FRAMINGHAM - The Framingham City Council held a public hearing regarding an increase to the appropriation and bond authorization for the ongoing project to renovate Mary Dennison Park.

The motion during the meeting on Tuesday, February 20, called for the appropriation of about $23.5 million for the project, in addition to the nearly $19.7 million previously appropriated by the City Council back in 2019. That would bring the total amount appropriated by the city for the project and its related costs to about $43.2 million.

The scope of work to renovate the park along Beaver Street includes the installation of a multi-use field with synthetic turf, a natural turf softball field, basketball courts, a playground and a splash pad.

Parks and Recreation Director for Framingham Jim Snyder reminded the council that Avery Dennison Corp. will be picking up some of the cost for this renovation. Their agreement with the city dictates that the company will pay for 82% of the first $14.5 million of the costs related to remediation, along with half of the remediation costs north of that $14.5 million mark. Avery Dennison will also contribute $1.5 million for response costs in the future.

Multiple state grants have been allocated for the project as well, totaling over $1.5 million, according to Snyder.

Framingham is primed to provide R.A.D. Sports with a contract following the company’s nearly $36.5 million bid for the park project, the lowest one submitted to the city. Avery Dennison would cover about $13.4 million for the contractor bid, according to documents provided to the City Council.

As the city continues to work alongside state officials, Snyder told councilors he was confident in Mary Dennison Park’s future.

“We think we’re at a very good place right now,” Snyder said.

“We have solid numbers…With this appropriation, we’ll be prepared to go ahead and issue a letter to award.”

City Council members expressed their desire to keep any additional possibility for funding sources open, though they mentioned that they are excited to see the project—which began back in 2014—make significant strides.

“The grant action alone in the packet is great…but I also think it says so much about our community that we’re willing to make the investment,” District 4 City Councilor Michael Cannon said.

Councilors voted unanimously in favor of the second reading for the project’s appropriations.