Malden Vol. 28, No. 26 -FREEMalden celebrates Independence Day starting on June 28 HA TH ! ADVOCATE www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 617-387-2200 Friday, June 28 , 2019 City’s casino cash comes with conditions By Barbara Taormina N ow that Encore Boston Harbor has finally opened, the city is getting ready to cash in and collect its $1 million annual mitigation payment and put it to use on different projects and needs. The money is scheduled to roll in on or before the 90th day after Encore’s grand opening. But according to an agreement between the City of Malden and Wynn Resorts signed back in November 2013, Encore mitigation money is meant to be spent for specific improvements, most of which are tied to bolstering the casino and the surrounding area as a destination. This week, Ward 3 CouncilWINNER: Iliana Sanchez, 5, took home a top prize in the bike and stroller decorating contest at Forestdale Park during last year’s July 4th fun. (Advocate file photo) C ity Councillors host holiday activities July 3-4 at various parks Malden celebrates Independence Day at various parks around the city. Each celebration is fun and exciting and offers games, activities, food and fun for the whole family. Look below to see which one is closest to you. JUNE 28 | SEE PAGE 4 lor John Matheson proposed that the Finance Committee consider asking Mayor Gary Christenson to develop a plan that would use a percentage of the casino payout for the city’s ongoing road-paving projects. Other councillors agreed it was worth discussing, but they were also hesitant to earmark the money for a specific use since other projects and needs might arise. But as Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora pointed out, the Surrounding Community Agreement between the city and Wynn Resorts has a list of terms and conditions that dictate where the money goes. A large chunk of the cash is meant to develop Malden as a transportation hub for casino guests, employees and vendors. In addition to providing space at the MBTA station for Encore shuttle busses, and parking for employees and guests, the agreement calls for lighting and safety upgrades, signs and beautification around Malden Center Station. Encore agreed to pay the city $500,000 upfront, and $350,000 a year as a transportation hub payment. Another $100,000 a year is meant to assist local businesses with “aesthetic upgrades” so they can take advantage of opportunities generated by the casino’s use of Malden as a transportation hub. Encore also agreed to pay the city $300,000 up front and $225,000 a year for safety and aesthetic improvements to the roads that connect Everett and Malden. To enhance public safety, Encore agreed to a one-time up-front payment City Council hopes to preserve downtown buildings By Barbara Taormina T he City Council unanimously supported Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley’s resolve to ask the Historic District Study Committee to prioritize creating a local historic district in Converse Square. O’Malley explained that an official historic district would give the city the ability to preserve the buildings at 1 Salem St. and 15 Ferry St., buildings many consider part of the gateway to downtown Malden. The properties were sold during the past two years and the current owner, Alpha Business Center, LLC, applied for a permit to raze both buildings. However, the Historical Commission reviewed the demolition applications and determined that the former bank building at 1 Salem St., which was built in 1906, and 15 Ferof $200,000 and $250,000 annually for increased staffing to ensure pedestrian and traffic safety. Local businesses are also inline to receive at least $100,000 in support from Encore. The casino has agreed to hire local contractors and vendors and to provide guests with $25,000 in gift certificates and vouchers for Malden businesses. Finally, Encore agreed to make a $100,000 a year community fund payment to support requests for assistance from the city’s nonprofit groups and organizations. The Surrounding Community Agreement does say that the transportation hub, transitional road and public safety payments are exclusively in Malden’s control and can be used for whatever infrastructure improvements and mitigation measures the city decides are necessary. However, Spadafora suggested this week that the city needs to consider how far it can stretch the terms without breaking the agreement and putting the casino revenue at risk. ity to create a downtown historic district. While the city moves forward on the historic district front, the Historical Commission is also working to save the buildings through the demolition delay ordinance. The goal of the one-year delay is COUNCIL | SEE PAGE 2 The city’s demolition delay ordinance allows the city 12 months to negotiate a solution to preserve the buildings a 1 Salem St. and 15 Ferry St. (Courtesy Photo) ry St., which was built by a member of the Converse family, are historically significant. After a hearing on June 5, the commission determined that both buildings are preferably preserved which triggered the city’s demolition delay ordinance, a one-year moratorium on the demolition permit. Councillors acknowledged that establishing a historic district in Converse Square is a complicated task that involves hearings and approvals on several different levels. Time is not on the side of those who want to save the buildings. The Historic District Study Committee has been working on establishing an historic district to protect buildings or Corey Road. But they also have the author$3.39 $2.45 GALLON GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602
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