Mayor speaks of new growth in State of the City address

  It was an impressive setting for Mayor Brian Arrigo’s fourth State of the City address on Thursday, March 3, symbolic of the new growth in the city. Arrigo gave his address at the new SpringhillSuites by Marriott on Revere Beach, the first hotel built on the beach itself since the 1950s. Prior to and after the speech, the various officials, friends and family who attended could take in views of the ocean while grabbing a drink at the lounge next to the function room.

  While there was a festive mood in the air, Arrigo pointed to the challenges the city has faced during the past two years of the pandemic as it looks forward to continue to grow. “Today, we are emerging from some of the darkest times in our modern history poised to accomplish for our residents things we haven’t been able to do in decades,” said Arrigo. “We do not find ourselves here by accident. For the past six years we have worked intentionally, collaboratively, diligently to achieve the strongest financial position in our city’s history, to control our own destiny as we develop and to build a modern, efficient and honest city government that, put simply, improves lives.”

  The mayor highlighted some of the major projects in the works that will help improve the lives of residents, including the plans for a new Revere High School at the former Wonderland dog track property and the Suffolk Downs development. “The redevelopment of Suffolk Downs will put Revere on the map as the region’s next frontier for the life sciences and biotech industries,” he said. “One hundred and thirty million dollars in private investment will be the catalyst for state and federal funding to transform underutilized riverfront land into open space, a community boating center and a revitalized Gibson Park – all designed in alignment with our climate resiliency work.”

  With the wife and daughter of the late mayor and City Council President Robert Haas sitting in the front row, Arrigo also announced plans for the new Robert J. Haas Health and Wellness Center at the former Greater Boston Fitness space. “With an anticipated spring opening, our first-ever health and wellness center will support residents’ physical and mental health – with access to low-cost gym memberships, free recreational programming, nutritional counseling and more,” Arrigo said.

  Arrigo also touched on the construction of a new Point of Pines fire station, improvements to the McKinley School and parkland in Beachmont, and the creation of a culinary workforce development space at the former League of Special Needs building.

  The mayor recommitted to ensuring that Revere is a city that continues to strive to stamp out racism, and he announced an initiative for he and his administration to go out and visit residents in their homes to hear their concerns.

  “We are a changed city, in so many ways, and the fastest growing in the Commonwealth,” said Arrigo. “If we do not adapt to change, we will be left behind. Tonight I assure you that we will not measure our growth simply by the number of people who live here, but in the quality of life we provide to our residents, and in our readiness – and willingness – to capitalize on every opportunity that our growth brings. We will lean into our growth mindset and emerge from the COVID era with new energy to execute on thoughtfully laid plans. We will unapologetically continue to raise the bar. This is the state of our city.”