April 29, 2024

“1. ©0127-24 Order/s/ Councilor Robert J. Van Campen, as President An order requesting approval to appropriate by borrowing $3,000,000.00 to fund Everett Square Improvements. Jay Monty, Director of Transportation and Mobility, presented the city's final design for Everett Square and requested $3 million in funding to complete the $5 million project. Key points: - The current project focuses just on Everett Square Park improvements. - Goals are to create a more welcoming, usable public space for events and gatherings, connect the library and park, preserve the 9/11 memorial, and address pedestrian safety at Schoo! St/Broadway. - Changes include realigning School St to a T-intersection, reallocating green space more evenly between the library and Bouvier building sides, and connecting the two sides. - There is no net loss of parking proposed. Traffic impacts were studied to ensure no major disruptions to flow. - Total cost is $5 million. Mass Gaming Commission provided a $1 million grant, Rep. McGonagle secured $600,000 from the state, and $400,000 of city funds are identified, leaving $3 million requested. - The compressed timeline is to take advantage of favorable pricing and complete construction by Fall 2025. Normal capital budget cycle would delay start and extend construction. Several councilors, including Smith, Hanlon, Alcy Jabouin, Pietrantonio and Marchese raised concerns and questions about: - Pedestrian safety with proposed design - Traffic impacts and need for detailed traffic studies - Ensuring 9/11 memorial is preserved - Lack of net new parking - Funds primarily benefiting one restaurant - Spending priorities compared to other city needs - Coordinating with potential private redevelopment Others like DiPierro and Matewsky spoke in favor, citing the need to invest in and revitalize the square, take advantage of outside funding, and spur further redevelopment. Mayor DeMaria also spoke in support, stating the administration's interest in taking the Bouvier Building by eminent domain for redevelopment, possibly as a new City Hall now that he knows he has support from many of the Council to propose an eminent domain taking. He addressed some design concerns around street materials, the 9/11 memorial, and the bus stop. The mayor urged approval to not jeopardize state funding. The Council voted against passing the motion, 6 yeas (DiPierro, Hamlin, Martins, Matuszewski, Rogers, Van Campen), 5 nays (Alcy Jabouin, Garcia, Marchese, Pietrantonio, Smith). 8 votes required for passage. The item was reconsidered unanimously and then motioned and passed to postpone the item to the Council's next regular meeting on May 13". MOTION: Postpone MOVER: Anthony DiPierro SECONDER: Stephanie Smith RESULT: Passed [10 TO 1] AYES: Alcy Jabouin, DiPierro, Garcia, Hanlon, Martins, Matewsky, Rogers, . Pietrantonio, Smith, Van Campen NAYS: Marchese AWAY:.” (Motion: Anthony DiPierro, second: Stephanie Smith)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)