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H 4415

United States Army Day

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 122 co-sponsors

The bill would accelerate redevelopment by exempting the Faneuil Gardens project from key procurement laws, enabling affordable housing, cultural space, and musician rehearsal spac

Adopted, returned to House with concurrence
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 4415

Summary: H.4415 — An Act relative to certain affordable housing and cultural space in the Brighton section of the City of Boston

Overview

H.4415 proposes targeted exemptions from several Massachusetts public procurement and contract laws to facilitate the redevelopment of the Faneuil Gardens site (and adjacent parcels) in Boston’s Brighton neighborhood by the Boston Housing Authority (BHA). The project aims to create new publicly-assisted, affordable and mixed-income housing, cultural space, replacement musician rehearsal space, and complementary uses. The bill was introduced in August 2025 by Representative Michael J. Moran, with local approval (mayor and city council) noted, and is being considered by the legislature with House Ways and Means involvement after initial committee review.

Main purpose and intent

  • To enable the redevelopment of the Faneuil Gardens site and surrounding parcels by exempting the project from certain general and special procurement laws that typically govern planning, design, construction, and related activities by public agencies.
  • Specifically, the bill seeks to avoid requirements under:
    • Chapter 149 (Public Works Procurement)
    • Chapter 7C (Public Construction)
    • Chapter 30, Section 39M (Public-works contracts)
    • Chapter 30B, Section 16 (procurement of certain interests)
  • The intent is to streamline contracting and acquisition processes to accelerate construction of affordable housing, cultural space, and related uses.
  • Importantly, the bill preserves applicability of Sections 26–27H of Chapter 149, implying some procurement rules continue to govern the project (e.g., certain oversight or compliance provisions within public construction law).

Key provisions

  • Location and scope:
    • Applies to redevelopment by the Boston Housing Authority of the Faneuil Gardens site between Faneuil Street and North Beacon Street, Boston (Parcel IDs 2202616000 and 2202627000) and an adjacent parcel at the southeast corner of North Beacon Street and Goodenough Street in Brighton.
    • Project components: new publicly-assisted, affordable and mixed-income housing; cultural space; replacement musician rehearsal space; and complementary uses.
  • Procurement carve-out:
    • The project shall not be subject to general or special procurement laws listed above for planning, design, construction management, construction, reconstruction, installation, demolition, maintenance, or repair by a public agency.
    • Acquisition or disposition of interests necessary to complete the project would not be subject to Chapter 30B, Section 16.
    • The project shall be subject to Sections 26–27H of Chapter 149 (i.e., certain specified provisions within public construction law still apply).
  • Effective date:
    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Boston Housing Authority, project developers, contractors and subcontractors bidding on the redevelopment, and the City of Boston.
  • Secondary: residents of Faneuil Gardens and nearby Brighton communities (through affordable housing, cultural space, and musician rehearsal space outcomes), and local cultural/arts organizations benefiting from cultural space.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Status: Reported favorably by committee and referred to House Ways and Means (as of November 12, 2025). Earlier actions include Senate concurrence (Aug 18, 2025) and a hearing scheduled for Sept 9, 2025.
  • Local approval: Petition indicates local approval was obtained (mayor and city council).
  • Effective date: Upon passage; no separate sunset or renewal provisions are specified in the text provided.

Related bills

  • HD 5035 (replaces): The House docket number corresponds to a related filing (HD 5035) accompanying the same measure.

This bill seeks to facilitate expedited redevelopment by altering procurement requirements while retaining certain Chapter 149 safeguards, with a focus on expanding affordable housing and preserving cultural space in Brighton.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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