Reimagining MCI Framingham
J& Co Returns to Nobscot | Community Preservation Committee Wants to Hear from You! | Community Events | The Civic Week Ahead
Those lazy hazy days of summer are here, Framingham.
This is Issue 126 of The Ham’er. My, how time flies! Stay tuned later this week for my monthly list of all things happening in July in the city.
And! Don’t forget to share The Ham’er with your neighbors - friends don’t let friends not know what’s going on in their communities!
1.| Massachusetts Announces $360M Plan to Transform MCI-Framingham
After years of speculating about the future of MCI-Framingham and city leaders dreaming of the possibilities of the entire site, the Healey-Driscoll Administration crushed those dreams by announcing plans to completely revamp MCI-Framingham.
Why it matters: The $360 million plan completely reimagines MCI-Framingham as a modern rehabilitation facility, marking the largest investment in women's corrections in Massachusetts history.
MCI Framingham was built in 1877.
The big plan: The transformation will downsize the facility from 260,000 to 200,000 square feet while creating a "national model of rehabilitation and correctional innovation" that aligns with Massachusetts' record-low incarceration rates.
Major improvements planned: According to the press release, the following is part of the plan:
Modern housing: Community-oriented living units in campus-like setting
Healthcare upgrade: State-of-the-art medical and mental health treatment center with trauma-informed care
Climate control: First-ever temperature-controlled environment and air conditioning
Full electrification: Elimination of steam systems, dramatically reducing carbon footprint
Accessibility: Elevators and barrier-free design (current building lacks elevators)
Enhanced programming: Improved spaces for education, job training, and reentry services
By the numbers
$360 million: Total anticipated project investment
$20.5 million: Initial FY26-27 state capital funding
147 years old: Age of original building
218 current residents: Down from 598 operational capacity
42%: Percentage of sentenced population within 5 years of release
What's driving this: A 2022 independent study found MCI-Framingham is "oversized, physically outdated for its rehabilitative mission, and requires significant capital investment." Several sections are closed due to the age and safety of the buildings.
But wait, wasn’t it supposed to close?: Why, yes. Back in February 2020 Public Safety Secretary Tom Turco told the House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets that the Baker-Polito Administration will close the prison and move operations to the Bay State Correctional Center in Norfolk.
Then verses now: According to Turco’s testimony, $35 million was needed to establish a women’s facility at Norfolk, while $60-80 million was projected to repair Framingham.
Moratorium on new prisons: Recent legislative sessions have included bills placing a 5 year moratorium on the construction of new prisons. The most recent in this session allows for the rehabilitation of facilities, as long as it doesn’t increase the size or bed number of the current prison.
Potential for the City of Framingham?: Not since the closing of Cushing Hospital in 1991 has Framingham seen a chance to shape the future of a large parcel of state land. While the facility is not closing, shrinking the size of the facility should pique some leader’s interests. Time will tell.
The timeline: Governor Healey has directed agencies to complete the project "as expeditiously as possible," with phased construction designed to minimize disruption to current residents while maintaining essential services.
MCI-Framingham is the oldest operating correctional facility in the United States.
2.| J&Co Return to Nobscot for Meeting
Like the MBTA Communities Act, the future of the parcels on Edmands and Edgell in Nobscot has not gone away.
Back to the drawing board: J&Co, the developers who attempted getting the city to rezone and include the parcels under MBTA Communities Act, is holding a neighborhood meeting this Wednesday to “discuss conceptual housing development plans for the parcels at Edgell and Edmands”.
The meeting: A letter was sent to abutters last week inviting “residents and all interested parties” to this meeting. It takes place from 6:00pm-7:30pm in the Community Room at Heritage House (747 Water Street). Presentation starts right at 6pm.
The plans: Unknown at this time. The area is still zoned for R4 (MKF note: I wrote B4 in the email version, this is incorrect - sorry for the mistake. B4 on the brain!), which is residential construction. An assisted living facility, for example, would require a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
See you at the meeting.
3.| The Community Preservation Committee Wants to Hear from You!
Tonight the CPC holds an information session for residents, community groups, and organizations who are considering applying for Community Preservation funding.
The hybrid meeting starts at 7:00pm in the Executive Conference Room and on Zoom.
Topics will include:
The types of eligible projects in community housing, open space, outdoor recreation, and historic preservation
How to create a strong and competitive application
A step-by-step overview of the application process
Time for questions and answers
Zoom Access Information:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81706093692?pwd=alsvi2etSvRTIfwUzhKJFjbXGM09IB.I
Passcode: 282840
Community Events
Summer Concerts are Back!
Friday night concerts are back for Summer 2025! But don’t head to the Framingham Centre Common every Friday. This year concerts will be held at different locations, lile Butterworth Park and Farm Pond. Check the schedule for the correct location.
Rock on.
EV Charging Stations Webinar
Framingham is partnering with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to explore on-street electric vehicle charging solutions for residents without access to off-street parking. This initiative supports the city’s commitment to clean transportation and greener future.
Join the webinar and learn more about the city’s on-street charging station pilot and how you can provide feedback to support the process. Register here.
The Civic Week Ahead
Monday, July 7
7:00pm: Board of License Commissioners Agenda
Tuesday, July 8
1:30pm: Council on Aging Agenda
Wednesday, July 9
Thursday, July 10
5:30pm: Veterans Council Agenda
In Closing…
If you have any events, volunteer opportunities, community meetings, you want published in The Ham’er’s What’s Going on in July issue, please email it to me.
Believe in Framingham,
