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City manager reports progress on Market Basket site, Penrose Veterans Home and Broadway intersection design
Summary
City manager communications reported that Market Basket has hired an architectural firm to assess redevelopment opportunities and that a Penrose representative will provide a project update; staff also described MassDOT’s design for Broadway and plans to review pedestrian safety at a downtown intersection.
The city manager provided written communications updating the council on several ongoing development and infrastructure matters.
On the Market Basket property, the city manager reported the city is coordinating with Market Basket and that the company has hired a local architectural firm to assess development opportunities at the site. City staff said they are preparing an application to the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund to support infrastructure improvements on Second and Spruce streets, specifically water, sewer and stormwater upgrades, and that periodic updates will be provided to the council.
On the Chelsea Veterans Home (Penrose) development, the city manager said staff have met with Penrose multiple times to coordinate permitting. The commissioner of public works is working with Penrose on required water improvements in the development area. The city manager wrote that Charlie Adams, regional vice president for Penrose, will provide a comprehensive project update in January; that update will be shared with the council when received.
On pedestrian safety in the downtown Broadway area, the city manager communicated that the intersection of Broadway, Shirley Street and Marlborough Street is part of a downtown Broadway surface design project scheduled to begin in 2026 and being completed by MassDOT in collaboration with city staff. MassDOT has decided not to include a traffic signal at the intersection because projected traffic volumes do not warrant one for most of the day and the proximity of a new signal at Bellingham Square could create queuing issues. Design plans call for foundations for future mast arms so signals can be installed later if warranted; the commissioner of public works will request that MassDOT reexamine whether a full signal could be installed during the construction project and will explore short-term curb or pavement marking changes as potential interim measures.
The communications did not contain firm schedules or funding commitments beyond the MBTA grant application; they did note ongoing coordination with MassDOT and project partners.
