By Brian Averback
Revere is a growing, diverse city, yet one glaring fact remains undeniable: we don’t have a hospital anywhere near us. For a community of nearly 60,000 people—and especially for our seniors—this gap is not just inconvenient, it’s dangerous.
A Health Care Desert in Our Backyard
Residents in Revere, East Boston, Saugus, and Winthrop must travel out of town for emergency or inpatient care. The closest hospitals—Mass General in Boston, CHA Everett, or Whidden—are all far away, often through traffic-clogged routes. In an emergency, minutes matter. For heart attacks, strokes, and accidents, those extra minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
For seniors, the lack of nearby hospital access is even more burdensome. Many elderly residents do not drive, and those who rely on public transportation face long and complicated routes just to see a doctor or visit a loved one in the hospital. At a time when our population is aging and health needs are increasing, this is unacceptable.
Why Suffolk Downs is the Right Place
The redevelopment of Suffolk Downs offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The site is large, centrally located, and directly connected to public transportation via the Blue Line. It sits at the crossroads of Revere, East Boston, and Winthrop, meaning it could serve tens of thousands of residents who currently lack a nearby hospital.
In addition, Suffolk Downs is already being planned as a mixed-use community with housing, retail, and green space. Including a hospital in this plan would ensure that the development serves not just luxury interests, but the real health needs of local families.
A Lifeline for Seniors and Families
For our seniors, a hospital at Suffolk Downs would mean accessible care close to home. It would mean not having to rely on a ride across Boston for a simple check-up. It would mean peace of mind knowing that if an emergency happens, critical care is just minutes away.
For working families, it would mean easier access to pediatric care, urgent care, and specialists without losing hours in traffic. For first responders, it would mean faster transports and better survival rates for patients.
It’s finally time to make this happen.
Revere is a city on the rise. But progress means nothing if our residents can’t access the most basic need: health care. Suffolk Downs is the right place, and now is the right time.
We need our city leaders, state officials, and the developers of Suffolk Downs to put health at the center of the plan. A hospital at Suffolk Downs would not just serve Revere—it would save lives. This needs to be a priority for All candidates running for office and not just me in Ward One.
Brian Averback is a candidate for Ward One City Councilor in the upcoming Nov. 4 election.
