Gardner Economic and Community Development Committee Meeting Jun 24 2026

The City of Gardner Massachusetts Economic and Community Development Committee met on June 24, 2026, to discuss multiple ongoing and upcoming community development projects, many funded through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). Key procurement-related updates included the completion of surveying for the South Gardner Village Center utility upgrades, preparation of bid documents for the downtown phase five project, and plans to bid out the Keizer Culvert project following a full grant award from MassDOT. The committee also reviewed the municipal surplus property plan, which inventories city-owned parcels to facilitate future housing development and redevelopment opportunities. Additionally, the committee discussed asbestos remediation at the Waterford Street Community Center and ongoing building renovations, with a $35,000 cost estimate for certain HVAC and bathroom upgrades moving forward to bidding. The meeting included presentations on the recently adopted Housing Production Plan and Municipal Surplus Property Plan, highlighting strategies to address Gardner's housing needs, zoning incentives, and partnerships with organizations like Habitat for Humanity to support affordable housing development. Motions were passed to place items on file, and the committee emphasized the importance of these plans in guiding future procurement and development efforts in the city.