On Tuesday, October 23rd, I went before the City Council to brief them on my proposed plans to relocate City Hall. I am thankful to the council for agreeing to my suggestion to issue Requests for Proposals (RFP) to explore responses to where we could relocate City government services.
As many of you know, I have long advocated moving City Hall from its current site. Beyond the fact that it’s difficult to get to and navigate once inside, the capital costs to rehabilitate the building is upwards of $15M and the ongoing operating costs will remain extremely expensive to stay.
If we receive an RFP that meets our needs and the council and I decide to accept them and leave City Hall, we will then begin a separate process seeking proposals for the redevelopment of 200 Pleasant Street. What is important to remember is that this RFP will be based upon resident input gathered from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council grant we received in partnership with the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
All of these steps are efforts towards achieving our ultimate goal, which is to stimulate economic development and strengthen the downtown businesses. Situated next to the MBTA's fifth busiest Orange Line stations, I believe the downtown area will be invigorated by the reconnection of Pleasant Street and the removal of the city hall building, giving the nearly 12,000 daily riders who use the Malden Center T Stop much easier access to our restaurants and stores.
I will update you once we get something back concrete. In the meantime, please provide us with any comments or suggestions at info@cityofmalden.org.
Sincerely,
GARY CHRISTENSON
Mayor, City of Malden
Mayor, Hope all is well at 200 Pleasant St.
ReplyDeleteReconnecting Pleasant Street to Florence and the other end of Pleasant Street would be exciting.
I just hope that efforts on infusing downtown with new shops, restaurants and bars are also a priority. A renewed access way does nothing if it brings you to the same stagnant area.
I'm not saying that more bars/pubs is the answer, but we should look to why squares like Arlington Downtown, Davis Sq. and Kendall Sq. are so bustling and emulate that.
All Seasons, Hugh's and District 9 are leading the way, but as a city, we should be doing more to encourage others to invest in downtown. We're missing quality retail options. Plenty of jewelery and sub shops, but well run retail outlets seem to me to be a vital first step to bringing more crowds to Malden Square.
I hear repeatedly from the 'older' folks that the square used to be a great hangout. As you know, Malden Square had the draw of a major retail store and a theatre. Malden needs that back. We need to find ways to bring the excitement about the downtown back to Malden.
Of course, I have no real answers/suggestions for you about how to do that, ... just had a little time this morning and wanted to shoot you a thought.
Take care of yourself and treat yourself to a food truck delight. LOVE THOSE by the way.