PHOTO: This design shows what Phase 1 of the new plan for the Riverside MBTA station complex. Courtesy Photo, MBTA
After nearly two years of mystery, we finally have answers about the planned mixed-use development at the Riverside MBTA station in Auburndale.
The MBTA Board of Directors approved a revised plan on Thursday for the project that scraps commercial space for more residential units.
Mark Development’s original proposal called for a mixed-use development—a million-square-foot complex with retail, offices, labs and 550 units of housing—and the Newton City Council approved that plan.
But after the COVID-19 pandemic sent construction costs to the stratosphere and interest rates followed, Mark Development paused the project in late 2022. And in that time, the state’s housing shortage has gotten worse and the new governor has made building housing the main focus of her administration.
“The developer is proposing a two-phased project, the first phase being residential only,” MBTA Chief Real Estate Officer Richard Henderson said.
The first phase will create 545 housing units—with 25 percent of them set at “affordable” rates—and 650 parking spaces.
The second phase, which hasn’t been mapped out yet, could include 150,000 square feet of office and laboratory space and another 650 parking spaces. Phase 2 is not mandated at all, and it could change.
“There would be a possibility that it [Phase 2] goes all-residential, so it might be close to 200 units,” Henderson continued. “But in our requirements, we’re requiring them to build at least 175,000 square feet, whatever that might be.”
And whether Mark Development builds offices or housing units, the MBTA is still requiring
Phase 2 include 650 MBTA parking spaces.
What if the developer doesn’t end up building Phase 2?
“We’d have our surface parking lot, which is sufficient to meet our needs for the foreseeable future,” Henderson said.
The MBTA has set deadlines for Mark Development to meet with the project. Phase 1 has to be done with permitting by Aug. 31, 2026. And any rendition of a Phase 2 has to be permitted by Aug. 31, 2028.
The deadlines are set to make sure the project is completed before the Riverside train station is set to be rebuilt in 2034.
The new plan will have to be approved by the City Council.
You can watch the entire MBTA board meeting here.
The Riverside announcement comes just after Northland Newtron Development announced it was changing plans for its Upper Falls development to include more housing and no office space. That development will still have restaurants and retail, however.