LYNN — There was a lot to celebrate on Tuesday morning as local officials and the St. Mary’s Plaza project-management team cut the ribbon and welcomed visitors to a newly renovated lobby of the affordable-housing site.
St. Mary’s Plaza Board of Directors President Ed Calnan said that the $3.5 million project also included upgrades to 80 kitchens, new security cameras, new trees, updated granite sidewalks and curbs, a privacy fence, two awnings, and updated lighting.
He added that another renovation was the addition of updated wiring across the entirety of the building, so it is now entirely Wi-Fi-accessible.
Calnan said the project was made possible through a refinancing mechanism, which will extend the affordability of the plaza for the next 20 years.
“This is extremely important because it is the city’s goal to preserve existing affordable residential units,” he said.
Maloney Properties Senior Operations Manager Adam McGinn, Property Manager Dawn Pantano, and Vice President Erik Thelen presented Calnan with a plaque, dedicating the new Edward T. Calnan Welcome Center to him.
Thelen said Calnan is one of Maloney’s most dedicated clients and his dedication comes from a place of “deep caring.”
He said Mayor Jared Nicholson should get Calnan involved in more affordable-housing projects, because he has “more energy than anybody.”
Nicholson presented Calnan and St. Mary’s Plaza with a citation in honor of the renovation project.
“We have a housing crisis in this region and in this country,” Nicholson said. “We are absolutely focused on creating additional affordable-housing units to help our residents be able to remain here in Lynn, a nd just as important as the production of new affordable-housing units is the preservation of the affordable housing that exists currently. So congratulations to St. Mary’s Plaza on the extension of the affordability restriction.”
State Sen. Brendan Crighton also presented a citation to St. Mary’s Plaza. He described Calnan as a mentor and leader to many in the community and someone who is “not afraid to tackle big projects.”
“At your core, you want to help people,” he said, referring to Calnan. “I think if you look at almost any neighborhood across the city, it has imprints of his good work.”
He added that across the state and nation, communities are turning down the opportunity to build more affordable housing, but the City of Lynn is actively working to improve affordable housing.
“It’s not just about having the space. It’s about making sure that it is a quality space, a space that people can be proud of and live their best lives,” he added.
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