Emerson School Site Sold to Charter School

The following was submitted by the Malden Redevelopment Authority. 

Malden Mayor Gary Christenson and representatives of the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School (MVRCS) have signed a purchase and sale agreement for the Emerson School on Highland Avenue. The purchase price was $1.3 million and the proceeds from the sale will be used to make capital improvements, including security upgrades, in Malden’s public schools.

In commenting about the transaction, Ward Two City Councillor Steven Ultrino said: “This is a great fit for the neighborhood. The neighbors have been accustomed to having a school in this area for more than 100 years. The Charter School has proven itself to be a good neighbor and pays particular attention to the upkeep of its properties. This will be a welcomed addition to this section of Highland Avenue.”

The MVRCS intends to use this facility as an extension of its high school which is located in another building a few hundred feet away at the corner of Charles Street and Highland Avenue. The MVRCS is planning to invest some $1.5 million in the renovation of the property.

Fran Brown, Treasurer of the Mystic Valley Board of Trustees, said: “The purchase of the Emerson School will accomplish many goals for Mystic Valley. Due to the unprecedented retention rate of our students we have a greater need for high school space than we had anticipated a few years ago. Acquiring the Emerson property will allow us to expand our high school campus on Highland Avenue without much disruption to the existing space. The Emerson will remain a school building. This is important as it is clearly what the neighborhood wants. Councillor Ultrino is an important supporter of this concept along with Mayor Christenson and his staff. This will allow Mystic Valley to continue its record of being a good neighbor and of helping to improve the neighborhoods we operate in.”

The Emerson School, located at 230 Highland Ave., in the City’s Edgeworth section, was removed from active use as a public school as a result of the City of Malden’s new school rebuilding program in 1999. This is the third public school building, surplused and sold by the city, as a result of that rebuilding program.

The City, through the Malden Redevelopment Authority, advertised the Emerson School for redevelopment several months ago. Two proposals were submitted including the proposal by the MVRCS and one from Pizzuti Development of Boston for the redevelopment of the site for condominiums. Neighbors voiced their overwhelming support for the MVRCS proposal at a neighborhood meeting sponsored by Councillor Ultrino this past fall.

Mayor Christenson added: “I am pleased that we have achieved the goals of Councillor Ultrino and his constituents by keeping the property as a school and I am happy that it will be the MVRCS who will be that school to carry the educational torch ahead. They have proven what it means to be a part of the Malden community and I look forward to working with them at their new location.”

In addition to the $1.3 million purchase price for the property and the $1.5 million in planned renovations, the MVRCS agreed to beautify the existing World War II memorial in the front of the school and has agreed to provide $10,000 a year for 10 years to the three ward funds in which their properties are currently located.

“I look forward to a longstanding partnership with the MVRCS,” Councillor Ultrino added.