What MA Spending Bill Means For Malden

MALDEN, MA — Just under $1 million will soon flow into Malden for a series of city projects and programs thanks to an economic development spending bill state lawmakers sent to Gov. Charlie Baker earlier this month.

Beyond city funding, this legislation has marked $6 million to go toward redeveloping the former Malden Hospital site.

Baker signed the majority of the legislation into law on Thursday, approving money for Malden as part of a roughly $3.76 billion package combining unspent federal pandemic stimulus money and state surplus funds.

The agreement hashed out by legislators included larger funding for projects ranging from MBTA safety and service upgrades to energy assistance and affordable housing.

It also noted a long list of more specific earmarks for individual municipalities and organizations.

Malden’s earmarks are as follows:

• $200,000 for bike trail maintenance
• $250,000 for renovations to public parks
• $300,000 for Summer Street improvements, including, but not limited to, placemaking, streetscaping, and artistic design
• $200,000 planning and economic development studies
• $6 million for Melrose Wakefield Healthcare Inc. for the redevelopment of the former Malden Hospital property.

This economic development bill emerged on Nov. 3 after months spent stuck in talks between legislators.

The bill has drawn mixed reactions from Baker and other state leaders, who have expressed disappointment that envisioned tax cuts and stimulus checks for some taxpayers didn’t make it into the final legislation.

"While I am disappointed that the bill does not include permanent tax relief that is affordable and was supported by our administration and the Legislature, I am pleased that the Commonwealth’s strong financial position allows us to make these critical investments on behalf of our communities," Baker said in a statement after his signing last week.

Speaking before the signing Malden state legislators noted money set to come into Malden through the then pending economic development bill.

Representatives Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Steven Ultrino and Paul Donato, alongside State Senator Jason Lewis, also noted MBTA funding in addition to specific Malden earmarks.

“It’s good news that the House and Senate reached final agreement on this major economic development legislation that will help struggling families and bolster economic growth in the Commonwealth,” Lewis said last week.

“This bill successfully addresses critical needs throughout the Commonwealth, and I am grateful for the efforts of all my colleagues from House and Senate who helped ensure our communities will receive much-needed assistance," Ultrino separately said.