At Tuesday night's City Council meeting, the Economic Development Committee and full council took the last step in the process of authorizing the Malden Redevelopment Authority to develop a downtown urban renewal plan. 

Renewal discussions have been ongoing for nearly a decade, and National Grid's planned move from its downtown facility will make a future project a reality, according to Mayor Richard Howard. 

Howard and the Malden Redevelopment Authority Director Stephen Wishoski were on hand to provide support for the plan. 

Mayor Howard said it was a "once in a hundred year opportunity." 

Wishoski explained that the authority would research all potential uses for the site and would come back to the City Council in the fall to present the best possible plan. 

The authorization was made with unanimous consent. 

Other News 

• The Council voted to increase the cap on cost of living increases for Malden retirees on public pension plans. Previously, cost of living increases applied only to the first $12,000 of an annual pension. The Council raised it to $13,000
• The Council approved a plan that will provide the Police Department with the ability to break up groups of people who are smoking marijuana in public places.
• Each of the city's councilor's announced their wards' Independence Day plans. More information can be found on the Malden city website.