After nearly two years of planning, research, community conversations, and surveys, Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez is proud to announce that “Chelsea ¡Pa’Lante, Onward!”—the City’s first comprehensive master plan in more than 50 years—has been drafted by planning consultants Utile. The draft will be available to the community at large for viewing at palante.chelseama.gov beginning September 10, 2026.
City Manager Maltez said, “This plan would not exist without the hundreds of Chelsea voices that shaped it. I want to thank every resident and business owner of Chelsea. You showed up to workshops and pop-up events. You took our surveys and held conversations with us on your front steps. You shared your hopes, your concerns, and your ideas for what our magnificent, diverse, and resilient Chelsea can be. I also want to extend my deepest thanks to the Chelsea City Council, our dedicated Steering Committee, community partners, city staff, and our consultant, Utile, whose skill helped translate community vision into an actionable plan.”
Now, beginning September 10 and with several weeks before the Planning Board votes to adopt the plan in late October, City Manager Maltez invites the public to share their thoughts by emailing [email protected] and/or joining any of the upcoming in-person community engagement sessions:
Chelsea Farmers Market ¡Pa’Lante, Onward! Tabling Event: Tuesday, September 15, 3–7 p.m. in Chelsea Square, 179 Winnisimmet Street
Open ¡Pa’Lante, Onward! Office Hours: Thursday, September 17, 3–5 p.m. in City Hall Room 305, third floor, 500 Broadway
Planning Board Public Hearing on ¡Pa’Lante, Onward!: Tuesday, September 22, at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, third floor of City Hall, 500 Broadway.
The product of extensive community outreach, Chelsea ¡Pa’Lante, Onward! is a 20-year roadmap for the city that reflects the community’s shared values and sets a direction for growth in areas of collective concern: housing, transportation, economic development, open space, and the many other systems that shape daily life in the city.
“A city that is not growing is a city that is dying,” said Maltez. “And this plan gives us the tools we need to grow and meet our potential. It outlines our shared values, as well as our communal vision for Chelsea’s future: ‘By 2040, Chelsea is a vibrant city where families can stay, businesses prosper, and our strong community networks help everyone thrive in safe and healthy neighborhoods. Our city continues to be a gateway for culture, diversity, and equity—drawing people from near and far,’ as well as the strategies to achieve our goals,” added Maltez.
The plan’s goals, developed in partnership with the community, are as follows:
Produce and preserve housing for everyone;
Grow our regional and local economy;
Connect residents to our community support services;
Invest in safe streets and strong communities;
Invest in neighborhoods that are just, resilient and connected; and
Build cultural pride and vibrant public life.
The Planning Board is scheduled to vote to adopt the plan during its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers.