THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 21, 2026 Page 3 CITY COUNCIL: Councillors approve $1.5 million HUD loan application to help fund new Boathouse on Malden River Unanimous vote okays application for 15-year federal loan to pay for $4.1 million to build boathouse, salt shed in Phase Two of Malden River Works project By Steve Freker T he Malden River Works Project has been underway for the past five years, and the project will potentially receive another financial boost, following a vote of the Malden City Council. At its last meeting, Councillors voted unanimously to authorize the City of Malden to apply for a federal Section 108 loan in the amount of $1.5 milIf the loan request to the federal Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is ultimately approved, then it would be applied to Phase Two of the Malden River Works Project. In Phase Two, at a total cost of $4.1 million, included would be the construction of a new boathouse on the Malden River as well as a new salt shed for use by the Malden Department of Public Works (DPW), which is situated on the main was $12.38 million, though that number has risen since the project’s inception in the fall of 2019. Since the very first public meeting, in October 2019, the project has received over $12 million in nine grants, awards and prizes, along with designated city and state funding from various sources. As of September 2025, approximately $3 million has been spent on the project. Funding for Phase Two of the project — which includes the new boathouse and salt shed — is not yet in place, the City Council was informed by the Mayor’s letter. In addition to the requested $1.5 million HUD loan, the city is “pursuing other funding sources,” the Mayor stated. “The construction [of the boathouse and salt shed] will cost an estimated $4.1M. We are planning for an estimated $1.1M of the existing grant funding to go towards this phase,” Mayor Christenson stated in his letter to RIVER | SEE PAGE 6 If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! There is a difference between the rest and the BEST! The $12.7 million-plus Malden River Works project got a potential boost when the Malden City Council approved an application for a new $1.5 million Section 108 HUD Loan. (Courtesy/City of Malden) lion. Voting in favor of authorizing the city to apply for the loan were Councillors Peg Crowe (Ward 1), Paul Condon (Ward 2), Ryan O’Malley (Ward 4), Ari Taylor (Ward 5), Stephen Winslow (Ward 6), Chris Simonelli (Ward 7), Jadeane Sica (Ward 8), Karen Colón Hayes (at Large), Michelle Luong (at Large), Carey McDonald (at Large) and Council President Amanda Linehan (Ward 4). None were opposed. site. The boathouse would be used to provide Malden River access to the Malden High School Crew Team, among others. The salt shed would replace what is now just an open sand/salt pile in the back of the DPW yard. According to a letter delivered to the City Council from Mayor Gary Christenson, the $1.5 million HUD loan amount would be vital to the completion of the overall project, whose initial cost PLEASANT ST. TAX 175 Pleasant Street, Malden Specializing in Personal Income Tax Preparation Starting at $90. Call: (781) 324-6195 Celebrating 46 Years In Business! TONY’S AUTO BODY Call or Visit 781-321-0032 34 Sharon Street Malden, MA 02148 TONYSAUTOBODYLLC.COM COME VISIT OUR STATE OF THE ART BODY SHOP • Computerized Paint Matching (State of the Art Spray Booth) • Computerized Frame Machines • P.P.G. Refinishing System • R134 + 1234yf A/C Machines Fully Insured -RS2415 Insurance Company Approval ALL OUR WORK IS GUARANTEED! TONY BARTOLO Owner 46 Years Let Us Handle Your Next Insurance Claim. Go With the BEST It Doesn’t Get BETTER! RENTAL CARS Available
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