Secretary of Housing and Economic Greg Bialecki visited Everett Tuesday as part of a tour that his office said “focuses on the interesting businesses, community hubs, new market-rate housing, and public transportation options that make this city an ideal location to live, work and play.”
First, we thank Sec. Bialecki for including Everett on his multi-city exploratory tour and his decision to highlight this city as a destination for housing and employment opportunities.
Sec. Bialecki understands the economic potential of this city and the developmental opportunities that are available. State leaders are noticing the revitalization of this city and certainly the proposal by developer Steve Wynn to build a $1.2 billion hotel/casino has put Everett on the map, as they say.
Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. accompanied Secretary Bialecki on his tour of the city and you could sense how proud the mayor is of the projects and improvements that are happening throughout the city under his leadership and guidance. Jamie Erickson, director of planning and development for Everett, also participated in the tour and spoke with the Secretary.
The first stop on the tour was the Lower Broadway Area at 26 Charlton St. where the former Charlestown Chew factory is being transformed into a luxury apartment building with 320 market-rate rental units. According to developer Andy Martelli, the project will be completed by March, 2014. Martelli is speaking loudly and clearly with his $90 million investment in this project that he believes Everett is moving in the right direction and that people will want to be part of its continuing resurgence. The area of this new development is being called “The Batch Yard – The Sweeter Side of City Living” in deference to the former home of the Charlestown Chew candy bar.
So we say thank you, Secretary Bialecki, for coming to our city, recognizing the enormous potential in the business and housing markets here, and opening up the lines of communication with your office so that Everett may continue to grow and prosper.