Developer Sought for 1,440-Acre Former Naval Base

WEYMOUTH, MA-The South Shore Tri-Town Redevelopment Authority, the public entity created by the state legislature for the purpose of overseeing upgrades to the 1,440-acre former naval air station, is looking for a master developer to join a public/private partnership to redevelop the base, the largest such project in the Greater Boston area.

According to Kenneth Goff, executive director of the base redevelopment authority, over 60 regional and national entities have indicated an interest in the site, which is zoned for 3.5 million sf of mixed-use construction plus a golf course and senior housing. Initial expressions of interest are due from developers by July 12, with full submittals due by July 31. A final decision will be made in the fall.

The Development Corporation’s decided to focus on a public/private partnership in the hopes that the initial redevelopment of station would move more quickly. “This form of public / private partnership is the preferred approach,” says Goff. Adds Development Corporation board chairman James W. Lavin, “This decision is one of the most significant actions the Board has taken since it voted down a retail mall concept in December 2000.”

The first stage of the development phase includes construction of up to 300,000 sf of office space and up to 300 units of senior housing on the base’s northwest quadrant.