City, MVRCS agree to seek alternatives to demolition of Maplewood Square buildings

  Mayor Gary Christenson, Ward 6 Councillor Stephen Winslow and the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School (MVRCS) have announced that they reached an agreement to pause efforts to redevelop property MVRCS purchased in Maplewood Square. Central to the agreement is that the City of Malden and MVRCS have agreed to work together for up to a year to identify alternative options that allow the school to create the additional capacity it needs elsewhere. The City of Malden and MVRCS will begin meeting on a regular basis and will keep the community updated on progress.

  The redevelopment pause will provide businesses the option to stay through April 2023, and it offers residential tenants additional time and resources to move at some time past the end of the school year. In addition, the agreement keeps parking spaces behind the buildings at 12-24 and 28 Lebanon St. available for businesses and customers as the parties work towards an alternative approach. Furthermore, the City of Malden will delay renovation plans for Trafton Park for a year as an alternative to the MVRCS proposal to demolish the buildings to provide play space during the renovation. Each day, hundreds of students use the park for outdoor recreation and recess activities.

  “This is an important topic for our residents. Finding an acceptable solution starts with open and honest communication,” said Christenson. “The residents of Malden need to know we are working together. This agreement addresses several key concerns and sets the stage for us to identify a solution that works for everyone.”

  “This agreement helps keep the status quo in place for businesses while seeking to ultimately ensure the viability and character of Maplewood Square as a neighborhood business district. I want to thank the Malden Historical Commission for being open minded to this alternative approach to achieve the mutually desired goals of preserving both the historic character and uses of the Square,” said Winslow.

  “I’m pleased we are collectively committed to working together on this important issue,” said MVRCS Board of Trustees Chair George Warren. “I specifically want to thank Mayor Christenson for reaching out to Mystic Valley and Councilor Winslow for their efforts to construct this agreement and committing to continued dialogue, while providing Mystic Valley students the ability to continue to access outdoor recreation space while we explore other alternatives. I look forward to what I know will be a mutual commitment to find a solution that meets everyone’s needs.”