LYNN NEWS ROUND-UP
SEPTEMBER 21, 2020
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City of Lynn to implement Safe Streets Project
The City of Lynn was awarded a $125,000 grant to implement the Lynn Safe Streets project. Funding was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) through the Shared Streets and Spaces grant program. The program was launched in June of 2020 to provide technical and funding assistance to support municipalities identify, design, and implement tactical interventions to transportation infrastructure to support public health, safe mobility, and renewed commerce in the context of COVID-19. Funding must be used for enhancements that can be quickly implemented and are relatively low-cost that make City streets safer for all users of the roadway.
The Lynn Safe Streets project objectives are to provide bicycle facilities in order to provide safer streets for all modes of transportation, support expanded use of non-motorized modes of transportation, and enhance transit access. The corridors have been selected to allow for quick deployment, are located in areas with a number high crash locations as identified under the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), and begin building out a bicycle network to connect downtown with the surrounding neighborhoods with key institutions like the YMCA, schools, library and City Hall. The project also seeks to implement near term, temporary measures providing protected bicycle facilities along the designated route for the Northern Strand Extension. This will provide an immediate connection to the Northern Strand trail currently under construction while design and engineering of the extension for a permanent facility is finalized. Funding will also support implementation of bicycle facilities on Neptune Boulevard, Wheeler Street, State Street, Broad Street, and includes a bus/ and bike only lane on North Common Street.
The City expects to begin implementation of the bike facilities in September, completing all work related to the project by this fall. Although new bicycle and transit facilities implemented as part of this project are near-term and temporary in nature, they are the first step in implementing permanent changes to the roadway that balance the needs of vehicles with pedestrians, bicycles, and transit users.
“We appreciate the technical assistance and funding support from MassDOT to carry out these quick build solutions in response to changed travel behaviors due to the COVID-19 pandemic,“ said Mayor Thomas M. McGee. “the bus and bike only lanes included with this project will provide safer roadways for all users, improve access to non-motorized transportation in the near-term, while laying the ground work for a future complete street network buildout throughout the City.”
Centerboard receives MOVA Grant to help sex trafficking survivors
Centerboard announced they received an $8,900 Human Trafficking Trust Fund grant from the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) for their We Rise program to assist sex trafficking survivors with obtaining and maintaining permanent housing.
“We are so grateful for this grant,” said Mark DeJoie, Chief Executive Officer of Centerboard. “This will allow us to continue addressing housing service gaps for trafficking survivors in Essex county.”
Through We Rise’s HOPE+ initiative and this grant, We Rise will support between 24 to 44 female survivors of sex trafficking with the goal of safe permanent housing. They will provide transportation for up to 20 survivors to job interviews and other services, rental assistance for about five survivors, educational support to five survivors, and gift cards for basic needs like food for ten survivors. Through these services, Centerboard is hoping to develop a foundation for these victims toward safety, stability, and long-term success.
We Rise will bring their Hope+ initiative to the communities of Lynn, Peabody, Salem, Saugus, Haverhill, Lawrence, and Gloucester through referrals.
According to the MA Interagency Human Trafficking Policy Task Force, there are very few housing services for victims in the Commonwealth.
“If you don’t have stable housing, you won’t be able to attend school, make it to mental health services, obtain employment,” said Clinical & Community Director of Youth Services Jennifer Dowd, LICSW. “If you don’t have a place to be safe to live and just be, the rest can’t follow. That’s why we are focusing on housing so we can hopefully help with this basic human need.”
We Rise brings together survivors of commercial sexual exploitation with key community allies in order to prevent, intervene against, and promote recovery from the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). Their comprehensive, survivor-informed program empowers girls and young women through community outreach, emergency intervention, and transitional and ongoing supports.
Centerboard is a community-based, non-profit charitable organization that supports families and young people through housing, access to employment, education, and financial empowerment. They work with residents, businesses, and elected officials to increase economic opportunity in the community. In addition, Centerboard is invested in Lynn’s creative economy by spearheading public art projects and running the non-profit gallery Visionspace. Through these efforts, they serve over 2,200 people each year. Centerboard believes that communities thrive when you invest in their people and places.
US Census Mobile Questionnaire Assistance tomorrow
Tuesday, Sept. 22 from 9am -12pm
100 Bennett Street outside the parent registration center at the Lynn Public Schools district administrative offices
From Mayor McGee’s office: The Lynn Public Health Department has confirmed that as of today, the number of active, confirmed positive COVID-19 cases is 602 with 4 new cases today. 4,142 Lynn residents have recovered and 117 have died. The total number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Lynn since March 21, 2020, including those who have died and recovered, is 4,861. Please visit the City of Lynn COVID-19 Data Dashboard which is updated daily.
Stop the Spread Initiative Testing has been extended until Saturday, October 31st
- Fallon Ambulance offers testing at the following locations. Walk up Only:
- Parking lot at Lynn English High School
- Mon – Sat from 11:00am until 5:00pm
- Parking Lot across from Market Basket on Federal Street
- Mon – Sat 12:00pm-6:00pm
- Residents who have been tested for COVID-19 through Fallon Ambulance can call 617-765-0176 with any questions related to your COVID-19 test results.
- Parking lot at Lynn English High School
- Call Lynn Community Health Center (781)-581-3900 to make a COVID-19 test appointment at 9 Buffum Street location
- Call Health Innovations at (774)-264-0604 to schedule a test at their mobile van location at Manning Field at 23 Ford Street. Walk-ins are also welcome.
- Mon: 10:00am until 2:00pm
- Tues: 1:00pm until 5:00pm
- Wed: 10:00am until 2:00pm
- Thurs: 1:00pm until 5:00pmPlease visit http://www.ci.lynn.ma.us/
covid19/ resources.shtml#p7GPc1_2 for more information on how you can get a free COVID-19 test in the City of Lynn until September 30th. We will continue to provide regular updates on COVID-19 through the City website (www.lynnma.gov), social media, and the Smart 911 emergency notification system (sign up at www.smart911.com).
If you have a news story that you would like to share, please contact us via email or call 781-780-9460.
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