Resident tells council $14 million in tax funds for Bridgeway Stadium lacks traffic plan, cites noise exemption

Megan Brock of 301 Wild Rice Drive told the Malden City Council on Dec. 16 that she strongly opposed approving tax funding for the proposed Bridgeway Stadium, saying the project would use about $14,000,000 in state and local taxes to build a 10,000‑seat venue in a residential area.

Brock said she researched comparable attendance for the Greenville Triumph and USL League One and found season averages of roughly 2,000 attendees per game, and she questioned why the city would underwrite a 10,000‑seat stadium for events that typically draw far fewer fans. "So I don't understand then why we're spending $14,000,000 in tax in taxes to build a 10,000 person stadium," she said.

Brock also urged the council to produce a traffic plan before committing public funds. She said she had asked staff for the traffic plan tied to the lease signed Oct. 24 and was told there were 60 days to produce it; as of Dec. 16 she said there was no plan and asked how the city would handle parking for thousands of cars. She warned of spillover parking in nearby neighborhoods and said pedestrian crossings and rush‑hour departures could create safety hazards.

She further told the council that the city’s publicly posted noise ordinance language was misleading because, she said, "in your noise ordinance, you gave Bridgeway Stadium a complete exemption in 2019" and that exemptions for special events were also extended in the lease. "I think you need to be more honest with people," she said, and urged more transparency and study before moving forward.

Council did not engage in a substantive response to the points during the public‑comment slot; the mayor thanked Brock for her comments and moved on to the next agenda item. Later in the meeting council entered an executive session that the record shows related to Bridgeway Station and economic development matters, and following executive session the council authorized the mayor or designee to negotiate and execute a purchase and sale agreement with up to $20,000 for due diligence.

Why this matters: The comment touches on core issues for local land‑use and public finance decisions — projected event attendance, traffic and pedestrian safety, noise impacts on nearby residents, and transparency of public subsidies. Brock framed her points as requests for more study and for the council to share traffic and noise exemptions with residents.

Next steps: The transcript shows no formal council action in response to the comment during the meeting’s public‑comment period. Council subsequently moved to executive session on Bridgeway Station matters and later approved authority for a letter of intent and purchase‑sale negotiations (authorized up to $20,000 for due diligence).