Malden River Works receives $2,998,049 from the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program
From Mystic River Watershed Association’s press release: “Governor Healey’s announcement of $31.5 million in FY2024 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grants included nearly $5.7 million in funding for community-designed projects to prevent harm to residents, workers, and resources in Resilient Mystic Collaborative (RMC) cities and towns. Convened by ten Mystic Watershed communities and the Mystic River Watershed Association in September 2018 and now led by senior staff from 20 cities and towns and non-governmental partners, the RMC focuses on managing flooding and extreme heat on a regional scale and increasing the resilience of our most vulnerable residents and workers to extreme weather.
These MVP grants bring the total resources secured for climate resilient projects to $61.4 million in state, federal, and foundation grants since the voluntary partnership began, with the goal of at least doubling that amount by 2026, when new federal grant programs begin to sunset. Quotes from each community are followed by a summary table of grants.
"We have an unprecedented opportunity to position Massachusetts as a global leader in climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the MVP program is an important piece of our strategy," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "The Healey-Driscoll Administration is glad to support our local communities with funding for innovative climate resilience projects that center environmental justice and nature-based solutions."
By far the largest grant - nearly $3 million - went to Malden River Works (MRW), a riverfront park led and designed by environmental justice residents in partnership with the City of Malden’s Department of Public Works. “These funds will alleviate stormwater flooding while filtering pollutants and toxins before they reach the Malden River,” said Marcia Manong, Chairperson of the MRW Steering Committee. “Using both green and gray infrastructure, we will mitigate the dual impacts of climate change-fueled heat and flooding. I consider this a win not just for nearby environmental justice communities but for all of Malden.”
“It’s really extraordinary what communities can accomplish when they pool their time, expertise, and aspirations,” said Patrick Herron, Executive Director of the Mystic River Watershed Association. “We are so grateful that the MVP program is enabling these great local leaders to put ideas into action to protect their most vulnerable people and resources from extreme weather.”
“This grant helps the City significantly upgrade its Department of Public Works yard to prevent stormwater runoff and other contaminants from finding their way into the Malden River," said Malden Mayor Gary Christenson. "These improvements are essential to the completion of the Malden River Works Park, which will provide the only significant public access to Malden's riverfront.”
On August 31st, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Tepper and staff joined the Malden River Works Team and Steering Committee to tour the site of the upcoming Waterfront Park. Senator Lewis and Mayor Christenson highlighted the importance of this park for our region and for the City of Malden.
Steering Committee Chairperson, Marcia Manong and Senator Jason Lewis headed to the Malden River
Secretary Tepper of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Mayor
Christenson, and Senator Lewis listening to the project presentation by lead designer, Marie Law Adams
Malden River Works lead designer, Marie Law Adams presents the Malden River Works project
Marie Law Adams and Andrew Mikula, Senior Planner of the City of Malden with the Malden River Works project poster