The Massachusetts legislature’s closeout supplemental budget includes provisions for these transfers ahead of the development of a new regional justice center for the MetroWest region.
FRAMINGHAM - A pair of land parcels currently used for the Framingham District Court will eventually be transferred from the state’s control to the city’s.
State Senate President and Senator for the 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk District Karen Spilka’s office made the announcement on Monday, November 17, as the transfer is set to be a part of Massachusetts legislators’ closeout supplemental budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
When the budget bill is signed by Governor Maura Healey, 600 and 602 Concord Street in Framingham will be primed to be transferred to municipal control once the new regional justice center along Union Avenue in Framingham opens and replaces the current district court. Spilka believes the transfer will provide the city with the opportunity to determine what, exactly, to do with those properties once the new center opens in a few years.
“The landscape of Framingham is changing with the times,” Spilka stated in a press release, “and I’m thrilled that the city will finally have the ability to determine for itself how best to maximize the potential of key sites previously utilized by the Commonwealth.”
The new facility, which will house multiple courtrooms along with the District Attorney’s office and other legal resources for the MetroWest region, is planned to be built within the Thomas Danforth Building. Back in January, Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky signed that property and its control over to the state.
The new regional justice center is estimated to replace the current Framingham District Court in 2029.
“Framingham is in the heart of the MetroWest region, and serves as an important economic, cultural, and administrative hub for many communities,” Spilka’s statement read.
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