Page 12 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 31, 2024 Building Community Momentum: The future of Maplewood Square By Joy Pearson P lans have begun to make improvements to the historic Maplewood business district in Malden. A Maplewood Square Committee of Ward 5 and Ward 6 residents has been following up on the research done in spring 2023 by the ‘Initiative on Cities,’ a capstone project for Master’s students of the Boston University Metropolitan College in City Planning and Urban Affairs. Maplewood Square is 1.5 miles east of Malden Center down Salem Street. Its name dates back to 1853 when Joshua Webster who, as surveyor, connected the Saugus railroad line to the Boston and Maine railroad.In the mid-nineteenth century, Webster sought to establish a community in the area including 200 maple trees.And so it was done.Businesses grew; changes occurred. Ten years ago, the old Saugus railroad was transformed and made into a bike and pedestrian path that crosses Maplewood Street.Since then, the path has been part of the Northern Strand Bike Path through the Bike to the Sea organization.It is well-used by locals and by New England bicyclists. Then and now, Maplewood was built around transportation.Soon MBTA bus route changes will add to the improvements the Maplewood Square Committee is making. The present business district — Salem Street at Maplewood Street to the south and its extension Lebanon Street to the north — is getting upgraded through the leadership of Ward 6 Councilor Steve Winslow and a seven-person Maplewood Square Committee. Improvements will be ongoing for years. Some will need City of Malden Departments for structural changes. All will need funding. The committee is basing its attention on the research of the BU students. The students and their lecturers, Emily Keyes Innes and David Valecillos, met with Maplewood residents (Wards 5 and 6) in three forums at the Salemwood School between February 2 and May 1, 2023. “I am struck with the potential for the space [Maplewood Square], with the beautiful historic buildings and local pride,” said Daniel Milbrandt, Master’s tensively.They spoke to attendees of the forums and got ideas. They used the Fall 2022 Ward 5 and Ward 6 survey in their research. They spoke to all business owners. They researched data about Malden in general. They, then, incorporated all their ideas into nine individual project displays presented on May 1, 2023. While identifying current conditions, students mentioned deficits that combine to limit the In addition to the railroad line that ran nearby, Maplewood Square was served by a trolley. Looking west down Salem Street, perhaps in the 1930s; the Converse Building is on the left. (Photo courtesy of Jack Fusco – source unknown) A view of the northeast corner of Maplewood Square at the intersection of Salem St. and Lebanon Street. (Photo by Kim Brookes) A view of the southeast corner of Maplewood Square from the intersection of Salem and Maplewood Street. (Photo by Kim Brookes) Residents of Ward 5 and 6 were surveyed to allow further input into the initiative to improve Maplewood Square. student of City Planning. Innes said that this Capstone Course got “the students out from behind their desks, some working in a community for the first time.” The students in BU’s Metro Bridge Program identified four main areas for their research and recommendations — Economic Development, Demographics, Infrastructure, and Housing — researching each of them exSquare’s ability to have a thriving neighborhood center.Students said that there is a need for ‘an anchoring business in the Square’ that would attract more foot traffic and help the current businesses grow. The research into the Economic Development and Demographics areas resulted in an overview of Malden and Maplewood with data and statistics.Infrastructure will need Seasonal artwork now graces the windows of Fortune Corner, a restaurant anchored in the center of Maplewood Square. Naomi Kahn, artist and Maplewood Square Committee member, is spearheading this initiative to liven up the square with art. (Left photo by Joy Pearson, right photo by Kim Brookes) The southwest corner of Maplewood Square is anchored by the 1896 F.E. Converse Lodge building. A ‘Welcome to Maplewood’ mural is planned for the rear exterior, which you will see as you enter Maplewood Square travelling east on Salem Street. (Photo by Kim Brookes) Master’s students in City Planning and Urban Design from Boston University’s capstone course “Initiative on Cities” project. (Photo by Joy Pearson) to be addressed by the City of Malden.Housing is an area that the residents of Maplewood themselves can help to address through accessory dwelling units (ADU’s), as well as an overlay of apartments above existing businesses. These are housing options that are “great for not altering the character of the neighborhood and great for creating affordable homes,” said Zack Jones, Master’s of City Planning student. Students mentioned the 2021 Rapid Recovery Plan plans to BUILDING | SEE PAGE 13
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