Everett council postpones $3 million borrowing request for Everett Square after debate over parking, traffic and project priorities

The Everett City Council on a special meeting considered a request to borrow $3,000,000 to complete a $5,000,000 redesign of Everett Square but did not secure the votes to approve the borrowing and later voted to postpone the matter for more information.

City transportation director Jay Monti presented the council with a final design he said grew out of studies beginning in 2017 and 2019 and reported that the city has secured $2,000,000 in grants and identified $400,000 in capital funds. "We have secured $2,000,000 in grant funding, and we can start construction as early as June of this year should the funding be approved," Monti said. Monti told councilors the design aims to improve pedestrian safety by squaring off School Street, lengthening a bus stop and creating more flexible plaza space for markets and community events; he said his team found no net loss of parking after reconfigurations and cited parking studies showing about 30% weekday capacity available at peak times.

Residents who spoke during the public comment period voiced mixed views. Sandy Giuliano urged caution and said the $5,000,000 total — including the requested $3,000,000 in borrowing — deserved scrutiny because the plan was developed years ago: "Tonight's request, for borrowing $3,000,000 for the redesign of Everett Square should be given the same scrutiny," she told the council. Paul Austerini and others questioned whether the plan favors private businesses and raised concerns about lost parking and the location of bus stops and memorials.

Council debate focused on competing priorities and technical concerns. Councilor Smith said she could not support the plan as presented because of traffic and circulation worries, telling colleagues she had observed many drivers cutting through School Street and said the change to a right-then-left movement would slow traffic but could cause backups. Councilor DiPiero argued the design would calm a dangerous corner and attract activity, calling it a positive investment in the square. The mayor, speaking under the council’s five-minute rule, said the administration would preserve the 9/11 memorial and the Kevin Dunn dedication, described outreach to businesses and said the Mass Gaming Commission and a state legislative earmark supply roughly one-third of the funding.

Clerk-conducted roll call on the motion for favorable action produced a 6–5 result, short of the eight votes required for passage; the council president announced the order had failed. After a successful motion to reconsider, the council voted to postpone and refer the matter to its May 13 meeting, requesting additional information from the administration on funding details, traffic and parking analyses and other clarifying data.

Next steps: the item will return to the council on May 13 with requested additional materials and answers from the administration; if the council moves forward, Monti said the city would advertise the project for bid in May with a potential construction start in June and completion in fall 2025, contingent on funding and scheduling.