BJ's Wholesale Club targets Brown Circle site

REVERE -- BJ’s Wholesale Club wants to build a local store on the site of a former junkyard near Brown Circle.

Mayor Thomas Ambrosino unveiled BJ’s initial interest in building in Revere this week, pointing to it as one example of how the city is attracting more commercial development.

He also pointed to the Channel retail development project set to begin in Mahoney Circle and construction of the Ocean Club residential project on Revere Beach. Eurovest, the Boston developer picked to build on land around the Wonderland rapid transit station, plans to start its project by building a beachfront hotel.

Ambrosino outlined the development projects during his state of the city speech to City Councilors, who praised the mayor’s remarks.

“Commercial development did not go as fast as we would have liked last year, but this year looks brighter,” Councilor at Large Anthony Zambuto said.

Ward 3 Councilor Arthur Guinasso said tax revenue from upcoming projects and others will help the city offset any declines in state money provided annually to Revere and other communities.

Guinasso supports introducing slot machines to the two local racetracks to raise money for the city and state. Estimates of gambling statewide revenue from the machines range from $500 million to $1 billion per year. Guinasso thinks Revere residents “overwhelmingly” support bringing slot machines to Suffolk Downs and Wonderland Greyhound Park.

Ward 4 Councilor George Rotondo said concerns Ambrosino raised in his speech about state aid cuts highlight the need for the city to save money by closely watching expenses. He has proposed improving city inventory control methods.

“We need to tighten our belts, prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” he said.

Council President John Powers praised Ambrosino’s commitment to building a new Paul Revere School and setting aside $1 million to acquire property for the new school site near the existing Revere School.

The city plans to purchase two Roosevelt Street homes, another on Revere Street and two lots to provide enough land for a new school. The city plans to acquire the land this year, clear it in 2008 and finish the new school by August 2009.