City Council - Ways & Means Committee Hearing on Docket #1927

November 24, 2025
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City Council - Ways & Means Committee Hearing on Docket #1927

Meeting Date: November 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM Governing Body: Boston City Council - Ways & Means Committee Type of Meeting: Committee Hearing Attendees:

  • Councilor Brian Worrell (Chair)
  • Councilor Erin Murphy
  • Gigi Monden (Planning Department, Real Estate, Capital Construction)
  • David (Program Coordinator, Community Mitigation Fund)
  • Omar Koshaka (Budget Director, Public Works and Transportation)

Executive Summary: The Ways & Means Committee convened to discuss Docket #1927, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend a $2,006,007 Community Mitigation Grant from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. This grant will fund various initiatives, including the Harborwalk Extension Project in Little Mystic Channel, public safety enhancements through the Boston Police Department (BPD), and intersection improvements and blue bag stations in Charlestown, all aimed at mitigating the impacts of a gaming establishment. The discussion highlighted the allocation of funds, the history of the grant, and the specific projects it supports, with a focus on public safety, traffic mitigation, and recreational opportunities.

I. Call to Order and Introductions

  • Councilor Brian Worrell, District 4 City Councilor and Chair of the Boston City Council Committee on Ways and Means, called the hearing to order at 10:00 AM.
  • The hearing was recorded and live-streamed on boston.gov/City-Council-TV and broadcast on Xfinity Channel 8, RCN Channel 82, and Fios Channel 964.
  • Written comments could be submitted to ccc.wm.boston.gov.
  • Public testimony was scheduled for the end of the hearing, with individuals allotted two minutes to speak. Sign-up was available via Karishma Chauhan at karishma.chouhan@boston.gov.

II. Docket #1927: Message and Order Authorizing the City of Boston to Accept and Expend a Community Mitigation Grant

  • Docket Number: 1927
  • Description: Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend $2,006,007 in the form of a Community Mitigation Grant awarded by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
  • Administration: To be administered by the Office of Budget Management.
  • Purpose: To fund offset costs related to the construction and operation of a gaming establishment.
  • Sponsor: Mayor Michelle Wu.
  • Referral Date to Committee: October 29, 2025.

III. Administration Presentation

  • Gigi Monden (Planning Department, Real Estate, Capital Construction):
    • The Planning Department will receive approximately $1,000,000 of the funding for the Harborwalk Extension Project in the Little Mystic Channel.
    • This project will construct the missing portion of the Harborwalk near the terminal and Chelsea streets in Charlestown.
    • The goal is to mitigate negative effects of casino construction by creating outdoor recreation opportunities and walkways.
    • This is the first time the Harborwalk project has applied for this grant.
    • The project is in the design phase, with bidding expected by spring.
    • Total project cost is around $5,000,000, with $1,000,000 from this grant and additional funding from private sources and a Mass Trails grant.
    • The project is expected to be completed by 2027, and the department will not apply for this grant again in the next round for this specific project.
  • David (Program Coordinator, Community Mitigation Fund):
    • Manages $2,600,000 allotted to the City of Boston, with $622,000 specifically for public safety.
    • Works with BPD and the University of Boston to ensure proper reporting, research, and internal stakeholder engagement.
    • Funds are dispersed for advanced training, technology, resources, and cross-jurisdictional public safety engagement.
    • For FY26, the $622,000 public safety allotment supports advanced training and operational readiness for BPD units, specifically the human trafficking unit, crimes against children unit, Boston Regional Intelligence Center, and BFS Bureau of Health Services.
    • This funding helps mitigate impacts involving human trafficking, organized crime, financial crime, drug distribution, child exploitation, cyber threats, and traffic-related public safety concerns.
    • This grant operates separately from the city's operating budget and is funded through state-administered casino revenue.
    • The city has been receiving these funds since 2015, stemming from the expanded gaming act.
  • Omar Koshaka (Budget Director, Public Works and Transportation):
    • The Public Works and Transportation department submitted two components for this grant.
    • Partially funds or completely funds intersection improvements at Chelsea Street and Terminal Street.
    • Adds four blue bag stations in Charlestown.
    • Both initiatives aim to mitigate safety and traffic issues resulting from the casino.

IV. Councilor Questions and Discussion

  • Councilor Erin Murphy:
    • Expressed support for the grant and the goal of equitable walkways in all neighborhoods.
    • Had no specific questions.
  • Councilor Brian Worrell:
    • Question: How many years has the city been receiving this grant, and what are the next phases of investment?
      • Response (David): The city has been receiving funds since 2015, stemming from the expanded gaming act. The public safety allotment for FY26 is $622,000, supporting advanced training and operational readiness for BPD units (human trafficking, crimes against children, Boston Regional Intelligence Center, BFS Bureau of Health Services) to mitigate various crimes and traffic concerns.
      • Response (Gigi Monden): For the Harborwalk project, this was the first application. The project is in design, will be bid out by spring, and completed by 2027. The project cost is approximately $5,000,000, with $1,000,000 from this grant and additional funds from private sources and a Mass Trails grant. No further applications for this project are planned.
    • Question: What support is currently provided for individuals struggling with gambling addiction?
      • Response (Gigi Monden): The Harborwalk project focuses on traffic mitigation and recreation, not gambling addiction.
      • Response (David): This specific grant does not address gambling addiction. Its focus is on public safety mitigation efforts related to traffic, congestion, human trafficking, child crimes, and gang violence stemming from the casino.
    • Question: Have there been any trends in crime (increase or decrease) in the area over the past 10 years?
      • Response (David): Can speak more to the human trafficking aspect, noting its impact on streets and vulnerability. The human trafficking unit is a significant partner and has received funding over the last 10 years. Specific numbers can be provided later.
      • Response (Maria): Since the casino opened, there has been a marked increase in transportation safety issues, requiring extra patrols on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday due to high traffic. There have also been some collisions. The BPD works closely with other jurisdictions, including Mass State Police and Gaming Police, on activities related to various crimes.
      • Response (David): Starting in 2025, the grant transitioned from a direct grant to BPD to a block grant managed by the budget office, which subcontracts to multiple city agencies. This change led to the coordination of a law enforcement task force involving BPD and four to five other agencies to address broader, networking-type crimes (cyber, etc.) and incident report crimes. There has been a slight increase in some crime categories, but the focus is on the "bigger picture" broader crime.
    • Question: What traffic issues are anticipated if a new stadium, especially a year-round dome, is built in the area?
      • Response (David): The Department of Transportation would be better equipped to address this, as they would likely be involved in mitigation planning. Area A would typically require a full call-out if more resources are needed to mitigate traffic. This would necessitate coordinated planning with the Department of Transportation and other city agencies to conduct an impact study. This involves internal BPD agencies and external coordination with other law enforcement agencies for broader crime categories. The answer is "planning and coordination well ahead of time" for these impacts.

V. Public Testimony

  • No individuals signed up for public testimony.

VI. Adjournment

  • Councilor Brian Worrell thanked all participants, central staff, and IGR.
  • The hearing on Docket #1927 was adjourned.

Last updated: Nov 25, 2025

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