Mayor Lungo-Koehn's Statement on 440 Riverside Avenue

Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn has released the following statement on the purchase of the industrial property at 440 Riverside Avenue:

"The MBTA was the highest bidder and I have been working hard to make sure Medford does not become the regional location to store and maintain buses.

This vote by the MBTA board is procedural and allows for negotiations to continue between the MBTA and Market Basket.

I met with MBTA Commissioner Eng, his team at the T, the Market Basket team and the Lieutenant Governor last week to find the best possible path forward for the site, the neighborhood and our community. It is my understanding that we will continue to meet and that there is no sale imminent. It’s my hope that Market Basket is able to open a store at the site with minimal bus operations for the T, but ultimately this sale is up to the current owners.

Even though this is a private sale, I felt I had to get as involved as possible because our community has made it clear that access to affordable groceries is far more important and impactful to the neighborhood than a de facto parking lot for the MBTA."