorized pursuant to chapter 286 of the acts of 2014, shall be made available for the purposes of and subject to the conditions stated in the original authorizations and any amendments to such authorization; and provided further, that any use of either the New Bedford State Pier or the Fall River State Pier shall conform to conditions set forth in 310 C.M.R. 9.00 to support public and private efforts to revitalize unproductive property along the New Bedford and Fall River waterfronts, in a manner that promotes public use and enjoyment of the water."
2014 Environmental Bond Bill (Chapter 286 of Acts of 2014)
Mr. Montigny moved that the bill be amended by inserting the following:-
6720-1350….”provided further, that not less than $25,000,000 shall be expended on capital improvements to the state pier facility in the city of New Bedford, which improvements shall be made to further economic development within the port of New Bedford; projects may include, but shall not be limited to, a multi-use facility for water-dependent cargo, commercial fishing improvements, commercial marine transportation improvements, marine educational facilities, a fresh produce and fish market and capital improvements related to tourism, public recreation and other economic development within the port of New Bedford”
Office of Senator Mark Montigny