Mayor Richard C. Howard
Malden is a city of opportunities. It is a community that boasts a strong commitment to education, close-knit neighborhoods, great recreational amenities and an active business community. In recent years, we have made much progress--new schools, new open space, historic landmarks and beautification efforts.
Since 1996, Malden has opened five new K-8 schools and an early learning center for 400 pre-schoolers. All are state-of-the-art technology-infused schools aimed at preparing our students for the jobs of the new economy. The City has also worked aggressively to push forward plans to build River's Edge, a forward-thinking joint economic development initiative with our sister cities of Everett and Medford. Plans call for over one million square feet of office/research space, housing and retail. Phase one which will include up to 200 units of housing and 440,000 sq feet of commercial space will start in Spring 2008.
Not only have there been great gains in education and economic development, but there continues to be a strong commitment to neighborhood improvement projects. Financing programs offered in partnership with local banks, for example, have enabled homeowners to upgrade, preserve and even purchase residential properties. Federal, state and private funding sources have also been utilized to upgrade and even increase the amount of open space available for both active and passive use by our residents. The City boasts many recreational amenities, including an ice skating rink in the downtown area which is home ice for Tufts University's and Malden's hockey teams, construction of two multi-purpose fields at Pine Banks Park with state-of-the art artificial turf and another synthetic turf field at Maplewood Park. Additionally, the Malden YMCA has opened a new $17 million facility and Tufts University has built a $3 million permanent boat house for its crew teams on the banks of the Malden River.
Malden remains a city of opportunities. As always, we remain committed to keeping Malden a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Very truly yours,
Mayor Richard C. Howard