Page 12 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2022 PROJECTS | FROM Page 1 National Real Estate Advisors, Cathexis and HYM secured a $150M construction loan for a massive Suff olk Downs redevelopment in Revere and East Boston. whose figures showed that now there is only one aff ordable housing unit available for seven people who need the help. The board has also been exploring diff erent strategies for creating aff ordable housing that best fi t Revere’s resources and needs. Mayor Arrigo proposed an inclusionary zoning ordinance that would require developers with a plan for multifamily housing of six or more units to set aside 12 percent of the total units as aff ordable housing. In exchange for adding to the affordable housing stock, developers would see a reduction in the city’s parking requirements, streamlined dimensional requirements for front and rear yards and fl oor area ratios and a waiver of certain permit fees. But the City Council shot In January, the City Council followed the School Committee and School Building Committee in approving the 30-plus-acre former Wonderland dog park property as the site of a new Revere High School. favors if we put the city into receivership for a new school,” said Councillor-at-Large Dan Rizzo. Suff olk Downs In May, Mayor Brian Arrigo and Boston elected officials joined leaders from The HYM Investment Group, Cathexis and National Real Estate Advisors, with shovels in hand, to offi cially break ground on the massive redevelopment plan at Suff olk Downs racetrack. The mixeduse development will deliver 10,000 apartments and condos, 5.2 million square feet of life science and commercial offi ce space, 450,000 square feet of retail and civic spaces and 40 acres of parks and open space. That makes the Suff olk Downs makeover the largest redevelopment project in the history of the state. While it’s diffi cult to know exactly how such a huge development will impact the city, its schools and services, Arrigo is looking at the positive numbers and predictions. The project is expected to bring 22,000 laboratory, manufacturing and retail jobs as well as 18,000 construction jobs over the next 20 years. Revere leaders see Suffolk Downs as a huge step forward for the city’s economic development and an opportunity to create a new neighborhood that connects Revere and East Boston. New days ahead for McMackin Field Mayor Brian Arrigo announced in November that Revere had acquired ownership of McMackin Park, a Little League Field that had been shut down in 2013 and left to become an overgrown mess. The park is named for local World War II hero Charles McMackin, a bombardier who died when his plane was shot down in Romania in August 1943. The park was built in 1951 with all the bells and whistles Little Leaguers loved, such as batting cages, dugouts, lighting, and a concession stand. Everybody wanted to plat at McMackin, which in its heyday was known as Little Fenway. But McMackin also had troubles. The fi eld was known for fl ooding, and games couldn’t be played there. For several years, ballplayers, young and old, called for the rehabilitation of McMackin Field, but the park was owned by Revere Little League and the city could not intervene with private property. But Arrigo, who had his eye on McMackin Field, was able to negotiate a transfer of ownership to Revere. Now plans are in the works for infrastructure repairs to bring McMackin Park back to life. Aff ordable Housing Over the summer, the City Council approved an ordinance creating the Aff ordable Housing Trust Fund to create and protect aff ordable housing units in Revere. Councillors also voted to approve Mayor Arrigo’s request for $100,000 in seed money for the new fund. Board members of the trust fund have been diving into details presented by the city’s Chief of Planning and Community Development, Tom Skwierawski, down Arrigo’s proposal, fearing that it would open the door to a wave of new development in the city’s already densely packed neighborhoods. “So now we are going to take the neighborhoods that are surviving and not having parking issues right now and we’re going to create some,” said Councillor-at-Large Dan Rizzo. “I could not be any more against this than I am.” The Aff ordable Housing Trust Fund Board has a range of other options to consider, such as deed restricted housing that keeps rents aff ordable and new construction on underutilized city property. Water’s Edge fi re Late in June, a three-alarm fi re broke out on an 11th fl oor deck at the Water’s Edge apartment complex on Ocean Avenue. Although no serious injuries were reported, there were some heroic rescues by Revere Firefi ghters and state troopers. Roughly two weeks later, city inspectors condemned the apartment building as in serious decline and unfi t for human habitation. Inspectors said the fi re and water damage were not the only problems. The building’s owner, Carabetta Properties, had failed to keep the building up to code and had about $1 million in outstanding bills since 2004. As a result of the fi re, 103 people, including small children, were displaced and left homeless. So, the city took Carabetta Properties to court and scored a victory for tenants who had been living in cars and had other unacceptable conditions. The court found that while Water’s Edge did not cause the fi re, there was evidence that damage could have been mitigated had Carabetta Properties maintained its fi re systems in accordance with code requirements. The court granted an injunction and ordered Water’s Edge to provide either hotel accommodations with kitchen facilities or Rose Napolitano – “Mrs. Revere” – a longtime community activist, pictured with her sons, had a bench dedicated in her honor outside the Revere Public library on her 90th birthday. John Powers won a special election in July, defeating Linda Santos Rosa and Ron Clark, returning to his longheld Ward 5 City Council seat. Powers was defeated previously by Al Fiore, who resigned due to health issues. Revere citizens were shocked over the passing of Councillor-at-Large George Rotondo. First Lady Daveen Arrigo is shown with family friends – Jennifer and Juanita Haas, daughter and wife, respectively, of the late mayor and city councilor Bob Haas – and Mayor Brian Arrigo during the State of the City Address. an alternative temporary apartment in a habitable unit in the Water’s Edge complex. Revere says goodbye to a maverick The city lost one of its most committed and passionate advocates in September when Councillor-at-Large George Rotondo, 55, died unexpectantly on Sept. 11. Always straightforward, plain spoken and maybe a little loud, Rotondo was elected three times as Ward 4 Councillor and fi ve times as Councillor-at-Large. Rotondo often brought his experience and expertise as a professional certifi ed nurse to City Council discussions. City Council President Gerry Visconti called for a moment of silence at the City Council meeting following the news of Rotondo’s death. “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Councillor George Rotondo. He was a colleague, a neighbor and a dear friend,” said Visconti, who added that Rotundo served the city and the council for more than 14 years in the best way he knew how. Visconti described Rotondo as a councillor who wasn’t afraid of voicing his opinion on diffi - cult issues. “The conversations we will be having in these Chambers moving forward will not be the same without him,” said Visconti.
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