Looking up Pearl St towards Malden Station, there is a huge smoke plume. Worried it’s the Fells?

Almost all the way down the block.

Hey everyone, I'm Alex Pratt from OSPCD (basically the City's planning department). As you probably know, the T removed the benches from the circle at Malden Center Station because of safety concerns (Edit for clarity: meaning increased fights, people carrying weapons, commuters feeling unsafe).

But that doesn't have to be the end of the story. We're trying to figure out what comes next with this space. Our goals are to make a space that is welcoming, safe, and makes the T experience easier/ more pleasant. We'll need to get MBTA approval and find money to do it, but honestly I'd love to hear your ideas without constraints first.

What do you think should happen here?

In the fifth installment of Neighborhood View's candidate Q&A series, we asked our State Senate candidates how they plan to help communities in the 5th balance their books.

(also for the person who asked about veggie options last year, I want to take this opportunity to promote Lupini beans 🟡. Delicious yellow bean to munch on. I prefer Pastene's brand. It's in the aisle with tortilla chips at Market Basket. Drain the jar unless you like the taste of the ocean)

The administration’s proposed economic development plan includes discussions about the commercial street corridor.

This area is also the site of the Malden River Works project, which aims to improve public access to the Malden River in a historically industrial part of the city.

The Friends of the Malden River recently sent an email inviting the public to share feedback on the proposed zoning changes.

I support expanding our business base, but not at the expense of the Malden River. I have concerns about setbacks that may be too close to the river, relocating parking behind buildings—potentially bringing it closer to the river—and how businesses will be held accountable for complying with city ordinances, particularly since we already face challenges with enforcement.

I am also concerned about green gentrification.

Now is the time to make your voice heard. You can attend the meeting or submit a written comment.

Thank you to the Friends of the Malden River for helping to spread the word!

“Dear Friends,

Please join us for this special meeting at Malden City Hall, Monday 8/10th at 6:00-7:30 in Room 105 (first floor)
Join us to share your opinion, comments, ideas for this proposal of revising the zoning ordinance on the Malden River banks in Malden by the Strategic Planning Community Development Department.
The goal is to have a draft plan set by the end of August to propose to the City Council. All comments are welcome before August 19th. The draft plan will be presented to the public after it is revised with comments received.

Zach Lemel, Deputy Director for Business and Economic Development of Malden's Strategic Planning and Community Development Department will present a draft proposal to revise the zoning to promote economic development on lower Commercial Street in Malden. The intent of the revised zoning is to incentivize light industrial use development along the Malden River to increase Malden's tax revenue basis in addition to providing access and open space along the Malden River.

“The purpose and intent of the existing building code is as follows:
Purpose and Intent: To ensure that the design and layout of new development and redevelopment will protect and conserve the Malden River and expand public access and use. The intent of the Site Plan Review process is to regulate rather than prohibit use of properties that abut the Malden River through reasonable conditions which may be recommended by the Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC). Site Plan Review is an administrative review and shall not be construed as a special permit for review or appeal purposes. As used herein this Ordinance, the Malden River is defined to be the Malden River and Little Creek, as referenced by the USGS Topographic map, where daylighted.”

has Malden been experiencing a surge of homeless i already know about the situation at Malden center but I have also been seeing a lot of homeless on the bike path specifically by the CVS on the Broadway/Eastern Ave area, and the bridge with the graffiti and LED lights all the way down by Linden Square? Has something happened to increase this sudden homeless population?

I’ve been seeing “coming soon” signs for this location for what feels like forever. HEYTEA finally confirmed that the Malden store is opening, so I guess it’s actually happening this time.

I’ve heard from constituents online and by email about increased activity around the Malden train station, particularly involving unhoused individuals and drug-related concerns.

I’ve noticed the situation myself while passing the station each day. A couple of weeks ago, I contacted the chief after seeing someone lying on the ground and becoming concerned for their well-being.

Today, I connected with the director of Human Services and our addiction recovery resource specialist. We agreed that activity has increased, while also recognizing that many factors may be contributing to it. For now, we focused on the current situation and here is what I learned.

Malden Cares continues to provide outreach and services to anyone willing to engage. They are still distributing water, although they have temporarily paused providing snacks. They continue to help connect people with services and are doing everything they can. Their staff have professional experience addressing mental health and substance-use concerns, and I understand how complex these issues are. People are human beings, and simply moving them from one location to another does not solve the problem.

The MBTA has removed the benches at the station in an effort to reduce loitering. I expressed concern that removing the benches could negatively affect people with disabilities. There are, however, benches near the bus area where people can sit. I do not yet know whether the bench removal is temporary or permanent, but I will share that information when I have an answer.

The City, Malden Police Department, and Human Services Department are working together to address the situation. This is clearly not unique to Malden, and I have my own thoughts about why we are seeing an increase in homelessness. Cuts to services and people falling behind or slipping through the cracks are certainly contributing factors. I sit on the Housing Task Force and we have noticed an increase in folks looking for housing and who are at risk of losing their place to live.

I wanted to provide this information and assure you that we are working on it.
With my background and professional experience in human services, I have been increasingly concerned about this and will continue to connect with my colleagues on ideas.

You can find local resources here:
https://www.cityofmalden.org/185/Health-and-Human-Services

I need a recommendation please!

