City of Newton, MA
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Community Preservation Projects
Current Projects
The City Council has appropriated funds for these projects, based on the CPC's recommendations.
Locations:
1) Russ Halloran Sports & Recreation Complex @Albemarle
256 Albemarle Road, Newtonville
2) McGrath Park
1600 Washington Street, West Newton
3) Burr School Fields
171 Pine Street, Auburndale
2023 Construction Goals:
Building on the design work and community engagement completed with the FY22 funding, this phase will complete final design work and construction on much needed improvements to the Albemarle, McGrath, and Burr School Fields including the construction of new multiuse and multipurpose fields, installation of community requested improvements, improving accessibility in the parks, and establishing standardized park design details for better maintenance and operations in the future.
2023 Funding Request:
$9,099,787 Newton CPA Funds (Recommended)
$473,340 City Staff Time to oversee and manage multi-year plan
$200,000 Murphy Field Sports Lighting at Albemarle
$92,000 McGrath Park Accessible Path (CDBG Funding)
$2,148,338.25 Albemarle Synthetic Turf Multipurpose Fields
$60,000 McGrath Lacrosse Practice Wall
$1,475,777 Sports Lighting at NSHS and NNHS fields
$200,000 Forte Park Lighting Upgrades (Developer Mitigation Funds
$21,875 Athletic Lighting Structural Assessment (Forte Park, Albemarle, and Newton South Tennis Court)
$13,771,117.25 Total Project Funding
Funding Process
February 17, 2023 - Pre-Proposal application submitted for discussion at the March 14 CPC meeting.
March 14, 2023 - Applicant gave a presentation of the proposed new project plan and pool designs after which the CPC unanimously voted to invite the applicant to submit a full application for review at a future meeting.
March 14, 2023 - Letters received by this date expressing concerns with the installation of artificial turf at Albemarle Park
March 20, 2023 - Full Proposal received for design and construction funding at Albemarle Park, McGrath Park, and the Burr School Fields. Included with the proposal are the following attachments:
- Spreadsheet on proposed uses of CPA funding in Athletic Fields Project
- Proposed design and lighting locations at Albemarle Park
- Musco Sports Lighting Albemarle Phase I
- Musco Sports Lighting Albemarle Phase II
- Musco Sports Light Fixtures Brochure
March 30, 2023 - Letter from Newton Little League confirming donations for lighting at Murphy Field
April 10, 2023 - Four additional letters expressing concern about the installation of artificial turf at Albemarle Park. The Committee also received Letters of Support for the project from the Friends of Albemarle and Newton Girls Soccer.
April 11, 2023 - Following the Project Presentation during the public hearing, the CPC unanimously voted to recommend full funding of the project using $5,000,000 in 15 year bonds and $4,099,727 in available funds.
April 24, 2023 - CPC Recommendation for full funding was sent to City Council for their review and approval.
June 20, 2023 - City Council Order approves full funding of the project, including authorization for bonding of $5 million in project costs beginning in FY24.
FY22 Design Goals:
The Athletic Fields Capital Improvements Plan FY22-25 Design Funding allowed the City to hire design consultants to complete the work necessary, including site analysis, feasibility studies, design development plans, landscape plans, construction documents, cost estimates, and construction observation, to take the field improvement projects at the Russ Halloran Sports & Recreation Complex, McGrath Park, Burr School Fields, Brown/Oak Hill Middle School Fields, Forte Park, and Upper Falls Playground (Braceland Park) from the design development phase through project completion.
FY22 Funding:
$420,000 Newton CPA Funds
$236,670 City Staff Time to oversee and manage multi-year plan
$17,000 Forte Park Artificial Turf Feasibility (Athletic League Funding)
$92,000 McGrath Park Accessible Path (CDBG Funding)
$200,000 Forte Park Lighting Upgrades (Developer Mitigation Funds
$21,875 Athletic Lighting Structural Assessment (Forte Park, Albemarle, and Newton South Tennis Court)
$987,545 Total Project Funding
Funding Process:
June 25, 2021 - Pre-Proposal submitted for discussion with CPC at their July 13, 2021 regular meeting. Also submitted is a project overview and presentation previously made to the Parks and Recreation Committee and Athletic Fields Subcommittee.
July 9, 2021 - Newton Athletic Field Foundation (NAFF) submits letter of support, including petition and petition comments
July 13, 2021 - Pre-Proposal presentation made to CPC. CPC invites applicant to submit a full proposal for a public hearing at their next meeting on August 10, 2021.
July 23,2021 - Full Proposal submitted for public hearing review on August 10, 2021. Submitted materials also include the cover letter from Commissioner Banks and the Supplemental Capital Improvement Plan for FY22- FY26
August 10, 2021 - Letters of Support received for CPC Public Hearing on proposal.
August 10, 2021 - Project Presentation made during the Public Hearing on the proposed project. CPC unanimously votes to recommend full funding of the project to the City Council.
August 19, 2021 - CPA Funding Recommendation sent to the City Council for full funding of the project as proposed.
