Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Newly Available Bridgewater Parcel under State-Owned Land Initiative

Bridgewater, MA — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration issued its second Request for Proposals (RFP) since launching the “State Land for Homes” (SLFH) initiative in June, to transform a 1.59-acre vacant, undeveloped lot in Bridgewater into new homes. A recent project on a similarly sized lot under the same zoning was approved for 77 residential units in June, an indication of the potential for this parcel as well.

The lot sits on the Bridgewater State University campus (BSU) and is being made available for housing development following BSU’s determination that it is surplus. The selected proponent will have the opportunity to leverage multiple local and state development tools that expedite housing development, including both Governor Healey’s Affordable Homes Act and the MBTA Communities Act.

The Administration's State Land for Homes initiative is an inventory of more than 450 acres of surplus state-owned land that could be used for the development of 3,500 new housing units across Massachusetts. Last month, the Administration issued its first RFP under the SLFH initiative, seeking developers for a 5.05-acre surplus parking lot in Bedford.

“We’re not wasting any time when it comes to putting these vacant properties out to bid so that we can get housing development going,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This is the second parcel we’ve made available to developers in the last month, and it is great to see higher education institutions such as Bridgewater State University participating in this transformative initiative. Together, we are going to build more reasonably-priced homes and lower costs for everyone.”

“This project is a great example of what our Affordable Homes Act and the MBTA Communities Law make possible – space to build more housing where it works best for communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I’m excited to see what this parcel will be turned into and how it will improve the lives of local residents. I’m grateful to Bridgewater State and the town of Bridgewater for the leadership and partnership.”

This parcel is located in Bridgewater’s MBTA Overlay zone, which authorizes a density of 15 units/acre as-of-right. In addition, the Town’s underlying zoning code allows for even greater density.

“The State Land for Homes initiative is about speed and impact — taking vacant state properties and turning them into the new housing we need,” said Secretary Ed Augustus of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. “Thanks to Affordable Homes Act, we’re cutting red tape, creating housing and putting properties back on local tax rolls. I want to thank the town of Bridgewater and Bridgewater State University for stepping up as strong partners in this process and helping to show what we can achieve.”

This project also closely aligns with the planning goals of both the University and the Town, detailed in the town of Bridgewater’s Vision to Reality initiative. The site is walkable to the commuter rail station, Bridgewater State University’s main campus and downtown Bridgewater, making the location ideal for housing development.

“The Town has identified 106 Hale Street as an underutilized property as part of our Vision to Reality initiative,” said Bridgewater Community and Economic Development Director Robert Rulli. “The redevelopment of this site and the opportunity to add it back to our property tax rolls is something to be very positive about.”

Bridgewater State University identified this site as an underutilized piece of their campus and will reinvest the proceeds from the sale of the land back into the campus. BSU intends to renovate the Harrington Hall front entrance for accessibility, a project that aligns with strategic planning priority of upgrading the physical campus both to modernize and enhance sustainability.

“Bridgewater State University is excited to have its former property at 106 Hale Street presented for redevelopment.  This potential development will create new housing for the Town, eliminate blight and return it to the tax rolls providing tens of thousands of dollars in new annual tax revenue for the Town of Bridgewater,” said Bridgewater State University President Fred Clark. “Most importantly it further strengthens the connection between the University and Bridgewater’s Downtown. We’re thankful to the Healey/Driscoll administration for committing the sale proceeds of the property to fund deferred maintenance and capital improvements on the BSU Campus.”

“This disposition is a great step forward toward revitalizing this vacant lot in a prime location with proximity to both the Bridgewater State campus and Bridgewater’s downtown,” said Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance Commissioner Adam Baacke. “This parcel represents an opportunity to both build new housing units and leverage the sale proceeds to help the school to address accessibility and deferred maintenance needs on the campus.”   

Additional details and the RFP can be found on this page, with proposals due by November 13^th at 3:00 pm. DCAMM intends to make a developer selection this Fall.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has made housing a top priority, starting with the creation of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities in 2023. Since then, the Administration has initiated a comprehensive approach that includes passage of the $5 billion Affordable Homes Act, implementation of the MBTA Communities Law, creation of the Momentum Fund, the new State Land for Homes initiative to jumpstart housing production on state land, sizable increases in housing tax credits and subsidies and the elimination of renter-paid broker’s fees. As a result, more than 90,000 new homes have been built or are in development since Governor Healey took office.

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