State legislative delegation secures $150K for Malden River Works project

  State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Steven Ultrino, Paul Donato and Kate Lipper-Garabedian recently announced that they have successfully secured $150,000 for the Malden River Works Project. This is part of the COVID-19 pandemic recovery bill passed by the state legislature and partially signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker on December 13, 2021. The funds will be used to support this exciting project, including environmental remediation and climate resilience efforts along the Malden river bank.

  “I’m thrilled that the Malden legislative delegation was able to work closely together to secure this funding for such a worthy project in the city,” said Lewis. “Malden River Works promises to deliver significant environmental and recreational benefits to the community. I want to thank Friends of the Malden River for their leadership and hard work in advancing this project.”

  “I am both pleased and excited to see ARPA funding going to the Malden River Works project,” said Ultrino. “The investment will help create a more accessible and climate resilient community space along Malden’s waterfront, encouraging future community-oriented developments. I would like to thank the rest of the Malden delegation for their support and efforts throughout this process.”

  “The ARPA Bill will provide valuable funding to advance the Malden River Works Project, an initiative being spearheaded by community leaders of color, members of government and environmental advocates to build the first climate-resilient public park along the Malden River. The park will be a valuable addition to the community that will make this space open to all. It is vital we invest in our planet, and I look forward to seeing this project progress,” said Donato.

  “I’m pleased that the Malden legislative delegation continues to secure critical state investments for the Malden River Works project,” said Lipper-Garabedian. “The project has had an enormous positive impact on the community, both socially and environmentally. I am pleased that this state funding will support the riverfront cleanup efforts and continued environmental restoration.”

  “Malden River Works Equitable Resilient Waterfront Park is a brilliant example of a collaborative project for the health of a community, its urban river and climate resiliency for a municipality,” said Malden River Works Environmental Advocate Karen Buck. “This park serves the needs of the public for additional green space with proper stormwater management and will protect an urban river surrounded by Environmental Justice communities. The state-of-the-art design will work to educate the public on the importance of equitable climate resilience and stormwater management for their future. Malden River Works will be an example of how green infrastructure projects can convert wasteland into productive climate resiliency spaces that will be utilized by the public.”

  The aforementioned bill, which is titled An Act relative to immediate COVID-19 recovery needs, uses federal monies received from the American Rescue Plan Act as well as the state’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget surplus, and it is now Chapter 102 of the Acts of 2021, except for certain sections that were returned to the House due to Governor Baker’s vetoes and amendments.