9 Brockton storylines to look forward to in 2023

BROCKTON — It's the season when newspapers round up the biggest headlines from the past year. But we're not doing that in this article. Instead, we're looking to the future, asking what the city's major storylines will be in 2023.

There's no doubt about one of them: the prospect of a new Brockton High or at least a studs-out renovation of the existing one. More on that below. The new year is also a city election year. Will Mayor Robert Sullivan seek a third term? Will City Council attract more candidates now that politicians nearly doubled the salary to $30,000? Will there be delays and cost overruns for the new public safety complex downtown?

Here are our educated guesses — supplemented by asking residents what stories they'll be watching — as 2023 begins.

A new Brockton High?

December 2022 brought news that Brockton had been waiting three years to hear: That the Massachusetts School Building Authority had finally agreed to help Brockton figure out whether to demolish Brockton High and rebuild it or give the existing campus a major renovation. It was the third year that city officials had applied for the program. BHS was one of 10 schools accepted into the program. Central Elementary in East Bridgewater and MacDonald Elementary in West Bridgewater also made this year's list.

It's a major milestone, but it will be years before shovels hit the ground or demolition begins. First, the MSBA and other stakeholders will decide the most cost-effective option. Even then, Brockton isn't guaranteed state help. Brockton goes on the clock in March 2023, and must complete a series of requirements by November 2023. If Brockton can't prove to the MSBA that the city has the needed financial and community support, Brockton High could lose its place and have to start over.

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Brockton High is among the state's largest schools at 584,000 square feet. It was built in 1970 for $16.9 million, according to Brockton Public Schools, and has had only minor renovations since then.

How much would a new Brockton High cost? We don't know yet. But Massachusetts is home to one of the country's most expensive public schools: Newton North, a 412,753-square-foot facility built for the eye-watering price of $197.5 million. For context, Newton North's enrollment is 2,098 to Brockton High's 3,800.

Brockton Public Schools has a website for residents to keep track of progress: newbhs.bpsma.org.

Public safety complex construction ramps up

While construction of a new Brockton High remains years away, 2023 will see the dirt fly in earnest on the city's new $98 million home for police, fire and public safety. The mayor said in his 2022 inaugural speech that it would open in 2024. Signs at the property say it's scheduled for occupancy in Spring 2025.There's a lot of work to do.

The long-awaited move would put Brockton police and fire headquarters in the same place, along with the city's emergency management and information technology departments. The facilities will take up the whole block on Warren Avenue between Highland and West Elm streets. The city has already torn down three existing structures: single-family homes at 18 and 26 Highland St., plus the Apollo House, which was a rooming house at 99 Warren Ave.

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Still standing is the original Brockton High School, which has a date with the wrecking ball in March 2023. Built in 1904, the brick building was most recently Champion High School, which the city moved to a new location at the former May Center nursing home.

Voters to choose a mayor and fill other local offices

The political calendar turns local in 2023, with Brockton's elected offices up for grabs. That includes City Hall's top job. Mayor Bob Sullivan may seek a third term, but he hadn't announced one way or another at press time. The slate of challengers may change depending on his decision. For instance, would City Councilor Moises Rodrigues launch a mayoral campaign, aiming to add an elected term to his legacy? Rodrigues has already been mayor, when fellow city councilors appointed him to lead the city following the unexpected death of Mayor Bill Carpenter. On Tuesday, Rodrigues said he plans to run for re-election as an at-large councilor, though he left open the possibility of changing his mind.

Some politics-watchers have already reported increased activity among potential candidates. A new element in the mix for 2023 is the much-higher salary being offered for city councilors. The sitting board voted to nearly double city council salaries starting in January 2024. The new salary of $30,000 may change the calculus for would-be candidates, knowing they'd take less of a financial hit.

There's also guaranteed to be at least one vacancy, as State Representative-Elect Rita Mendes plans to serve out her City Council term but not seek re-election. Mendes won more votes than any other candidate in the 2021 city election.

