The Healey-Driscoll Administration recently took a concrete step towards addressing Massachusetts' housing crisis by releasing a Request for Proposals for the redevelopment of a 5.05-acre site in Bedford, per an announcement this week. The site, located at 210 Springs Rd on the Middlesex Community College Campus, is set to be transformed into at least 20 new family-friendly homes. This action is the latest development under the "State Land for Homes" initiative, an effort to repurpose over 450 acres of surplus state-owned land for residential use, aiming to construct upwards of 3,500 new housing units across the state.
Since the "Affordable Homes Act" came into effect a year ago, the process to effectively transition surplus land to development has quickened, a move aimed to streamline the selling of available state properties for much needed housing. The act mandates a minimum housing density of 4 units per acre, although Bedford has committed to increase this to allow to quickly offer 5 units per acre, provided certain conditions are met including unit size and family suitability, as reported by Mass.gov.
"This initiative is all about using the resources already at our disposal and turning underutilized state-owned land into housing so that we can lower costs for everyone," Governor Maura Healey emphasized in a statement obtained by Mass.gov. Her administration has been lauded for its swift action in transferring such parcels to developers, with local entities like the town of Bedford and Middlesex Community College actively participating in the initiative.
The lot, formerly used by Middlesex Community College for overflow parking and consistently underused for close to a decade, represents an opportunity for growth and evolution. Phil Sisson, President of Middlesex Community College, expressed the institution's commitment "to being a good neighbor" while also meeting the needs of their constituents, in a statement transmitted by Mass.gov. Moreover, Secretary Ed Augustus of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities remarked on the importance of this initiative to cut through bureaucratic challenges, collaborate with local partners, and address the housing shortage. The administration's concerted efforts have led to a significant impact, resulting in over 90,000 new homes built or currently under development since Governor Healey's tenure began.
Interested developers should note that the proposal window is closing soon on October 9. Following the selection process this fall, the administration aims to continue paving the way for increased housing development. For those seeking more information or intending to submit a proposal, details and the RFP document are available at Mass.gov.
