City staff presented options Jan. 6 for replacing an amphitheater stage cover destroyed in a storm, and committees agreed on a staff recommendation to pursue a steel structure and to use multiple funding sources, including a PARD grant and accommodations-tax (ATAX) funds.

Special projects manager Gina McAtee told the committee a steel cover would support rigging for lights and sound, provide longer-term durability than the previous wooden structure and allow the city to book larger performers. Staff estimated the replacement at about $400,000 and said they are preparing an RFP to solicit contractors once the committee gives direction on materials. Staff said they hope to return in February with RFP results and a full funding plan.

On grant funding, staff said the state PARD program authorized $77,738.20 for the project. The committee voted to accept that PARD allocation and forward the matter. Staff and committee members discussed a local match, with staff identifying the city’s accommodations tax fund (ATAX) as a primary local source and noting other potential local grants or private donors could be combined to meet matching requirements.

The Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee recommended allocating $100,000 of local ATAX funds to the stage cover and $3,487.80 to marketing for the Malden Blues & Jazz Festival; the committee voted unanimously to forward those recommendations to full council for approval.

Committee members asked about insurance proceeds (staff said the prior cover was donated material and not insured) and about whether prior artists had required rigging; staff said past shows sometimes requested overhead rigging but the wooden structure could not safely support substantial loads. Staff said they would post an RFP once material direction is confirmed and would return with recommended bidders and a full funding plan in February.

The PARD grant acceptance and the ATAX advisory recommendations were advanced to full council by unanimous committee votes.