August 23, 2021 - Boston Globe Article on Athletic Fields Improvement Project
October 4, 2021 - City Council Order approves full funding of the project as submitted.
Historic Preservation and Rehabilitation
848 Beacon Street
Newton Centre, MA 02459
Current Project Goals
To preserve and restore the structural integrity of the historic Bell Tower following the partial collapse of its exterior stonework in 2021 and 2022. The Tower is an original and significant architectural element of the ca. 1888 Richardson Romanesque building designed by John Lyman Faxon and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Funding Requested
$2,000,000 CPA Funding Requested
$1,640,000 First Baptist Church in Newton Funding
$60,000 Community Funding
$350,000 Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund
$250,000 National Fund for Sacred Places
$150,000 MHC Mass. Preservation Project Fund Emergency Grant Funding
$4,450,000 Total Project Cost
Funding Process
August 18, 2023 - Pre-Proposal Form submitted for initial review of funding request at September 12 CPC Meeting.
May 17, 2024 - Udpates to pre-proposal submitted to the CPC for review at the June 11 meeting. These include:
Full Proposal Submitted to CPC for review at July 9 meeting.
Full Proposal with attachments
Letters of Support are also being collected, ahead of the public hearing that will be part of the anticipated Full Proposal submission.
Location:
Citywide
Goals:
The goal of the current multi-phase project is to preserve Newton’s historically significant mid-twentieth century resources by completing new historic inventory forms that will allow for a more complete understanding of the individual structures and neighborhoods constructed during this period. Newton has over 3,200 structures built between 1940 and 1975 yet to be surveyed, including commercial and institutional structures which warrant recognition and preservation. This survey will provide the City with much needed information to help it better implement its existing preservation tools and strategies to preserve, rehabilitate, and restore mid-century structures for future generations.
Funding:
Funding:
CPA Funding Received 2022 $17,500
Additional CPA Funding Requested $17,500
MHC Survey & Planning Grants (two rounds) $35,000
Total Project Funding $70,000
Location:
Citywide
Project Goals:
The Newton Affordable Housing Trust requests CPA Community Housing Funds for the preservation of the City's existing affordable housing units, including the restoration and rehabilitation of existing affordable units, and for the creation of new units that are affordable to low and moderate income households
Funding:
$2,154,544 FY26 CPA Funding Requested
Contacts:
Ann Houston, Chair
Newton Affordable Housing Trust
Newton City Hall
1000 Commonwealth Ave.
Newton, MA 02459
Funding Process:
July 30, 2025 - Proposal submitted for CPA funding of the new Affordable Housing Trust submitted for review at the August 9, 2022 CPC meeting.
Newton Community Farm
Location:
303 Nahanton St, Newton, MA 02459
Project Goals:
The Newton Community Farm is seeking $75,000 in Recreation Funding to replace the c. 2010 deck, after issues with the original installation resulted in deterioration and rotting. The deck serves as a vital space for community events, including children's programs and adult education classes, and is major outdoor gathering space for visitors to the farm.
Project Funding:
| CPA Funding (requested) | $75,000 |
| Newton Community Farm Funding | $11,250 |
| Total Project Funding | $86,250 |
Updates:
Suzuki School of Music - Restoration and Accessibility
Project Goal and Description:
The Suzuki Music School, located in the Staples Farmhouse is a recognizable and beloved landmark anchoring Waban Village. Dating to 1750, it is the oldest original building in the village, at the crossroads of Beacon Street and Windsor Road. The property was designated as a Local Historic Landmark in 2015, before being purchased by the music school in 2017. The building serves hundreds of people throughout the year, as a music school, pre-school, art gallery and event space. The current project seeks to further restore the exterior fabric of the original building through work on windows, siding, front porch and gutters, as well as construct a rear classroom annex compatible with the historic building incorporating an elevator shaft to provide accessibility to all floors. The project has been approved by the Newton Historical Commission.
CPA Application Documents
Pre-proposal Submission for 10/21/25 Meeting
Full Proposal Submission for 12/09/25 Meeting
Location:
Newton City Hall and War Memorial
1000 Commonwealth Ave
Newton, MA 02459
Project Goals:
The City of Newton Public Buildings Department has requested $189,300 in Historic Resource fuding from the CPA in an effort to restore the War Memorial stairs, including concrete landing and plaza. This project proposes complete structural restoration, waterproofing, rehabilitation, and improvement to the deteriorated exterior element of the granite stairs and wall. New handrails will be installed to meet the recent building code
Project Funding:
| CPA Funding (requested) | $189,000 |
| Public Facilities | $25,000 |
| Total Project Funding | $214,000 |
Location:
1135 Washington Street
West Newton, MA 02465
Goals:
Metro West Collaborative Development and Civico Development have partnered to work with the City to develop 43 units of new affordable housing at the former West Newton Armory site. The new units will be available to households with incomes below 60% AMI, with some units set aside for households at 30% AMI, and include 15 one-bedroom, 21 two-bedroom, and 7 three-bedroom units, all of which will be visitable and five of which will be fully accessible. The project also includes the preservation and restoration of the historic head house of the building into office, gallery and community space.
