Medford Receives Funding For Outdoor Dining, School Access

MEDFORD, MA — Medford was awarded funding in the first and third rounds of the state's Shared Streets and Spaces grant program.

The program, launched June 10, provides technical and funding assistance to help cities and towns conceive, design and implement tactical changes to curbs, streets, on-street parking spaces and off-street parking lots in support of public health, safe mobility and renewed commerce in their communities. The first round of funding, totaling $1 million, went to 12 communities. Three-quarters of the funding is being provided to Environmental Justice communities.

The first grant will help Medford expand outdoor dining options for businesses using jersey barriers, reflectors to put on top of the barriers for safety measures and temporary ADA ramps to allow for accessibility to outdoor dining and surrounding spaces. Equipment will also be funded for beautification.

Medford was awarded $15,000 in the third round to improve access to the Columbus Elementary School with a quick-launch project, including pavement markings, cones and flex posts at three intersections. Space will be reallocated from travel and parking lanes.