Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Projects on MBTA Surplus Property
The T is currently involved in several TOD projects. For more information about TOD opportunities with the MBTA, please contact Transit Realty at 617-482-2525 or email the Transit Realty team at info@transitrealty.com.
Wonderland Station - Revere, MA
Location / Site Description
Fronting on Ocean Avenue and footsteps from Revere Beach, the property consists of three separate publicly owned parcels totaling approximately nine 9 acres and one additional privately owned parcel, all located immediately adjacent to the Wonderland Station. The site is currently used for surface parking, patronized mostly by commuters and summer beachgoers.
The site offers sweeping vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and Boston Harbor islands - all less than a ten 10 minute drive from Logan International Airport and less than fifteen 15 minutes from downtown Boston. The Blue Line itself also provides fast, direct access to Logan and to downtown Boston. The MBTA is presently studying several options for extending the Blue Line northward or making a "people mover" connection from Wonderland Station to a new station on the existing commuter rail tracks immediately west.
Planning Process
The MBTA engaged consultants to work with the local community to identify goals and develop a vision for the site. As a result of this process, the following objectives were formulated:
- Produce a high - quality mix of uses on this prime, yet underutilized, waterfront land in an orderly and timely fashion
- Meet state public policy goals for sustainable development and transit-oriented development
- Provide the best possible revenue return to the City of Revere from this underutilized real estate
- Create an architecturally and aesthetically pleasing development that complements the Public Waterfront Park and enhances the positive image of the new Revere Beach
- Takes full advantage of the site's proximity to the available transit facilities existing on the MBTA Blue Line at Wonderland Station, to
- Logan International Airport, and to downtown Boston
- Sets a high standard of development for other undeveloped privately owned Revere Beach parcels
- Generates economic development benefit for the beach area and the city in general in terms of:
- Job creation
- The local purchase of goods and services
- The potential to attract additional private investment
The Wonderland Station TOD Design and Development Guidelines that were issued as part of the Request for Qualifications for the Wonderland TOD site can be viewed below.
Download the Wonderland Design Guidelines
Development Potential
The site is zoned to allow the following uses by right: multifamily residential, office, and hotel development. Based upon existing zoning, the nine 9 acres could accommodate over 1 million square feet of office, hotel, retail, and/or residential development.
Time Frame for Completion
Working in cooperation with the MBTA and Department of Conservation and Recreation, Revere initiated a two-part process to identify developers for the site. Subsequent to the Request for Qualifications issued in February 2005, Eurovest Development Inc. was designated as the Wonderland redeveloper. Construction is scheduled to commence in Spring/Summer 2009 with completion projected 60 months thereafter.
For more information about the Wonderland Station TOD, contact Phil Jean at pjean@transitrealty.com.
Mattapan Square Station TOD - Mattapan, Boston, MA
Location / Site Description
The site is the location of the Mattapan Square MBTA surface parking area. This MBTA stop is the last stop on the Mattapan line, providing connectivity to the Red Line at Ashmont, and incorporates facilities for driving commuters, walking commuters, MBTA maintenance facilities, and a major hub for many neighborhood bus routes. The site is currently an underutilized parking facility of approximately 1.8 acres. Parking for approximately 100 commuters will have to be designed into the development. It is also anticipated that this site would accommodate some transit-related retail.
Neighborhood Context
The MBTA has worked closely with the Mattapan community regarding necessary station renovations. Station renovation is nearly complete, including the commitment to locate an MBTA police substation at the entrance to the station. The planned development of the underutilized station parking area will compliment the Mattapan Station renovation and complete the transformation of the station complex as a truly Transit Oriented Development that also served to enhance the larger Mattapan community.
Planning Process and Development Potential
The MBTA has worked closely with the Boston Redevelopment Authority and local community representatives to develop a set of redevelopment (use and design) guidelines for the site. These use and design guidelines will become an integral part of the MBTA's Spring 2009 Invitation to Bid ( " ITB " ), offering this development opportunity to prospective developers and helping guide their proposals for reuse of the site. Uses that have been included are: residential, retail, office, and community service space.
Time Frame for Completion
The Mattapan Station Development offering is expected to be available through public bid in the spring of 2009. Any proposed development of the site will be subject to further City of Boston and community planning processes.
For more information about the Mattapan Square Station TOD, contact Phil Jean at pjean@transityrealty.com.
Bartlett Yards at Dudley Station - Roxbury, Boston, MA
Location / Site Description
Formerly an MBTA bus maintenance facility, Bartlett Yards is an approximately 8.6 acre site located at the southwest corner of Washington Street and Bartlett Avenue in Roxbury. The site is just south of Dudley Square, and lies within ¼ mile of the Dudley Station, a major terminus of numerous Bus transit lines, including the new Silver Line, which connects to all parts of the City of Boston and other transit lines. Bus service extends down Washington Street connecting Dudley Square to Mattapan Square to the south.
