Comité de Edificios Municipales: Malden River Works – 5 may 2026

Municipal Building Committee:

Malden River Works Salt Shed & Boathouse

Agenda

| May 5, 2026 | 11AM | Virtual Teams Meeting |

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/26476107111150?p=tcy9yoBIOrkfVDsjS3

Roll Call

• Deborah Burke - Present
• Peg Crowe - Absent
• Amanda Linehan - Present
• Nelson Miller - Present
• Paul Myers - Present
• Eric Rubin - Present
• Stephen Winslow - Present

Malden River Works Salt Shed & Boathouse Project Updates

Sustainability & Grants Manager Rebekah McPheeters provided high level project updates.

• Phase 1 Construction to wrap in June
• This meeting is about finalizing the design (and eventually estimate) for Phase 2, Salt Shed & Boathouse construction
• Phase 2 funding updates
• OSPCD to submit Section 108 loan application to HUD this week
• Senator Lewis is working on an earmark for Phase 2 as well
• We are still expecting to carry over some existing grant funding for Phase 2, and we are still pursuing Bayrd Foundation funding

Design Review of the Salt Shed & Boathouse

designLAB team to walk through their current drawings.

• The team consists of Sam and Jennea with designLAB, and Ryan and Marie with Landing Studios
• Sam showed slides with the current plans (attached)
• Two cost efficiencies found
  • Prefab trusses that will maintain a full wood interior
  • Cladded wood near the ceiling to let light in (Sam noted that the boathouse storage area does not need to be weather-tight)
• Other recent additions to the plans
  • Added a water bottle filler and fountain
  • Recommending a shower in the coach's office in case anyone falls in the river
  • Garage doors with windows for light

Q+A

• Deb asked whether the boathouse storage area should indeed be weather-tight, and whether we expect there to be gatherings in the boathouse.
• Marie noted that based on their research and feedback from the crew team, boathouses aren't a great place to invite the public, they can be dangerous
• Sam noted that the coach's office, bathrooms, and utilities closet will all be weather-tight/conditioned, but the boat storage area was never intended to be and does not need to be. He noted that having airflow will prevent mold and humidity.
• Steve noted that sometimes the City's wooden sheds get broken into. Might that be a concern here?
• Sam noted that the slats will be 10-12 feet in the air, with 4-inch gaps between them, so it would be difficult to break in
• Steve asked if we are planning to use "marine quality" hardware designed for rust prevention?
• Sam said yes, everything will be rated for outdoor use and appropriate for the environment.
• Steve asked about geotechnical considerations, as the area is a filled tide lane/tidal inlet? How stable is the fill?
• Sam noted that the team includes a geotechnical consultant, and that pilings are anticipated
• Nelson asked, where is the water fountain?
• It is planned to be in the interior of the boathouse, exterior of the occupied space (i.e., in the unconditioned space)
• Based on this, Eric asked that the design draw off the drain for the entire area to be able to winterize the fountain
• Eric will also send the spec for the City's preferred vandal proof water fountains
• There was some discussion about whether or not the water fountain is needed, and the consensus was "yes"
• Sam asked if everyone is comfortable with a wooden structure?
• Yes, as long as windows/doors/fixtures are strong/hearty/tamper-resistant
• Sam noted that the team should have cost estimation results by the next meeting

Next Steps

The next virtual Teams meeting is scheduled for June 4 at 12PM.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 11:38AM.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Maria Luise, ADA Compliance Coordinator at mluise@cityofmalden.org or 781-397-7000 Ext. 2005

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