To the editor:
In late May, we put forward a petition urging city officials to take specific steps to ensure My Brother’s Table can remain in its current home for the long term with additional community services in the building and affordable housing above the parking lot.
We would like to thank everyone who signed. The fact that more than 500 people and numerous organizations signed within a few days is a testament to the importance of My Brother’s Table and the support for community-centered use of the property.
To their great credit, Mayor Nicholson and numerous city councilors have previously stated their support for the idea of keeping My Brother’s Table in its current home and developing affordable housing above the parking lot. The fact that the mayor and many councilors share that goal with community organizations and residents is a testament to progress in making our city government more responsive and representative.
But turning that kind of idea into a reality is no easy task. In this case, problems beyond the control of the city government — from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to environmental contamination in the area — add to the challenge. Several times since 2021, the property has been put up for sale by the city with onerous conditions that made it impossible to guarantee the future of My Brother’s Table in the space. In each case, the building was not sold.
Because of all those factors, and in the context of the Trump administration’s assault on programs that fund development of affordable housing, the renewed effort to sell the building created some anxiety. If the conditions of sale turn out to mirror what was put forward by the city previously, the future of My Brother’s Table at the site would be in serious jeopardy.
The petition attempted to uplift the many ways My Brother’s Table is important to our city, provide community members a way to publicly show support for the longstanding community vision for the site, and clarify the steps needed to make this iteration of the sale process a success. Specifically, the petition called on the city to: ensure the building will be used permanently as a soup kitchen through a deed restriction; sell the parking lot together with the building; sell for a nominal price so the buyer can invest in much needed repairs; ensure the property can be used for additional resources needed by guests of My Brother’s Table and others; and ensure the affordable housing built on the property is created by a developer with a record of community collaboration to meet the needs of residents in cities like Lynn.
We understand that not long after the petition circulated, a very productive meeting took place involving the leadership of My Brother’s Table and elected officials, including Mayor Nicholson and several key city councilors. We are thrilled to hear that during the meeting the mayor and councilors confirmed full support for keeping My Brother’s Table and the multiservice center in place, for developing affordable housing on the parking lot site, and for taking important steps to ensure those goals are realized.
We are committed to working with Mayor Nicholson, the city council, our members, and Lynn residents to keep My Brother’s Table in place with new affordable housing above the parking lot. We believe the five points in the petition are key to ensuring this corner of downtown serves as a place of welcome for people from all backgrounds and a beacon for an inclusive, diverse, affordable, and vibrant Lynn.
Essex County Community Organization
Lynn United for Change
Neighbor to Neighbor, Lynn chapter
North Shore Labor Council, AFl-CIO
