By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – The development of the city’s Hudson Street landfill site into a multi-purpose recreation area moved a step closer at the Feb. 9 City Council meeting as the council referred Mayor Arthur Vigeant’s request for a bond for $3.1 million to the finance committee for study and recommendation.
In his communication to the council, the mayor noted that last October the city received a Parklands Acquisition and Renovation for Communities (PARC) grant through the state’s executive office of energy and environmental affairs for $400,000 to be used toward the development of the Hudson Street site.
“Over the past six months the city has been actively involved in discussions with a private party who is interested in making a significant private donation towards the project,” Vigeant said in his request to the council. “With the PARC grant, this investment has the potential to cover as much as 50 percent of our remaining costs.”
The master plan for reuse of the landfill includes a softball/baseball field, two multi-use fields, playground area, parking lot for 100-plus parking spaces, a concession stand with restroom facilities, a water bubbler, bike racks, exercise center, picnic tables, and landscaping with the addition of more than 60 trees and shrubs. Also included is a walking path loop to be developed for the project and lights to be added to extend play time on the fields.