Brightfields - One of the Mayor’s most challenging problems has been the rejuvenation of sites previously used by heavy industry but now dormant, vacant and designated as contaminated or otherwise unsuitable for conventional development. Due to various levels of exposure to hazardous or other unhealthy contaminants these sites are known as ‘brown fields’. Working through the Mayor’s Planning Office, Lori Colombo has brought together the country’s largest supplier of solar electric panels, Spire Corporation, to utilize one of these ‘brownfields’ formerly the location of the now defunct Brockton Gas Works manufacturing plant. Through the responsible cooperation of the present site owner, Bay State Gas Co. and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, a unique partnership has formed bringing the Spire Corp. to the 10 acre parcel off Grove Street to participate in the state funded study. The state has a $200 million fund to determine the feasibility of alternative sources of power, such as a solar field. This field should bring 4to 5 megawatts of electricity to the regional electric grid. About 1500 homes could be powered by this electricity. Recently, Ms. Colombo conducted an informational session for local residents and abutters at the Plouffe Elementary School on Crescent Street to explain the purpose of the study and the activity that would betaking place on the now cleaned and capped parcel. At a recent meeting of  residents who live near the site,  people were interested in the overall appearance of the area and the aesthetics of the landscaping.Concern was expressed as to the present state of the fencing encircling the former Brockton Gas Works site. Residents want to see greater emphasis placed on masking the solar panels and field from view using meshed or lattice fencing.

Baseball Stadium - Jack Yunits’ Field of Dreams became a reality when the Governor, Jane Swift, released $6 million of state revenue set aside in 1997 for a Southeastern Regional Convention Center and Baseball Stadium Project. The $17 million project was funded by a combination of revenue spurred by a $2 million donation by the Alfred Campanelli Construction Companies. The Brockton City Council approved $8 million in bonds and an Independent Professional Baseball League committed $1 million toward stadium equipment. "This is the most exciting investment in the city in as long as I can remember," Mayor Yunits said following the meeting with the Governor at her State House office in the Fall of 2001. Brockton welcomed The ROX in May of last year to its new facility and they have been rock’ n and roll’ n ever since. Two players from last year’s roster signed Major League offers for 2003. 

The Governor said the project made great sense, the backers "put together a very persuasive case that this is not only going to be good economic development for Brockton and the region, but it also benefits the Commonwealth. At the time the Governor said she thought the 12,000 square-foot conference center would fill a need in the Greater Brockton and Plymouth region. Campanelli Stadium and Shaw’s Conference Center are sited on a five acre parcel of land that was part of the Brockton High School campus. The Shaw’s Conference Center is on Lexington Avenue behind the West Side Fire Station. For information call 508-559-7090. For ROX information call 508-559-7000. First Home Game is May 30th. College Collaborative - Phase 1 to open in September, 2001. Two-Way Traffic - State funds allocated to start project in Spring, 2002. The engineering design work has begun. Soccer Fields - Fall, 2003. New Schools - In the summer of 2002, it is expected that the state will approve the funding of three additional schools, including the East side "twin" schools (a junior high and an elementary school on Quincy St.), that will contain new soccer and baseball fields and an outdoor running track. Library - Construction on the renovation of the Main Public Library building downtown began in July 2001. Funding for the $11 million project has come from a variety of state, city and private resources. The City Council approved bonding of $5.5 million . Through the State Board of Library Commissioners the Public Library Construction Program has provided $3.1 million. The Brockton Library Foundation, a private non-profit group has set a goal of $3 million to raise. "He (Mayor Yunits) has probably been the biggest supporter of this project, even before there was a project. He values a public library and what it means to a community and it's a cornerstone to his downtown revitalization plan. There wouldn't have been a project if it hadn't been for the Mayor," said Library Director Dianne Pacheco in a recent interview with Banker & Tradesman Journal. Salisbury Brook Park - Future Expansions, Greenway, and Historic Trail New Parking Garage - Across from City Hall, feasibility study and design plans have been completed for a new deck at the downtown Intermodal Center. Energy Plant - Sited and permitted. VA Hospital Theater - Restoration grant application pending in Washington, D.C. Stonehill College - Campus outreach to Brockton.   