As part of Mayor Paul Brodeur’s efforts to increase public awareness about the progress of the Melrose Public Safety Building Committee (MPSBC) plan to renovate or replace the City’s public safety buildings, the City of Melrose is pleased to announce that the MPSBC has developed a website dedicated to informing the public around the committee’s efforts-to-date since the committee was reestablished by Mayor Brodeur in late 2021.

The website, MelrosePSB.org, includes a project timeline, information about the project’s team, a page dedicated to frequently asked questions, and will soon include updates regarding future MPSBC meetings and more. Please note that website is best viewed on a desktop computer and laptop. Those viewing the website on the phone may need to edit their phone’s browser settings to activate “Request Desktop Website”.

“I am excited by the committee’s progress to date including the launch of this informative website that the public can use as a tool to learn more about the need for modern public safety buildings, “said Mayor Brodeur. “I am grateful for their commitment to engaging the Melrose community as we move forward with developing an actionable plan for these critical buildings that everyone can get behind.”

The City’s public safety buildings include the Melrose Fire Department, which currently occupies three buildings: the fire headquarters located at 576 Main Street was constructed in 1895; the West Side Fire Station located at 206 Tremont Street dates from 1930; and the East Side Fire Station at 280 East Foster Street station was constructed in 1964; and the fourth public safety building, the  Melrose Police Department, is headquartered at 56 West Foster Street in a former Bell Telephone Building that dates to 1900.

Building upon the efforts of prior administrations that did not result in a plan that was supported by all stakeholders, in late 2021, Mayor Brodeur re-established the Melrose Public Safety Building Committee to provide recommendations for how to renovate or replace the City’s public safety buildings. The committee initiated its effort by reviewing the previous feasibility study for public safety buildings completed in 2017 and is currently developing recommendations that balance both the needs of the City and the effective use of our tax dollars.

Since being re-established, the MPSBC has studied how surrounding MA municipalities have upgraded their public safety building infrastructure and are learning from their planning and execution. This will be a major, multi-year project for our city to undertake. The actual cost will depend on which plan Melrose selects, the architectural, engineering, construction, and land costs, and the phasing of the project.     

In October 2022, the City Council approved the Melrose Public Safety Building committee’s request for $68,500 for design services for an architectural firm to complete pre-design services for proposed upgrades to the city’s fire and police stations. In November 2022, the City’s State Delegation secured an earmark of $150,000 to go towards more immediate repairs for the Melrose Fire Department Headquarters.

In spring 2023, the MPSBC will engage the community around the yet-to-be-completed pre-design of the project and will seek community feedback. By late spring 2023, the committee will submit a formal recommendation to Mayor Brodeur and City Council. This recommendation will include at least two viable options, costs, phasing, and the timeline for the City and public to consider with the Committee's assessment of the pros and cons of each plan.