Lawrence
Barry Finegold has been fully committed to Lawrence and it’s citizens as their State Representative and has worked with the Legislature to allocate funding and aid to the city.
In 2007, Finegold announced that the Blakeley Building, located at 467-479 Essex Street in Lawrence, has been selected by the Massachusetts Historical Commission to receive $800,000 of state rehabilitation tax credit funds. This historic building has since been turned into affordable housing for low-income families.
Since its December 2005 opening, the McGovern Transportation Center was problematic for Lawrence commuters. For over a year, passengers arriving in Lawrence by train were forced to cross the tracks using a temporary low-level platform in order to reach the Center. Finegold helped to speed up the work by authorizing, along with the delegation, the execution of an agreement permitting the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR) to complete the remaining track and signal work at the McGovern Transportation Center. Today, the McGovern Center is a safe transportation center that serves the entire Lawrence and Merrimack Valley community.
Finegold has also focused on the education and public services for residents of Lawrence.
The revitalization of the city depends on attracting growth to the City. Barry has successfully worked to attract the Northern Essex Community College to Lawrence when they were looking for a location for their new satellite campus. Northern Essex Community College will soon be breaking ground on a new campus in downtown Lawrence to house their Technology and Allied Health programs. The students that graduate from these programs will go on to contribute much to the Merrimack Valley in these growing fields.
Barry Finegold also advocated for Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational High School to receive a school grant from the Mass Clean Energy Center. Finegold, along with Senator Tucker and Rep. Torrisi, wrote a letter on behalf of the Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational High School requesting a grant to fund the purchase of a mobile solar panel training unit. The High School received a $75,000 grant for this project in July 2010.
Finegold also worked to increase community support and awareness for abused women. He spearheaded an amendment passed in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to earmark $20,000 for the Spanish and English battered women’s hotline provided by De La Mano in Lawrence.
Barry Finegold understands that attracting new businesses to Lawrence is crucial to Lawrence’s economic viability. The redevelopment of abandoned mills in Lawrence has long been a priority for Lawrence. Barry worked hard to help Sal Lupoli revive multiple mills and return them to active use, leading to the creation of Sal’s Riverwalk.
Barry fought for Historical Tax Credits that helped to create many construction jobs in Lawrence, as well as establishing new businesses in what were once vacant properties. The revenue and jobs these businesses create are critically important to the City of Lawrence. Barry worked with the city to create a vibrant public-privace partnership to start improvements to the Riverway in Lawrence. This updated green corridor will provide access to the river and much-needed green space in downtown Lawrence, as well as attracting new companies to the areas.