Neighborhood Context
Bartlett Yards is located at a very prominent transition zone, connecting the mostly business/retail district just north of the site to the predominantly residential areas east, west, and south of the site. Bartlett Yards is a partnership parcel subject to a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by the Commonwealth, City of Boston, MBTA, and MDFA. The intention of the MOA is intended to 1) establish a development and disposition plan for each of the partnership parcels that will fully consider the unique characteristics of the land, 2) support a clear public purpose of increasing the supply of housing in Boston and creating opportunities for mixed-use development in certain communities, and 3) promote the highest and best use of the properties. Very recently the city of Boston and the Roxbury community completed work on a master plan. The vision of the community recognizes the MOA and the impact that this property has ton the revitalization of the Dudley Square district. Housing has been listed as the predominant use within the master plan.
At the Dudley Square Station, the Boston Redevelopment authority has announced the redevelopment of the Ferdinand Building that will potentially house over more than 200,000 square feet of state and city offices. A parking structure to support this project and other development in the area, including Bartlett Yards is being proposed between the Ferdinand Building and Bartlett Yards at the former Modern Electroplating site between the Ferdinand Building and just yards north of the Bartlett Yards site.
Planning Process and Development Potential
Pursuant to the MOA, the MBTA will work with the BRA and local community leaders - particularly, members of the Roxbury Oversight Committee - to develop a set of redevelopment use and design guidelines for the Bartlett Yards site. The resulting use and design guidelines will be incorporated into an RFP to be issued by the MBTA for development of the site.
Existing zoning yields approximately allow for 180 - 200 units of housing and retail/business uses along the Washington Street corridor.
Time Frame for Completion
The site has been bid and designation has been awarded. Currently under agreement, the project will undergo Article 80 permitting through the City of Boston.
For more information about the Bartlett Yards TOD, contact Francis DeCoste at fdecoste@transityrealty.com.
Newburyport Station TOD - Newburyport and Newbury, MA
Location/ Site Description
The Newburyport MBTA Station is a potential TOD site with over twenty acres of land, located along Route 1 at the Newbury\Newburyport city boundary. The station serves the MBTA commuter rail and also provides parking for 814 vehicles.
Neighborhood Context
Comprehensive long-range master planning efforts have been undertaken by the city of Newburyport. The city is currently in the process of establishing a Smart Growth District to encourage growth in accordance with the purposes of M.G.L. Chapter 40R. The city′s goal in establishing the Smart Growth District is to provide development at the Newburyport MBTA station characterized by a mix of residential and non-residential uses at a higher density than allowed in the general business districts of the city.
Planning Process and Development Potential
The MBTA is currently working with the communities in their planning efforts. Portions of the site have been deemed to be MBTA surplus. Air-rights development capabilities exist over the currently underutilized parking areas. A comprehensive design of the station area needs to be accomplished to accommodate the needs of the communities, while maintaining the important transportation access and needs of the station.
Time Frame for Completion
The community planning effort is ongoing. Once complete, an Invitation to Bid ("ITB") for the development of the various sites will be issued. It is anticipated that the city planning will be complete during 2009, with a development package ready in 2010.
For more information about the Newburyport Station TOD, contact Francis DeCoste at fdecoste@transitrealty.com.
Forest Hills, Boston, MA
Location
The Forest Hills station is a multi-modal transportation facility located at the end of the MBTA Orange Line in the Jamaica Plain section of Boston, MA. The MBTA owns Parcels S, U, V and W which surround the station area. The property is part of the remaining land after the development of the Southwest Corridor project, a depression of the old elevated Orange Line from South Cove to Forest Hills.
Planning Process
The Boston Redevelopment Authority, with the participation of the MBTA and local community groups, recently completed the Forest Hills Improvement Initiative. The goals of the initiative included promoting a mix of residential and business growth, preservation of open space, and developing Use and Design Guideline for the surrounding area. The Forest Hills Use and Design Guidelines were issued as part of the Invitation to Bid for the Forest Hills TOD sites and can be viewed using the following link:
Download the Forest Hills Improvement Initiative
Development Potential
The Boston Redevelopment Authority′s Use and Guidelines for the Forest Hill project allow for the development of multi-family residential, retail, office and commuter parking to accommodate over 400,000 square feet on the MBTA sites.
Time Frame for Completion
An Invitation for Bid for the MBTA parcels was issued in November of 2008. Proposals responding to the TOD offering are due in February, 2009 with the anticipated designation planned for May, 2009. Projected commencement of the development would begin twelve to eighteen months thereafter.
For more information about the Forest Hills TOD, contact Francis DeCoste at fdecoste@transitrealty.com.
JFK / UMass Station
On December 7, 2007 the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, (“MBTA”) invited interested parties to bid on the lease of development rights over approximately 4.5 acres of land located at the JFK / UMass Station at the intersection of Morrissey Boulevard and Columbia Road in Boston, Massachusetts.
Shortly after publication of the offering, the Boston Redevelopment Authority began a planning effort encompassing all of Columbia Point, including the MBTA. On March 18, 2008 the MBTA suspended the offering indefinitely.
The BRA study, which is nearing completion, addresses all relevant planning issues for Columbia Point. To promote its strong TOD potential, the BRA has made specific recommendations for the MBTA property. These include the construction of a public road through the site, provision of greatly improved pedestrian access through the site from Sidney Street, and inclusion of specific urban design elements to enhance the public domain for all of Columbia Point. To make these financially feasible the BRA suggests increasing slightly the allowable density and significantly the allowable height.
It is expected that the BRA work will be completed in spring 2009 and that the site offering will be re-issued shortly thereafter.