Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 Saugus United 2035 C Preliminary draft of Master Plan offers a Cliftondale vision By Mark E. Vogler idents. These were the highlights in liftondale Square ranks as the best place in town for mixed-use development, as far as Saugus residents are concerned. Or, at least according to a majority of some 700 town residents responding to a survey conducted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). “People want to see more small businesses, particularly in Cliftondale Square,” the preliminary summary of Saugus United 2035 (The Saugus Master Plan) concluded last month. “Cliftondale was also identifi ed as an area for desired mixeduse development,” according to the document that MAPC staff compiled for the town, based on feedback received from resthe component of Economic Development as it related to Cliftondale Square: • Accessible by Saugus residents, Route 1 travelers and residents of neighboring communities, such as Revere and Malden • 81 businesses and 352 employees within the square • 79% of these businesses employ one to fi ve people. • A challenge is high turnover of commercial tenants in a normal year, and the current situation of COVID-19 has seen an unprecedented impact on the commercial market. The report also made reference to the 2016 Fine Point Associates Market Analysis compiled on Cliftondale Square: • Establish entities to coordinate and carryout ongoing tasks associated with improving Cliftondale Square. • Enhance business mix, encourage restaurants, recreation, education, healthcare and professional offices and creative/ cultural enterprises. • Attract more customers from all market segments. • Explore zoning and regulation changes that would increase the critical mass of compatible businesses and customers. The report also cited Cliftondale for Preliminary Goals and Next Steps. They include: • Attracting more light to moderate industrial sector businesses to strengthen Saugus’s overall economy • Imagining Cliftondale Square as a future mixed-use district The fi ndings of the 2016 report echo many of the concerns expressed in the preliminary Master Plan for Saugus as well as by members of the Cliftondale Revitalization Committee. Locational advantages of Cliftondale Square for businesses: • Proximity to Route 1, a major highway providing access from the north and south • High visibility on a very busy AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE Is your vehicle ready for the Summer Season?!! Recharge your vehicle's AC for the warm weather! Includes up to 1 LB. of Refrigerant* (*Most Vehicles/Some Restrictions May Apply) AC SPECIAL Only $69.95 DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! CASH FOR YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV! 2009 CHEVROLT IMPALA 2008 SCION XD Automatic, 4 Cylinders, Runs & Drives Great, Awesome Gas Mileage, Warranty, Clear Title, Only 118K Miles! TRADES WELCOME! $4,995 Financing Available! 3.5 Ltr., Six Cylinders, Automatic, Most Power Options, Just Serviced, Clear Title, Only 120K Miles! TRADES WELCOME! TRADES WELCOME! $4,995 (781) 321-8844 • (617) 571-9869 Easy 1236 EasternAve • Malden EddiesAutotech.com Vehicle! We Pay Cash For Your thoroughfare • Compact, concentrated layout increases potential for crossover patronage among businesses. • Over 14,500 people live within one mile; median household income is above the state median, 33% of the households have incomes over $100,000. • Over 52,500 people live within two miles Locational disadvantages/ challenges for businesses: • Lack of identity as a square/ commercial district, not well-promoted as a place for shopping, dining and services • Some tired looking signage, facades and storefronts • High speed of traffic through the Square may be inhibiting people from stopping, walking around, crossing the street. • Common perception is that the parking is not well identifi ed and public parking is insuffi cient. Most off -street parking is private, associated with specifi c properties and businesses. • Not many destination businesses, uses or events generating high volume of potential customers • Very few businesses open in the evening • No sit-down dinner restaurants • Perception of unsafe environment and possible criminal activity in the evening (loitering, drug transactions, prostitution) The latest Coronavirus Count State health offi cials notify Saugus of 69 new cases over the past week; death toll increases to 71 By Mark E. Vogler T he Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) advised the town of 69 new confi rmed COVID-19 cases yesterday (Wednesday), raising the overall total to 3,967 since the outbreak of the virus in March of last year. Meanwhile, the number of deaths in Saugus linked to the virus increased by one to 71, according to the latest statistics released yesterday by Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s offi ce. This week’s number of confi rmed cases dropped by 25. A week ago, the state had reported 94 new cases – 12 fewer new cases than over the previous week. “Our hearts and prayers go out to those families aff ected by this health pandemic,” Crabtree said in the latest press release updating the latest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Last week, Saugus jumped back into the “red” category on the state’s colored-coded map, which is for the state’s highest risk communities for COVID-19. This had followed five consecutive weeks in “yellow.” “Yellow” stands for a moderate risk. Information was not available yesterday at press deadline showing the latest COVID-19 ranking for Saugus. But offi cials remained concerned that the town was still undergoing a recent surge. The Town of Saugus notes the following COVID-19-related information as a public service to town residents: “The Town of Saugus has partnered with the Commonwealth, Fallon Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and the Square One Mall as a collaborative effort to work to downgrade the Town’s risk of spread of COVID-19 … by establishing and extending the following COVID-19 testing sites in Saugus: “Fallon EMS at the Square One Mall (Far Side Parking Lot on Essex Street), located at 1201 Broadway with entry off of Essex Street, will off er free mobile drive-up testing … for Saugus residents in their cars Monday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. No appointment is needed. [Residents] driveup and register using a tablet when they arrive. Saugus Police will be assisting with traffi c. The testing site will be staff ed by 10-12 individuals to handle registrations. All samples go directly to the Broad [Institute] in Cambridge for immediate testing with a 24-36 hour turnaround time. Notifi cation of results will be made for negative results via emails while phone calls will be made for positive COVID-19 results. These sites do close when it rains because of risk of test CORONAVIRUS | SEE PAGE 18
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