THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, April 5, 2024 Page 5 Welcome to Cliftondale looking back at a proposed parking lot – way back By Janice K. Jarosz (Editor’s Note: This is the sixth in a series of articles about the upcoming “Open House” event set for the fi rst weekend in May at the old Cliftondale School – now known as The MEG – at 54-48 Essex St. in Saugus.) T he congestion at Clift ondale Square dates back to the early forties when automobiles became a little more affordable and consumers found the area very handy to do their shopping and banking. According to old newspaper accounts, business owners complained constantly about the lack of parking spots for their customers. Committees were formed to study the problem, recommendations were made and Rendering of parking plan in 1952 (Courtesy graphic to Saugus Advocate) reasonable solutions agreed upon, and it is the “reasonable solutions” part that has been the stumbling block for over 60 years. Many ideas and proposals were submitted down through the years in the hopes of making the pleasure of shopping and the joy of working in the Square safer for all concerned. The problem is that not all can agree on the best method to resolve the parking for shoppers. In 1952, Saugus offi cials and store owners in Cliftondale Square came to a mutual agreement to lay out a parking plan to benefit all concerned. The plan called for the purchase of property behind the Saugus Post Offi ce for a public parking area with the installation of 130 parking meters to pay for the cost, making possible the enlargement and growth of this shopping center. The idea seemed great, but was never followed through. And here we are today, trying to fi nd a few parking places. Many of those well-intentioned business owners who agreed with the traffic plan in 1952 for a better traffic pattern have either closed or moved to different sites. Who said, “The more things change, the more they remain the same”? This article originally appeared in The Saugus Advertiser in 1952 and was reprinted in The Saugonian Newspaper in March 2007. 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Daily 4:00 PM Closed Sunday Announcing our Classic Specials Dine In Only: * FREE Salad with purchase of Entree, Monday & Tuesdays * Cheese Pizza - Only $10 Catch ALL The Live Sports Action On Our Large Screen TV’s SHOP LOCAL & DROP BY FOR DINNER! www.eight10barandgrille.com SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available Sabatino Insurance is proud to welcome the loyal customers of ALWAYS READY TO SERVE YOU: Our Staff are, Emma Davidson, Jeimy Sanchez, Josephine Leone, Marie D’Amore, Rocco Longo, Z’andre Lopez, Anthony DiPierro, Darius Goudreau, Laurette Murphy, Danielle Goudreau and Tina Davidson. PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
6 Publizr Home