A chance for more open space in Malden and Fulton Heights, Medford

Thomas Edison once said “We often miss opportunity because it’s dressed in overalls and looks like work.” We have an opportunity in Malden and Medford to develop what could arguably be the last real chance to create local outdoor space. It could be a source of relaxation, well-being, and enrich the quality of life for the people of Malden, Medford, and visitors, with some revenue generating opportunities. It will be work, but if successful, it will be worth the investment, both literally, and figuratively.

The Malden Hospital site, owned by Hallmark Health, has been closed for over 10 years. Currently, the City of Malden is considering a proposal for a high density expensive housing development, with almost 400 units (80% non-owner occupied rentals, 2 bedroom units starting at $2500/month, Condos starting between $300-$400K, and Cottages starting between $400K-$500K), as well as room for over 500 vehicles. This type of development would surely bring much needed revenue to Malden in the form of property taxes, but at what cost?

According to BioMaps of surrounding communities, using 2012 GIS information, the amount of open space in Malden protected in perpetuity is a mere 154 acres, or 4.8% percent of the total area, second only to Somerville (4.5%) with respect to neighboring communities. The Malden Hospital sits on 18 acres of land. We have a chance to bring these 18 acres into the protected land coffers of both Malden and Medford, as the west side of the hospital site straddles the Malden/Medford line.

But how can open space be financially beneficial, and create a much needed revenue stream for the cities, and not just land conservation? There have been many studies on the real value of open space. A study performed by the University of the Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business analyzed the efforts of the Philadelphia Green Vacant Lots program. By just cleaning vacant lands in Philadelphia, adding lawn, a picket fence and trees, properties around the open space increased in value. Higher property values would mean more property taxes for the cities.

A team of researchers led by Dr. Charles C. Branas of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that “…improving the places where people live, work and play, holds great promise for changing health and safety…Greening vacant lots is a low-cost, high-value approach, which may prevent certain crimes and encourage healthy activity for more people and for longer periods of time than many other approaches.” Encouraging a healthy well-being was a core mission of the Malden Hospital, and including some open space for recreation would serve to carry on that mission.

According to the Massachusetts Trust for Public Land ROI report, an analysis was conducted on the return on the Commonwealth’s investment in land conservation through a variety of state funding programs. It found “that every $1 invested in land conservation returned $4 in natural goods and services to the Massachusetts economy.” In addition, the reports ROI summary estimates that “outdoor recreation generates $10 billion in consumer spending, $739 million in state and local tax revenue, 90,000 jobs, and $3.5 billion in wages and salaries each year in the state.”

But what about the potential of new housing units and their ability to generate new property tax revenue? An alternative proposal has been developed by Malden and Medford residents, one which incorporates as many units of moderate income elderly housing as would be developed under the current residential zoning, yet in a single structure. This is a build-up-instead-of-out with the objective of creating much needed recreation and open space while providing as much property tax revenue as would be produced under current zoning in Malden.

The area directly east and below the property’s ledge is Fellsmere Pond, a park designed by famed American architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed the Emerald Necklace in Boston, and Central Park in New York. To develop complementary recreational space adjacent to Fellsmere Pond would only increase its value, and draw many visitors, and their spending dollars, to Malden and Medford.

Well-designed open spaces lead to an increase in public health benefits, an increase in retail values, lower crime rates, and better results for the environment (storm water management, wildlife refuge, etc.), not to mention an increase in community pride.

With an already densely populated area with little open space in both Malden and the Fulton Heights neighborhood in Medford, the City of Malden should carefully consider options for incorporating revenue generating open space into what may be the last opportunity to do so in the city.

To see a neighbor-developed open space alternative proposal, visit www.fellsmereheights.org for more information.