The City has selected development company Transom Real Estate as a partner in the City’s project to transform three undeveloped city-owned lots in Medford Square along Clippership Drive and Riverside Avenue, into a combination of mixed-use retail and residential with ample parking options for our seniors and Chevalier theatre.
“These lots present a unique opportunity to transform Clippership Drive into a legitimate destination for our region and the proposal Transom submitted fits so well with that vision,” Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said. “It’s important to remember that this proposal is just that, a starting point and a potential look at what the space is capable of. There is work to be done before shovels hit the ground and the community will be involved every step of the way. I’m thrilled that this initial proposal adheres to the wishes and suggestions from our senior community as well as the team at the Chevalier Theatre, ensuring enough parking and accessibility options for both key stakeholders.”
Based on Transom’s proposal, the project will combine the creation of market-rate and affordable housing anchored with a 13,500 square foot grocery store, all in the context of a village square environment that prioritizes the pedestrian experience. This proposal dynamically addresses the City’s multifaceted objectives outlined in the RFP, creating a vibrant new community hub in Medford Square that is consistent with the objectives in the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Further adjustments and improvements to the proposal and the negotiation of a final land lease agreement will occur over the next several months, and the final agreement will be presented to the City Council for consideration and approval.
“I’m excited to work with Transom and our City staff to build on the strong foundation of this proposal to create a transformational anchor development for Medford Square and add even more community benefits as we work through the details of implementing this project,” City Council President Zac Bears said. “I’m confident that the Mayor, Council, our City staff team, and Transom can work together to prioritize housing production, affordable housing, economic development needs, new open space, riverfront activation, improvements to public buildings, and making streets and sidewalks in the area safer and more accessible for all Medford residents and visitors to Medford Square.”
MassDevelopment provided Real Estate Services Technical Assistance to the City of Medford to help the city develop a Request for Proposals (RFP) to find a qualified developer for these important parcels, and analyze RFP responses. This builds off the 2019 Medford Square Redevelopment Plan and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council's (MAPC) 2023 community engagement around the parcels' redevelopment and MAPC's community benefit and RFP criteria recommendations. To ensure an equitable and extensive review process for bids, the Mayor established an Evaluation Committee comprised of key staff and stakeholders including:
Mayor Lungo-Koehn and City Council President Zac Bears served as non-voting members.
Over the past several years the City, in partnership with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, has engaged with the community through a series of public meetings and focus groups to confirm priorities for the square and used previous planning efforts, including the 2017 Medford Square Master Plan, to inform the scope and direction of the RFP. With a focus on multi-family housing and mixed-use development, the City’s goal for the development is to support local businesses in Medford Square with new residents and upgraded parking options for the Senior Center as well as regional draws like the Chevalier Theater.
“The Site offers a unique opportunity to reimagine a central artery of the City of Medford that today exists only as surface parking,” Transom staff wrote in the RFP submission. “The redevelopment of the Site is a once-in-a-generation chance to energize the existing neighborhood and usher in the next stage of progression. Transom loves that the City of Medford recognizes this opportunity consistent with the priorities identified in this RFP. Transom proposes a development that acknowledges the historic character of Medford Square while simultaneously leveraging distinct design and placemaking to create a dynamic and welcoming central hub.”
Benefits for the City from the initial proposal include:
You can view the complete proposal here.