Funding:
$3,000,000 Newton CPA Funds (Requested)
$930,000 Newton CDBG Funds (Requested)
$118,000 Newton HOME Funds (Requested)
$890,000 Newton Inclusionary Zoning Funds (Requested)
$222,000 WestMetro HOME Funds (Expected)
$11,485,627 LIHTC Equity (Federal 4%) Funds (Expected)
$2,064,000 State LIHTC Equity (Expected)
$1,000,000 State Housing Stabilization Funds (HSF) (Expected)
$500,000 State (HIF) (Expected)
$906,253 State (CBH) (Expected)
$1,000,000 State Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) (Expected)
$886,933 State Transit Oriented Development Fund (TOD) (Expected)
$41,500 Passive House Incentives (Requested)
$4,800,000 Permanent Loan (Expected)
$27,844,313 Total Project Cost
Contacts:
Metro West Collaborative Development
79-B Chapel St.
Newton, MA 02458
Sharone Small, Director of Real Estate
sharone@metrowestcd.org 617-465-2433
Civico Development, LLC.
40 Jackson Rd. Ste. 3200
Worcester, MA 01608
Taylor Bearden
tbearden@civicodevelopment.com 617-249-3807
Funding Process:
January 21, 2022 - Pre-Proposal submitted for CPC review at February 8 meeting including site photos and map information. The RFP and RFP Executive Summary are available review and there is additional information on the project and the City's RFP process available on the project webpage.
February 8, 2022 - Pre-Proposal Presentation to the CPC by MWCD and Civico Developers. The CPC unanimously voted to invite the applicants to submit a full proposal at the end of the project discussion and review.
March 25, 2022 - Full Proposal submitted for joint public hearing with the CPC and Planning Board on April 12, 2022. Additional materials submitted include the Metro West Community Development Financial Statements for 2019 and 2020.
March 29, 2022 - Three additional Letters of Support submitted for CPA and City Funding proposal.
April 12, 2022 - Full Proposal Presentation made at a Joint Public Hearing held by the CPC and Planning and Development Board. The CPC unanimously votes to recommend full funding of the project at the close of the public hearing.
July 11, 2022 - City Council Order issued approving full funding of the project as recommended.
2020 Pre-Development Project - Phase II Environmental Assessment
Goals:
The State has offered the City an opportunity to purchase the former West Newton Armory building and site for use as a future 100% affordable housing development. To move forward with the purchase of the site for $1, the City must complete a Phase II environmental assessment, a noise assessment, and execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC). These steps are required by HUD for the purchase of the property, and will also assist with the future development of the site as the City anticipates seeking federal HUD funds to support the project once the RFP process has been completed and a qualified affordable housing developer chosen for the project.
Funding:
$21,270 Newton CPA Funds
$20,000 State (DHCD) Grant Funds
$41,270 Total Project Funding (Initial Phase)
Contacts:
Lara Kritzer, Director of Housing and Community Development
Planning and Development Department
Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue
Newton, MA 02459
Barney Heath, Director
Planning and Development Department
Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue
Newton, MA 02459
Funding Process:
February 12, 2021 - Proposal submitted for funding the Phase II Environmental Assessment. Pre-Proposal documents include:
- Cover Letter from Director Barney Heath
- Pre-Proposal Application
- West Newton Project Summary
- West Newton Armory Feasibility Study Final Report (Dec. 16, 2020), prepared by Affirmative Investments
March 9, 2021 - Presentation made at the CPC Public Hearing. CPC recommends full funding of the project at this time.
March 17, 2021 - CPC Recommendation sent to City Council for review.
April 26, 2021 - Project Presentation to Finance Committee. Finance Committee unanimously recommends project funding to City Council.
May 3, 2021 - City Council Order approves full funding of project.
West Newton Cinema
Address:
1296 Washington Street
West Newton, MA 02465
Current Project Goals:
The West Newton Cinema Foundation requests funds to be spent on the ongoing, multiphase project to plan the rehabilitation of the historic building so that it can support film programming, arts education, and live performance for Newton and the greater Boston community.
The scope of the current phase of work, with the goal of building stabilization, include:
-
roof replacement
-
the replacement and repair of all egress doors
-
electric service upgrade
-
interior and exterior insulation
-
upgraded water service
-
interior work in the lobby and vestibule that will address water damage
Funding Requested:
|
CPA Funding Requested |
$1,997,000 |
|
Other Funding |
$1,997,000 |
|
Total Project Cost |
$3,994,000 |
Feasibility Study
January 2024 - Pre-Proposal Form submitted for initial review of funding request at February 13th CPC Meeting. Below are the supporting materials:
September 2024 - Full Proposal submitted for the adjusted funding request.
October 2024 - CPC approved the full proposal for recommendation to City Council
Building Stabilization Phase
August 2025 - Full Proposal submitted for building stabilization request.
September 2025 - CPC approved the full proposal for recommendation to City Council.
Archived Projects
Below is a spreadsheet on archived CPA projects. Please note that this page is being updated. Prior projects will continue to be added until 06/01/2026.