Malden Breaks Ground on Historic Site of New Development

MALDEN, MA - A longtime vacant lot in Malden will be the site of 80 senior housing units while retaining its historic designation. The two and a half acre site, which broke ground this week and will be the Forestdale Park Assisted Living & Memory Care Facility, was once well known as the Malden “poor-farm” which provided food to those who lived on the farm.

The new facility will include studio and one bedroom apartments for assisted living, an 18 bed Memory Support Unit, and will offer residents a multitude of services and supports based on each resident’s needs, a release said. The estimated private investment in the project is $28 million and expected completion is in October of 2017, a release said.

It was the intention of the city and of the Malden Redevelopment Authority to maintain the historical significance of the building which will be restored and preserved by Developer VOA. In 1955, the poor farm evolved into the City run McFadden Manor Nursing Home, a release said. The nursing home closed in 2009 and fell into disrepair, a release said.

“Not only will this project serve members of our community similar to the way that McFadden Manor did for many decades, it will preserve a historical Malden site,” said Mayor Christenson. “I’m grateful to State Representative Paul Donato, City Council President Barbara Murphy and MRA Executive Director Deborah Burke for their committed determination in bringing this project to fruition.”

Weekly construction updates regarding progress will be posted on the City of Malden Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofmalden.