Not impressed...what the h*** is this. A couple of chairs, empty book shelf, a chess board....and whoa it is supposed to be a center that will start enriching the teens.
what a waste.

While a teen center is a great idea and I hope this serves them well, and that they have the respect to act responsibly and keep it in good condition....I can't help from the photos to be reminded of the elderly assisted living center my father went to when he was in failing health. Sans the hospital beds, the center does not look like teens had much input into the layout or furnishings. Its fine if it is supposed to be a place to watch TV, do arts and crafts or study, but where are the video games, basketball hoops and skateboard ramps? Also, let's hope the safe door no longer locks!

Why was this built? Please, no opinions, an official explanation would be great.

i'll tell you what, a teen center would have been great when I was in High School. Somewhere to go and hangout, play games, exercise, but not in a sporadic/ can't go here event. I'm sure most of this stuff was donated, and funds are low to make it free for everyone. But this will definitely need some more stuff to be a success. Right now it looks like a waiting room for the doctors.

A Teen Center, what a great idea! At a time when teen violence in Malden is on the rise it is wonderful that there is a safe place that kids can go and stay off the streets. Until now teens had very little available to them. Many would hang out at the Library and linger all day into the night. I am so glad that I live in a community in which we have a local government that values our youth and is willing to put the time and money into their future. Kudos to Gary Christianson, Greg Lucey and everyone else who had the insight to make this a reality. I don't have children that will be using this facility, but I am glad that it is accessible to those who do. Thank you.

Could we at least try to be positive about the Teen Center and see what happens. It is costing the city very little compared to some of the other things that we don't need. When I was growing up here, we use to hang out down Malden Square, there would be 50 to 100 kids hanging out on a Friday or Saturday night, no trouble, an occasional fistfight maybe but there was not "violence" like today. Today if the kids were to hang out like that you don't know if one of the kids standing next to you will be a target of a driveby shooting. Some of these kids have no one at home in the afternoon because both parents have to work. Maybe, just maybe, they will welcome having an adult that, if they are having a problem of any kind, they can talk to instead of having to wait for parents to come home who may be just too tired to listen. Lets just give a chance before we bash it.

Looks great! So excited for the kids to get their own place to to go to. I have some games and books to donate and will be down this week. Thanks to those who made this happen. My kids are in college now and I know the value of having a place like this available for the kids that doesn't cost anything to be at. The kids of this city have deserved to have a club like this where they feel valued.

Let's support this to make it the best around. Maybe they could put together a "wish list" and the supporters like myself could pick something to donate. This could be an ongoing project and would get the city involved in a place belonging to all of us, including the taxpayers who are paying for it.

Kudos! Best wishes for a successful facility!

I'm going to put this in the best words possible...

The ones who are the good kids, are going to use it. I can bet a large set using the place to do homework while slightly distracted in the company of friends.

The ones that scares Suzanne... they're not going to use it, they are still going to hang around the streets and scaring people or worse.

The place will be used, but it's not going to address what Suzanne or anyone else who spoke negatively about the kids.

I like the idea of a wish list! whether or not they are new or used would never have bothered me 10 years ago. I always just wanted something to do. your right though, good intentions are only as useful as the will of the people. you can lead a horse to prune juice, but you can't make him drink it.

I think this is a great idea and I truly hope it takes off and works out. But I do have a random question, why is there a big flat screen TV in the "reading room"? I feel that if it is a room for reading, there should not be a TV there...just my opinion. But other than that, I wish the Center good luck!!!

I wonder if the people who are already criticizing it have done anything to contribute to it? It's easy to sit back and think the worst. I say "give it a try" and be positive about it. Teens read The Patch and it's sad to read negative adults bashing it before it even opens. It is discouraging. Kids need a place to hangout. Even though it doesn't look "cool" yet, that's ok. I would be offended if I'd been the one who donated some of the furniture and people are making fun of it saying it looks like a nursing home or a doctors office. Where's the gratitude? I wish all the people who are volunteering and organizing it, Best Wishes for Much Success.