MBTA Searches for JD Partner for Alewife Complex

Courtesy of MBTA

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The MBTA held a joint development forum about transforming the Alewife Complex into a public transit and mixed-use development that includes a Red Line Station, a 2,733-space parking garage, and other rail facilities.

Now, the MBTA will have a two-phase approach when it comes to selecting a JD partner. The first is a Pre-Development Agreement wherein the MBTA will issue requests for proposals (RFPs) seeking developer qualifications by late summer. These proposals will be due in fall 2024 with selection expected to begin winter 2024. The MBTA reports this phase will “enable collaborative planning, design, and goal alignment.”

The second is a long-term lease. Under pre-conditions to development set forth in the agreement, “it is the intention of the MBTA to proceed directly to a long-term lease with its JD partner.” Additionally, the MBTA says it will host a site visit one week after it issues the RFP.

MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng said, “Mixed-use transit-oriented development opportunities like Alewife can really spur economic development in local communities, introduce more affordable housing, and assist the Commonwealth in its climate change goals. . . The MBTA is committed to partnering with the communities we serve to develop safe, walkable, interconnected public spaces focused around our stations. We thank the City of Cambridge for continued collaboration in this shared goal and look forward to this forum as we look to identify a joint development partner to move this project forward.”

In terms of what the MBTA is looking for, it states it is seeking “design, permitting, construction, financial, operations, and maintenance expertise to complement the MBTA’s capabilities.” The development of the complex will be coordinated with representatives from the City of Cambridge. 

“The Red Line is the backbone of public transit in Cambridge, and the transformation of Alewife station is critical to our transportation infrastructure. We have a tremendous opportunity to advance the City’s goals and benefit our community. I look forward to partnering with the MBTA to engage the Cambridge community on this critical project,” said Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang. 

Listed below are five “key priorities” the MBTA hopes to address in this redevelopment:

• Infrastructure Modernization: This includes overhauling aging systems and incorporating state-of-the-art technology to improve reliability and rider experience. Additionally, crews will upgrade signaling systems, platform accessibility and real-time information displays.
• Multimodal Integration: The MBTA will connect various transportation modes which include subway, bus, and commuter rail.
• Climate Resilience: Another priority will look to incorporate flood mitigation strategies and green infrastructure in order to protect against impacts from climate change.
• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): The space has “potential for housing, retail, and office spaces directly integrated with the transit facility.”
• Sustainability: With a focus on energy efficiency, this would include utilizing renewable energy resources and implementing water conservation measures in order to reduce the environmental footprint.

“This hub is in a location that serves Cambridge area community members in a lot of ways,” said MBTA Chief of Transit Oriented Development and Innovative Delivery Scott Bosworth. “This method of procurement is ideally going to lead to a lot of collaboration so that we can use the space in the most innovative and community-centric way possible.” 

The MBTA has asked that any general questions regarding the development site and/or process should be emailed to: [email protected].