Andover has sold its former Town Yard property for $4.5 million. The roughly three-acre parcel is slated for redevelopment as a mixed-use development along the town's old municipal works site. Demolition and construction are expected to follow.
A Long-Running Path to Closing
According to the Eagle-Tribune, the town entered a land disposition agreement with Minco to create a mixed-use development within Andover's Historic Mill District.
The roots of the project stretch back well before the sale closed this week. The planning process began years ago, and Andover voters approved the creation of Historic Mill District zoning during the 2015 town meeting — zoning that encompassed the area around the old Town Yard site and the nearby train station.
From DPW Yard to Mixed-Use Site
From DPW Yard to Mixed-Use Site Andover sought public feedback on development types for the site before voters approved the sale of the Old Town Yard property during the 2020 town meeting.
A developer selection process followed, and the town selected Minco in 2021 after a competitive process, according to andovermanews.com. The Select Board approved the Land Disposition Agreement in June 2023, and the Planning Board approved a special permit for the project in August 2024. MINCO Development is the project's client/owner.
What's Planned for the Site
The redevelopment is envisioned as a residential and commercial complex bringing housing, retail space and public amenities to the roughly four-acre site, the Mill District news outlet reports. Exact housing and commercial-space figures vary by source: Andover's own project page cites 165 housing units and 6,500 square feet of commercial space, while architecture firm Arrowstreet describes a 164-unit residential building with 6,000 square feet of amenity space.
Beyond housing and retail, Arrowstreet's description of the project includes a separate pavilion building with flexible community space and a café, connected to the residential building by a large public plaza. That plaza and pavilion are designed to host public events such as markets, art shows and performances. The design also calls for a landscaped, sloped pedestrian and bike path linking the site to downtown Andover, reinforcing improved pedestrian connections that officials have said the project will deliver.
Sustainability Goals and Construction Timeline
The development is designed to pursue Passive House certification for its residential building, along with LEED Neighborhood Development Plan and BD+C Silver standards for the project overall, per Arrowstreet. Under the terms tied to the sale, construction must begin within 60 days of closing, and the project must be completed by August 2029, according to andovermanews.com's reporting.
One remaining step identified in earlier reporting involves securing a drainage easement from the MBTA for stormwater management, tied to the site's proximity to the commuter rail line. The former DPW yard is the site of a long-awaited redevelopment project.
Town's Role Going Forward
The Land Disposition Agreement is part of the redevelopment project.
