City councilors point to zoning, mixed use and affordable‑housing tools as paths to new revenue for Malden
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Summary
Malden councilors said zoning changes and targeted economic development—restaurants, hotels and larger retail—could expand the city's revenue base while continued use of housing trust funds and federal dollars can produce affordable housing.
Two Malden elected officials told a local podcast that expanding revenue requires changes to what the city allows developers to build and continued use of housing funds.
Ward 5 City Councilor Ari Taylor said the city should pursue restaurants, hotels and larger retail to increase sales and meals tax receipts and called for plans to attract grocers and supermarkets. "I'd love to see more vibrant shopping. I would love a Trader Joe's or an additional supermarket," Taylor said.
Ward 3 City Council President Amanda Linehan said the city—s zoning is the underlying problem and identified Commercial Street, Lower Broadway and several city squares as areas where zoning changes could allow denser, mixed‑use development that generates more property and sales tax revenue. "Your zoning is what allows you to have the kind of buildings and the kind of tax generating revenue," she said.
Linehan also discussed her service as the council liaison to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board and said the city has used federal dollars and the Community Preservation Act to partner with nonprofit developers on affordable housing projects; she said more small‑scale acquisitions and development could arrive as opportunities emerge.
Ending: Both councilors emphasized policy levers—zoning and targeted economic development—to raise local revenues; neither announced specific ordinances or vote outcomes during the podcast.