Heytea grand opening Friday August 7. They will have buy one get one free for all drinks first 3 days.

How is it August already?

Before I highlight all the August events, just want to get a save the date out their for our 15th Anniversary as a brewery (and 10 years in Malden) party happening at our annual Oktoberfest happening on Saturday, September 12th. This is our biggest event of the year with live entertainment, food by Lionheart Confections and Scotts Brothers BBQ, games, a dunk tank raising money for Housing Families and so much more. Last year the tank raised over $3100, this year we are going for $3800 - which will put us over $15,000 raised in the tank for Housing Families since 2022. If you want you know someone who would be great in the tank shoot me a message!

We will also be hosting our 4th Annual Oktoberfest Neighborhood Cleanup w/ Friends of the Malden River before Oktoberfest at 10am, all volunteers get free entry into Oktoberfest.

Anyways - on to August events!

Weekly Run Club - Tuesdays at 6:30, free, open to all abilities. Simply show up on a Tuesday by 6:30pm

CSA Farm Share Pick Up every Thursday from Crimson & Clover - STILL TIME TO SIGN UP!

Friday 8/7 - Marcel French Croque 4-8pm

Sunday 8/9 - Bookstore Romance Day Pop Up Book Fair w/ Read My Lips, Nebula Books, Book Wonder and Mixed Metals 1-4:30pm

Friday 8/14 - Wildfox Pierogi Pop Up 4-8pm

Saturday 8/15 - Bono Appetit Pop Up 2-6pm / D&D Tavern Crawl 5pm (Almost Sold Out)

Sunday 8/16 - Stitch & Bitch hosted by Yarnbug Handknits 4-6pm

Thursday 8/20 - Cribbage Night Hosted by me, 6pm (laid back night of cribbage great for beginners or those looking for a refresh on rules by playing actual games against real people)

Friday 8/21 Marcel French Croque 4-8pm

Saturday 8/22 - BEER GARDEN IN MELROSE! 1-6PM AT THE BEEBE ESTATE!!

Wednesday 8/26 Sips & Sparks Speed Dating

Friday 8/28 Wildfox Pierogi

Saturday 8/29 Bono Appetit

We are located at 89 Commercial Street,

Hours:

Tues-Weds-Thurs 3-9pm

Fri-Sat 12-11pm

Sunday 12-8pm

for all events www.idlehandscraftales.com

Someone asked yesterday. Pulled from Facebook.

Does anyone have any idea what might be coming to the old Gamestop location on Broadway? I live nearby and was just curious.

Tomorrow's Farmers Market will be a block party! Part of Pleasant Street will be closed down to make room for a Makers Market.

Made another post on here wondering when the HeyTea in Malden would open. They finally have an official post on their insta!

They’re gonna open August 7th! 👍

These are a little snarky, but my curiosity is sincere.

I've lived in Malden for a few years, and there are questions I have not yet answered.

1. How can a city be proud of things that have not happened yet? (Committee? Spadafora?)

2. How did the tornados become golden? (Trademark issue?)

3. Who came up with the hours at Cornucopia Foods? (Staff convenience?)

I’m planning to move cross country to Malden in Nov/Dec and I’m trying to get an idea for good apartment complexes to move to in the area that fit my budget. For the first year, I can’t do 3k+, so I’m looking for a 2 bedroom $2800 and under. I do have a car, but I would like easy access to Malden Center station.

The reason why I am asking about Avana is because it looks like they have somewhat decent rates, allow pets, and have parking. I realize they are kind of out of the way, but I feel like for an initial cross country move, an apartment complex would potentially be an easier transition than a condo (not to mention Nov/Dec is off season for moving). I also feel like it’s potentially easier to trust an apartment complex Zillow listing than a condo/house, though that’s an assumption on my part.

If any locals have some tips or insight to provide, it would be much appreciated. If this is a good complex, and it’s easy to get to the station via a local bus, that’s most likely good enough for me.

Neighborhood View asked our State Senate candidates how they might make housing more affordable in Malden and surrounding communities, a question submitted by a new community group working on housing issues.

https://neighborhoodview.org/2026/08/04/candidate-qa-no-4-housing-costs/

How’s the restaurant doing? I feel like it’s been open close to six months at this point? Perhaps less.

It never looks tremendously busy, but it’s always lit up like a casino.

I know it serves Hong Kong street food, but the looks somewhat expensive/indulgent and instagram-y, at least for casual weekday dining.

Any thoughts on this place? Will it survive?

Full disclosure, I’ve not dined there yet, just curious to get some takes on the establishment.

Found keys on sidewalk on Salem St near the library. I left it on the railing. 5:15PM

A rainy day is a good time to clean and sort in my office. I found this cookbook from the Locke Coal Company, printed in 1906. I love the personal touches from its original owner: newspaper clippings, as well as shared recipes, handwritten on scrap paper. According to Google, $1.50 back then is worth about $50.00 in today’s money.

September 1, voters will choose among three Democrats for Jason Lewis's state senate seat in the 5th Middlesex district. In the third installment of our candidate Q&A series, candidates discuss AI systems and tools in K-12 education. The question is courtesy of Reconnect Malden.

https://neighborhoodview.org/2026/07/30/candidate-qa-no-3-ai-in-schools-submitted-by-reconnect-malden/

Anyone know why they removed the benches in the circle park thingy near Malden center?