By Jim Mitchell

The City of Revere hosted a groundbreaking ceremony last Thursday to mark the restoration and rehabilitation of the former McKinley Elementary School. The project will renovate the vacant building at 65 Yeamans St. into a mixed-use space featuring the Metro North Regional Emergency Communications Center (MNRECC), in partnership with the City of Chelsea and Town of Winthrop, and a state-of-the-art early childhood education center for Revere’s youngest learners.

Chief of Planning and Community Development Tom Skwierawski emceed the ceremony, which included local elected officials, state lawmakers, emergency response officials and school department leaders. The guest list included Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez, Winthrop Town Manager Tony Marino, State Senator Lydia Edwards, State Representative Jeffrey Turco, the District Director for Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, MNRECC Executive Director Whitney Morgan, Revere School Superintendent Dianne Kelly and project partners from PMA Consultants, Trac, CambridgeSeven, WSP and GGD Consulting Engineers, Inc. Everyone wielded a shovel.

Mayor Patrick Keefe called the project a full-circle investment in the community. “This is an historic event,” said Keefe. “We’re seeing a rebirth of this 125-year-old building filled with immense opportunities.”

The McKinley redevelopment is a landmark preservation project for Revere. By preserving much of the existing structure, the city is honoring its architectural history while adapting and reusing the space to meet modern, critical community needs.

“As mayor, I take pride in leading our city to new chapters while preserving our history,” said Keefe. “That’s a responsibility I fully embrace.”

The revitalized McKinley School, which will open its new doors in 2027, will be anchored by two major initiatives: MNRECC will be a tier-one, state-of-the-art emergency dispatch center. Marking a historic collaboration between Revere, Chelsea and Winthrop, this new regional partnership will unlock state funding, reduce municipal costs and expand emergency response capacity and efficiency across the Metro North region.

In addition, the Early Childhood Education Center will provide 210 new seats for Revere’s youngest learners, which doubles the city’s current preschool enrollment capacity. This increase provides affordable childcare options for working parents in Revere.

In February the City Council approved a $37 million bond authorization for the McKinley makeover. But $20 million in state grants are expected to cover most of the emergency call center. The School Department has contributed $6 million from covid relief funding, and State Representatives Turco and Jessica Gianinno secured a $100,000 earmark for the project.

Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez said joining the regional call center was a momentous change that took courage and a new way of thinking for Chelsea city leaders and first responders. “We are in difficult financial times, and we need to make bold decisions and collaborate with other communities,” said Maltez. “When we work together, we always win.”

State Senator Lydia Edwards was all smiles and well wishes. “Since I’ve been representing Revere, I don’t know how many groundbreakings, how many new things, how many new restaurants are coming, and it’s just so beautiful to see this city on the move,” Edwards told the crowd.

Turco attended the McKinley School for kindergarten through the eighth grade. “It made me who I am,” he said.

Turco was especially pleased to see McKinley take on a major role in public safety. “We’re going to prioritize our kids, and prioritize public safety,” he said.

Superintendent Dr. Kelly said the school department has been talking about an early education center for decades. “Although kudos are owed to everyone who participated, I have to give them to Tom [Skwierawski]. He has been leading all of this work and bringing us together.”

Kelly described the groundbreaking as a meaningful moment that honors the past — “There’s something powerful about bringing these two uses under one roof. On one side, we will nurture curiosity, creativity and the joy of learning in Revere children. On the other side, we will ensure the safety and well-being of every resident. That’s the heart of our community and the communities of Winthrop and Chelsea.”

“The revitalization of the McKinley School is a perfect example of what we can achieve through creative municipal planning and strong regional partnerships,” said Mayor Keefe. “Instead of losing a piece of Revere’s history, we are transforming it into a hub that will keep our residents safe and give our youngest learners the educational foundation they deserve. I am incredibly proud to break ground on a project that will benefit Revere, Chelsea and Winthrop for generations to come.”