Burlington Celebrates Milestone: MWRA Connection

The Town of Burlington hosted the MWRA Connection Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on September 7th at 10:30 AM, located at the Vine Brook Water Treatment Plant at 171 Middlesex Turnpike. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and the legislative delegation spoke at this milestone event.

A collaborative effort between the Towns of Burlington and Lexington has significantly improved the region's water infrastructure. The extension of the MWRA water main through Lexington to Burlington connects the community to the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA). This substantial endeavor ensures a reliable water supply and alleviates issues that had previously impeded Burlington's potential for growth.

This infrastructure investment catalyzes transformative projects that will shape Burlington's future landscape. Two significant commercial ventures have been made possible by the vital MWRA water connection:

• 25-27 Blue Sky Drive Life Sciences Laboratory Building: This cutting-edge facility spans 270,000 square feet and embodies innovation in the field of life sciences. Proudly hosting two dynamic organizations, it will serve as the new headquarters for The Broad Institute, renowned for its groundbreaking genomics platform. Additionally, it will house Vericel, a company dedicated to advancing cell therapies to support human health.
• 4th Avenue Multi-Family Residential Project: This project promises to introduce 167 new housing units to the area, including a crucial allocation of 25 affordable units. Scheduled to attain its certificate of occupancy this fall, this development is poised to provide much-needed housing options while enhancing the community's vibrancy.

The Town Administrator, Paul Sagarino, stated, “These projects represent achievements that can come from collaboration, including the support of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the MWRA. By working together, we have unlocked new possibilities for our future.”

Mr. Sagarino also pointed to the strong public-private partnership and cooperation in Burlington that led to the success of the MWRA connection. The Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce was essential in working with the Town to spearhead the effort to secure the MassWorks grant. The MassWorks grant helped to make this project come to fruition. The Town is appreciative of the support from our business community, including Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Nordblom Company, The Gutierrez Company, Oracle, Wegman's, Boston Marriott Burlington, National Development, Riemer and Braunstein, and Ingenuity Properties.

The MWRA Connection Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to mark this milestone was held on September 7th at 10:30 AM at 171 Middlesex Turnpike.