Natick Gets $80K From MassDOT For Center Upgrades

NATICK, MA — Natick has won a nearly $80,000 MassDOT this grant that will be used to upgrade streets and sidewalks in the downtown area.

Natick's $78,750 Shared Winter Streets and Spaces program grant was one of 36 given to cities and towns across the state on Thursday. The program is intended to help communities and transit agencies upgrade walking, biking and transit to support commerce and outdoor activity.

Natick will use the grant to "install street furniture, decorative lighting, and public art for permanent outdoor shared spaces on public roadways in Natick Center to make the area more welcoming for visitors traveling by foot, bike and commuter rail," according to MassDOT.

MassDOT launched the shared spaces grant program last June as part of an effort to help the state reopen coming out of the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Natick got a $25,000 grant in the first round of the program last July.

The state announced about $5.3 million in grants on Thursday alone, part of more than $26 million given out to date.