Preliminary elections are scheduled for September 2023, with the general election in November 2023.

City's lead pipes to be mapped and fixed

We all know the state of Brockton's roads. But running beneath them are pipes, many of them dating to the 19th century. An unknown number of them are lead pipes, which pose well-documented hazards. The Environmental Protection Agency is looking to get rid of every lead pipe in the country. At a May City Council hearing, DPW Commissioner Pat Hill said the city is obligated to be lead-service free by 2025. The city has been taking a $600,000 inventory of its lead lines. In 2022, the City Council approved borrowing up to $16 million for the larger pipe renovation project. Brockton will likely see a share of the $55 billion earmarked nationally for water infrastructure to get this done.

Will downtown finally turn the corner?

Brocktonians of a certain age remember how downtown used to bustle. For decades, city boosters have said a return to something like that kind of liveliness was around the corner, like a scout leader telling weary hikers there's just one more hill to climb before camp (no matter how many hills actually remain).

The new year could see the city build on entertainment bright spots like Brockton Beer Company. It should see several new market-rate apartment buildings either open to tenants (like the 18 apartments at Marvelous Marvin Hagler's old gym) or go under construction (right beside those apartments 50 units are being built in 2023.) The theory is that as new residents take those units and hop the train to good-paying jobs in Boston, that entrepreneurs will open bars, restaurants and other amenities. We'll see.

Will this be the year the old fairground's future is decided?

Perhaps no single parcel of land in the city attracts as many redevelopment rumors as the old Brockton Fairgrounds. The Carney family has confirmed the fair wouldn't come back, ending a 148-year run. The end of the fair leaves the future of the 45-acre West Side property unknown. Talk to any Brocktonian and you'll hear a different wish list. A convention center? A hotel? A warehouse facility? Something that brings good jobs for sure. Maybe 2023 is the year this piece of Brockton's puzzle falls into place.

Will the Rox new approach bring back crowds to Campanelli?

In their heyday, the Brockton Rox filled Campanelli Stadium. More recently, baseball games at the publicly owned facility have drawn sparse attendance. But new ownership at the Rox hopes to bring back the crowds, betting on the kind of gonzo antics pioneered by the Savannah Bananas. The Georgia-based franchise plays at Campanelli in August 2023. Co-owner Norm Laviolette brings a background running comedy clubs that you've heard of, and he's dead-set on bringing fun back to Campanelli.

Will the Hagler statue get made and put up on Petronelli Way?

Everyone knows about the city's giant Rocky Marciano statue. Brockton's Marvelous Marvin Hagler is due to have his statue put up on Petronelli Way, possibly in 2023. State Rep. Gerry Cassidy (D-Brockton) secured at least $150,000 in last year's state budget for the project. The city has been in the process of finding and hiring a sculptor.

The plan is for a life-sized statue that would be in a "pocket park" near the middleweight champion's old gym.

Will Soupman saga end?

One of the most heart-wrenching stories of 2022 was the scandal at Support the Soupman. The nonprofit had in recent years served hot soup, given away clothing and brought around portable showers for unhoused folks in and near Brockton. Talk to just about anyone living on Brockton's streets, and they'll have fond things to say about the Soupman.

Last year the charity's board accused founder Peter Kelleher of stealing money. It's a charge he vigorously denies.

The state Attorney General's office has, according to multiple sources, been looking into Support the Soupman's finances. Meanwhile, board President Christopher Cyr, who is Kelleher's nephew, has been taking steps to wind down the organization. Those efforts include giving away some of the donations still stashed at the group's West Bridgewater warehouse.

What'd we miss?

Any list like this is bound to be incomplete. If there's an issue you'd like to make sure The Enterprise keeps tabs on in 2023, please email CHelms@enterprisenews.com.

Send your news tips to reporter Chris Helms by email at CHelms@enterprisenews.com or connect on Twitter at @HelmsNews. Thank you, subscribers. You make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Brockton Enterprise.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton stories to watch for in 2023