Advocate News Online: www.advocatenews.net Vol. 32, No.6 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Free Every Friday Oak Island residents oppose Arcadia St. restorative housing Councillor suggests moving proposed facility to McKinley School By Barbara Taormina A group of more than 40 residents from the Oak Island neighborhood turned out for this week’s City Council meeting to ask for help with a new development, an educational building, proposed for 84 Arcadia St. The item was not on the council’s agenda, but Ward 5 Councillor John Powers fi led a late motion proposing that the council request that local attorney Gerry D’Ambrosio, who represents the developer, come before the council to discuss the project. Powers said he urged the development team to hold a neighborhood meeting to share the plan with residents. Those who attended the meeting learned that the development would have 24 beds for homeless people and those returning from detox. Residents were also told that it is a development being done by right and there was nothing the neighborhood could do to stop it. “I told the attorney I wanted a meeting and they had a meeting down at Santorini’s,” said Powers, adding that because of the meeting some residents assumed he was in favor of the development. “I would never be in favor of putting a homeless shelter there,” said Powers, who also mentioned the support he had given Oak Island, particularly with fl ooding and drainage issues. “I’ll work with the city’s legal department to stop this project,” HOUSING | SEE Page 18 781-286-8500 Friday, February 10, 2023 City Council subcommittee weighs in on new High School funding debate By Barbara Taormina T he City Council Ways and Means Subcommittee was back at the table trying to understand how the city will pay for a desperately needed new high school. Committee members are starting back at the site with questions about the diff erence in cost for building on the existing site or Wonderland, which the city has taken by eminent domain. This triggered a heated exchange between City Council President Patrick Keefe and other councillors who wanted more information. Keefe said the decision on the site and the taking of Wonderland are done and the committee should be focused on how to pay for the school over the next 10 to 15 years. He challenged other councillors who don’t want to move forward at Wonderland to stand up and say they don’t want a new school. And he said work was already done that shows building on the existing site will cost more money – $16 million – Housing Families to honor Mayor Arrigo at Annual Legislative Breakfast Special to Th e Advocate T he Housing Families Legislative Breakfast has named their 2023 Honoree Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo for increasing shelter opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness in the region by launching Revere’s Warming Center. The Annual Legislative Break$3.65 GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602 BRIAN ARRIGO Revere Mayor fast will take place at Anthony’s in Malden on Thursday, April 13, 2023. Also being honored is the Citizens' Housing & Planning Association for aff ordable housing advocacy and policy. The annual breakfast is an opportunity for community members to learn about how the affordable housing shortage in our region impacts community health. In addition to outlining these critical social issues, Housing Families' clients and community partners will highlight key policy and legislative initiatives that would improve housing equity and well-being for everyone across Greater Boston, particularly in Malden, Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Medford, and Melrose. This event is free and open to the public. To secure your spot, please RSVP by April 3rd. Interested in sponsoring this event? Contact Molly Abrahamson at mabrahamson@housingfamilies.org PATRICK KEEFE City Council President and time. Part of the problem at the existing site is it’s not known what’s in the ground under the building. Keefe said there is no need to go over the numbers of building at the existing site. But Councillor Gerry Visconti said since the Wonderland vote, the council was thrown a number of $499 million for the building, which puts the site in play. Brian Dakin, senior project manager for the high school building project, said the total cost for a school at the current site would be signifi cantly more than a school at Wonderland. “Going back to the existing site is going to cost you time and maybe $30 to $35 million more,” Dakin told the committee. City Solicitor Paul Capizzi was at the meeting to answer questions about the eminent domain taking. He was asked if he could guarantee the $29.5 million cost for the land. Capizzi said he couldn’t make any guarantees about what might happen if the case goes to court. He did say the city took the site in good faith and would be able to sell it if the high school switched back to the existing site. Councillors have been torn between the knowledge that the city needs a new high school and the idea it would be unfair to ask taxpayers to pick up the bill for the building. The School Building Committee is scheduled to meet this week, and cost cutting or value engineering are on the agenda. Revere Beach Partnership announces dates and theme for 2023 Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival Theme: “Celebrating 90 years of Kong” – dates: July 28–30 – on America’s fi rst public beach T he Revere Beach Partnership, in coordination with its cosponsors the City of Revere and the Department of Conservation & Recreation, is excited to announce that it will be hosting the 19th Annual Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival from July 28 to 30, 2023. “Revere Beach Partnership’s mission is to preserve and enhance America’s first public beach for the enjoyment of all. We are thrilled this world-class festival allows us to showcase the beauty of Revere Beach to people from all over the world. Visitors will marvel at not only the beautiful works of art in the sand but also the incredible revitalization that continues to transform the area along this FESTIVAL | SEE Page 15
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