LYNN — New affordable housing, a refurbished fountain at the Lynn Commons, and a cleaned-up King’s Beach were just a few of the initiatives Mayor Jared Nicholson outlined in his State of the City address Tuesday evening.
During his half-hour speech, which drew city officials, local dignitaries, and even Lieut. Governor Kim Driscoll to City Hall, Nicholson said that the city is poised to move forward.
“We’re ready for this to be Lynn’s time,” he said. “We’ve known all along that this is a great community whose strengths are too often undercounted and that we could be even greater with the right support. And we’ve put in the work. The foundation has been laid. The shovels are in the ground. We are hitting our stride.”
Tackling the housing crisis has ranked among Nicholson’s most important goals. He announced that three planned housing structures will break ground in 2025. These include the Hennessy House on Andrew Street, veterans housing at the Lynn Armory and senior housing at the Solimine House at the site of the former Union Hospital.
The city has also invested several million dollars in ARPA funds and affordable housing trust funds that will see the creation of another 565 affordable units.
Nicholson also touted the refurbished fountain at the Lynn Commons, which, he said, will be working in time for when Lynn celebrates 175 years of becoming a city this spring.
Another major goal for Nicholson will be clean-up of the waters at King’s Beach. “We know it is time to do things differently, and we’re ready to try new ideas,” Nicholson said. “We are ready to try something new this summer with a temporary ultra-violet treatment pilot, which we will be asking the Swampscott Select Board to support, and which, if it works, would make the beach swimmable this summer.”
Nicholson also plans to help the city reclaim its waterfront with the opening of Lynn Harbor Park. “What was once literally a dump has been transformed into a place for recreation and a point of pride for our residents,” he said. ‘“We’re ready to continue the momentum we have on the waterfront, to capitalize on one of the most important development opportunities in Greater Boston while making sure it stays true to our community.”
That project follows the former opening of playgrounds at Lynn Woods, Kiley Park, Barry Park and Cook Street Park. But 2025 will also see the opening of Keaney Park, the Gallagher Playground and McManus turf field. Nicholson added that the major overhaul of Sagamore Street Park is “next on the list.”
Nicholson also lauded the improvements of Lynn’s roadways, principally the extension of Blossom Street across the Lynnway directly to the ferry terminal, which is now operational. Last season, the ferry serviced more than 40,000 people, Nicholson said. And as for the city’s other roads, he added that Lynn set a record for the largest number paved in a single year.
Prior to Nicholson’s address, Lieut. Governor Kim Driscoll relayed that Governor Maura Healey has pledged $8 billion to invest in transportation over the next ten years. As transit remains high on Nicholson’s list of priorities, he said, “We’re ready for the state to finally deliver on their transit promises.”
For public safety, Nicholson plans to hire more police officers and will bring in two new engine and ladder trucks for the Fire Department.
Most significantly, Nicholson commended city officials and employees who continue the work of making Lynn a welcoming community. He addressed how the city would respond to the new Trump administration. “We’re ready to respond to whatever comes out of Washington,” he said. “We don’t know yet what that will be. But we are a welcoming, inclusive community. We’ll support all of our residents regardless of immigration status, or who they vote for. And we’ll fight for our values and one another.”
“But no one can predict the future,” Nicholson added. “Being ready, ready for anything that comes, also implies that your heart is full of courage and love.”
“After three years,” he said, “I can tell you that Lynn’s heart is full of courage and love.”