Housing Initiatives - The increased value of Brockton's housing market has driven new construction of single family homes to it's highest level in 25 years, exciting a return of the middle class to Brockton. The Mayor's office has likewise filed ordinances with the City Council in hopes of driving new construction of "over 55" communities in this City.  Additionally, the city is working to develop a strategy that would permit conversion of the unused factories downtown into mixed use development, including the construction of new apartment units that are predominantly market rate. The city's plan would be to encourage a percentage of affordable units at 80% of mean income (Brockton's median income set in March of 2001, by DHCD was $61,300.00) with the highest percentage being market by way of private investment coupled with state tax credits. The city will apply for state grants to enhance greenspace and parking. These units will be designed for working couples and individuals, 'empty nesters' and retirees. Because Brockton has a fair percentage of affordable units presently, the city's housing strategy has shown a deficiency in available units for people in the $35,000 - $50,000 income range. This redevelopment will fill that void. As to affordable units, Roosevelt Heights (108 units) will open in the Spring of 2002. The Walkover Building (40 units affordable/40 units market), is under construction. The city's infill program geared towards the construction of new home ownership opportunities with BHA rentals on some lots has commenced. Renovation projects at Pine Estates, Battles Farm and Davis Commons including the opening of new community centers is 90% completed, positively impacting over 1,000 units. ** The Mayor of the City of Brockton, is pleased to announce the availability of new homes through the Pleasant/Prospect Homeownership Program.  The Program has been created by the City of Brockton to create new affordable opportunities for families to purchase their first home in Brockton and to bring the stability of increased homeownership into the Pleasant/Prospect Street neighborhood.  More...    The Facts About The new Pay As You Throw Program  Year over year figures are dramatic! Nothing proves a course correct more than facts.  Since July of 2001 when BFI took over the solid waste removal responsibility for Brockton they have reported the monthly weight figures for all categories of solid waste. The total tonnage for this weight for the year of 2001 ending last July, before Pay As You Throw was introduced was 37,389 tons (74.8 million pounds). The figure for 2002 (Jun-Jul) is 28,453 tons (56.9 million pounds). That's greater than a 23% reduction in solid waste tonnage, year over year. That's nearly a 9000 ton drop in total solid waste removed from Brockton streets.  Additionally, the figures for recycling increased dramatically. Total increase for the year for all recyclables was 154%. The tonnage for 2001 recyclables was 1849 tons of which 1532 tons were paper and 317 tons of commingled waste last year. Totals for 2002 were 3625 tons of paper and 1074 tons of commingled respectively for a total of 4699 tons. The cost of solid waste removal continues to go up. The economic underpinnings that impact the escalating costs are due to new and extensive, regulations and restrictions set by State and Federal authorities which dictate what can and cannot be disposed of at curbside, in landfills and transfer stations. The State has decided to close landfills and to restrict the number of incineration licenses. Brockton had enjoyed the benefit of a very favorable eleven-year trash contract. Over the life of that contract, the increased charge which Waste Management/Chambers was able to impose on the city was restricted by a government inflation index. From FY1991 to FY2001, the increase to Brockton was only 12 per cent even though the increase in cost to the vendor was probably three to four times that amount.  During the eleven years of service under the previous vendor, Waste Management/Chambers, and the two prior years of service by the city's own workers, the city of Brockton never adjusted the trash fee to reflect the incidental increased costs, year over year. Instead, the City Council acted within its authority to absorb the elevated costs through the real estate property taxes. The trash fee in 2001 accounted for $2.5 million of the actual $4.5 million charged by Waste Management for its cost of service. If the city continued to dispose of everything without restriction, the total cost probably would be about $8.0 million. Incorporating the "Pay As You Throw" concept, and becoming the 100th community to do so, the city was able to receive $100,000 grant assistance toward its effort to reduce the volume of trash and exploit the savings accrued by adopting this more efficient and environmentally friendly program.