Neighboring Towns Oppose Local Office Project

STONEHAM, MA-Town officials here approved the Gutierrez Co.’s plans to redevelop the former Boston Regional Medical Center located across from Spot Pond here, but that does not mean that the company’s troubles are over. Neighboring towns are claiming that this redevelopment will impact them and they are considering legal action to stop it.

The project involves three six-story office buildings and a 1,101-car parking garage, the largest project in Stoneham’s history. Gutierreez was awarded the right to build each building 80 feet high and to sell the property to individual buyers. Local officials welcome the reportedly $1.2 million in tax revenues that the complex, called the Stoneham Executive Center, will generate as well as the creation of as many as 5,000 jobs. Previously, the site was a nonprofit hospital owned by a church and was exempt from property taxes.

“The mayor is opposed to this project,” Isabelle Brown, executive assistant to Melrose Mayor Patrick Guerriero, tells GlobeSt.com. Melrose neighbors Stoneham and the mayor is concerned about the increase in traffic. “The studies indicate that there will be 11,500 auto trips a day and that would be a major impact,” notes Brown. The site is located on the passway between Routes 93 and 1, that, according to Brown, is “already heavily traveled now.” An additional concern is the drainage from the project as the neighboring towns are located downhill from Stoneham.