RE R V RE EVERE E R Vol. 34, No.28 -FREEREE YOUR LOCAL NEWS & SPORTS ONLINE. SCAN HERE! D OCTE CAT AT www.advocatenews.net Revere Celebrates Fourth of July Fun for All Free Every Friday 781-286-8500 Friday, July 12, 2024 Suffolk Downs development “not stalled,” says HYM Developer O’Brien Sunday Globe story sets off uneasiness over new high school funding By Barbara Taormina A story published in Sunday’s edition of The Boston Globe that put Suffolk Downs in the spotlight set off a citywide buzz in Revere. City Council President Anthony Cogliandro fi gures about 100 people sent him a copy of staff writer Andrew Brinker’s article about the residential construction industry and the troubles developers are facing. Brinker used Suff olk Downs as a symbol for the industry struggling with escalating material and labor costs as well as spiking interest rates. Ward 1 Councillor Joanne HAPPY FOURTH: These happy youngsters rallied behind Old Glory during the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration at the A.C. Whelan School last Thursday. Shown from left to right, are: Penelope Rojas, 11, Rosalyn Rojas, 9, Alyssa Diorio, 9, Danna Melo, 9, and Stella Rojas, 4. See photo highlights on page 10. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Local seniors gather for Independence Day Events McKenna said she received about 20 “told-you-so” emails from residents. In the article, Brinker described Suffolk Downs as a “sea of open land,” without workers, trucks or noise. “Three years after Suffolk Downs won city approvals, there was supposed to be a lot more going on by now on the nearly four dozen other buildings that will eventually rise at the 161-acre property. But housing construction at the site is on hold…” wrote Brinker. When asked if that was an accurate description of Suffolk Downs, HYM Cofounder and CEO Tom O’Brien said, “No, No, No, absolutely not, no way.” O’Brien said work Tom O’Brien HYM CEO (HYM website) has been ongoing and crews have been involved in infrastructure projects and fi - nal touches on the completed building where leases are now being signed. O’Brien said The Globe story was a fair description of the industry, which, he added, is in recession. He said HYM is working on agreements with the trades and labor organizations to make sure the numbers align with commitments to investors. For Revere, the worry is that revenue from Suffolk Downs is tied to the new high school and the city’s ability to pay for it without increasing taxes or calling for a proposition 2? override. “Tax revenue plays a huge O’BRIEN | SEE Page 4 HAPPY FOURTH: Revere seniors enjoyed theSenior Center July 4 Spectacular at St. Anthony of Padua Parish last Wednesday.Shown from left to right, are: Ward 4 City Councillor Paul Argenzio, School Committee member John Kingston, School Committee member Anthony Caggiano, Councillor-At-Large Juan Jaramillo, Michael Prizio, Deb Peczka DiGiulio, Ward 5 City Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya, Marian Maff eo, Regina Ferrara, Nina DeFreitas, Ann Eagan, Councillor-At-Large Anthony Zambuto, and Councillor-At-Large Robert Haas, representing State Senator Lydia Edwards, joined seniors. See photo highlights on page 8. (Advocate photo by Tara Vocino)
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