RFI Plans from Developers will Help Inform a Future Request for Proposal for the Area

(MEDFORD)—Eight development firms submitted proposals, expressing their interest and vision for developing the 28 acres of City-controlled air rights above Wellington Station into a transit-oriented, mixed-use district, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced.

The City has hired real estate firm Cushman and Wakefield to assist with the administration of the RFI and evaluation of responses. The concept designs will help inform a future Request for Proposal that the City will issue as well as any additional planning that is necessary to act on the air rights. The City is also working collaboratively with MBTA representatives to understand operational needs and impacts.

“The City had been sitting on these air rights for decades and had not realized the potential the area had for creating a transformative environment for significant commercial and residential growth” Mayor Lungo-Koehn said. “We have an opportunity here to make a substantial investment in transit-oriented housing and mixed-use development which can make the Wellington area a destination for new businesses, families and workers.”

In September, the City released a Request for Information for the acreage above the MBTA owned land.  The proposed uses for the area include multi-family residential, hotels, commercial office, entertainment, ground floor retail, and parking (replacement, commuter, and public), in addition to public open space amenities, including bike and pedestrian connections providing access to an activated waterfront and beyond.

Summary descriptions of each proposal are provided here. The full proposals can be viewed at https://bit.ly/air-rights. More information regarding the Request for Information can be found here and on the City of Medford’s website (www.medfordma.org) under the Department of Planning, Development and Sustainability.

Questions and/or public comments may be directed to the Office of Planning, Development, & Sustainability at (781) 393-2480 or [email protected].