Council Approves $16.5M Wonderland Land Bond

Select Board · Meeting of October 26, 2026

Revere City Council approved a $16.5 million bond for the Wonderland eminent domain land taking, with Council President Anthony Zambudo calling the underlying deal "the biggest fiscal mistake in the history of the city" even as he voted yes. The council also separately approved $916,000 in related legal fees, mostly to the firm Foley Hoag, and reversed an earlier denial to fund $125,000 for Garfield School elevator design, 9-1 with one member voting present. A contentious hearing on a new rental registry ordinance drew opposition from 85-year-old resident Joanne Giannino, who said fees and a public landlord registry would hurt seniors relying on rental income, calling $3,000 monthly rent "$36,000 a year before expenses." Councilors voted 9-1 to approve a street layout clearing the way for MassWorks-funded signal and road work at Overlook Ridge Drive.

CFO Richard Vizquez said combined bond and legal costs for the Wonderland taking remain under the project's $493 million ceiling.

In the full story:

• Ceremonial Honors
• Rental Registry and Short-Term Rental Ordinance
• Overlook Ridge Drive Street Layout
• Wonderland Eminent Domain Bond Authorization
• Repeal of Council Packet Delivery Ordinance
• Special Permits: Doggy Port, Auto Storage Facility, Winthrop Avenue Addition
• Coolidge Street Smart Growth Overlay District
• Garfield School Elevator Funding
• Public Comment and Remaining Business
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 3,954 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of October 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.