THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 24, 2019 Page 3 Malden’s downtown revitalization heads into the home stretch Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 Lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net By Barbara Taormina T he city’s new downtown centerpiece, the J Malden Center, is finally coming into focus. The Jefferson Apartment Group (JAG), the company developing J Malden Center, formerly known as Jefferson at Malden Center, announced this week that two businesses have signed leases for retail space in the sprawling mixed-use development. Tenants are expected to move into the fi rst fi nished wave of the project’s 320 apartments early this summer. But Malden’s new city hall condo, which was originally slated to open sometime this fall, will not be ready for business until the beginning of next year. “Two businesses have signed leases and two others are moving toward finalizing agreements,” said Strategic Planner and Parking Department Director Ron Hogan. Medford resident Heather Schmidt will be opening Landsmith, a gourmet coff ee shop and café that will cater to outdoor adventurers with programs and events on cycling, running and other outdoor activities. “I could not be more excited to launch my business on Pleasant Street,” said Schmidt, a pastry chef who co-founded Union Square Donuts, Somerville’s artisan donut shop. “I am passionate about running and biking, coffee and community – the cornerstones of our business,” she said. Lynn resident Shanel Anderson will be joining Schmidt and expanding her business, Soul City Yoga, with a second location in Malden. Anderson said Soul City Yoga was founded as a community space where people could center, achieve personal growth and connect with their neighbors. “Our new location at the J Malden Center will enable us to achieve and surpass that goal,” said Anderson. “We are honored to be on the Shown above is the architect’s rendering of the J Malden Center that will feature approximately 24,000 square feet of street level retail space. front lines of reinvigorating this community with local businesses and familiar faces.” JAG Senior Vice President Sandi Silk said her company knows it is important to have locally owned, community-focused businesses in the project’s retail spaces along Commercial and Pleasant Streets. “These two women-owned, entrepreneurial businesses represent what is so deeply authentic and exciting about this new phase for downtown Malden, and we are thrilled to have had a hand in the process,” said Silk. The J Malden Center will have roughly 24,000 square feet of street-level retail space with footprints that range between 2,500 and 5,000 square feet, so there are only a few spaces left to lease. “There’s been no shortage of interest,” said Hogan, who added that all the companies discussing possible leases with JAG are good businesses that will be “additive to the downtown.” Meanwhile, prospective tenants interested in renting a studio or a one- or two-bedroom apartment can sign up for information and updates on the J Malden Center website. “They’ll lease the fi rst places that are ready, which should be early this summer,” said Hogan, adding that the first tenants will move in while JAG completes the rest of the units and the 30,000 square feet of common space that includes a pool, lawn area, pergolas, fi re pits and a roof deck. Work is now moving along on Malden’s new 50,000-square foot city hall condo. The city paid JAG $2.5 million for the three-story empty shell and borrowed $5 million to design, equip and furnish the space. “We are still targeting a January occupancy,” said Hogan, adding that JAG turned the building over to the city a little later than expected. “The delays were largely due to weather and the remediation of the old building,” he added. But the city picked up the keys last month and, according to Hogan, “So far, so good.” As all the pieces of the J Malden Center fall into place, Mayor Gary Christenson has been able to fi nally envision the outcome of a long, complicated project that has been at the heart of his administration. “Reopening Pleasant Street to bring additional life to downtown was an important goal when I fi rst took offi ce,” he said. “With City Hall construction underway for a January occupancy, retailers formalizing commitments and the reopened street to be accessible in just a few short months, the future is bright.” ENCORE CASINO DRIVING OPPORTUNITY!! Everett Car Service has exclusive rights to pick up all visitors in front of new $2.6B Encore Casino. Well over 40,000 visitors estimated daily and Everett Car is the only license holder in the city to service the Casino. Major opportunity to make money driving taxi – 50/50 split. 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