At a Glance

  • The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is soliciting bids for the development of a 20-acre waterfront parcel in Fall River, a project that could attract $1 billion in private investment, according to a July 24 press release.
  • The request for proposals focuses on a narrow stretch of state-owned land along the Taunton River that once housed an elevated highway, which separated nearby communities from the waterfront. Project materials show goals include building up to 1,400 new homes and a mixed-use commercial district with access to existing commuter rail service.
  • Governor Maura Healey said in the press release: "We are turning decades of planning and infrastructure investment into an opportunity to build more housing, create jobs, and reconnect Fall River to its waterfront. We look forward to inviting developers to help shape the future of this remarkable waterfront and continue the momentum of the South Coast region."

Deep Dive

The parcel stems from MassDOT's Route 79/Davol Street corridor improvement project, which demolished an old elevated highway—parts of which were up to 600 feet wide—that had hindered pedestrian and bicycle access. According to the Fall River Reporter, the department has invested $135 million in the project to date.

The corridor sits adjacent to the MBTA's new Fall River station, which connects Massachusetts' South Coast to the broader region, including Boston and Providence, Rhode Island.

"By transforming the Route 79 corridor into a multi-modal boulevard, investing in the South Coast Rail, and improving community connections to the waterfront, we are excited to now issue this request for proposals for a transit-oriented development parcel," MassDOT Interim Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said in the press release.

According to the press release, the parcel represents one of the largest waterfront redevelopment opportunities adjacent to commuter rail in New England.

Under MassDOT's request for proposals, the agency seeks bidders with financial experience, the ability to close deals and perform, sound organizational capacity, legal compliance, and other relevant qualifications.

According to the Fall River Reporter, these criteria also include the developer's ability to deliver a large transit-oriented project featuring more than 1,400 housing units, mixed-use commercial space, and public amenities such as recreational areas. The outlet also reported that the agency is looking for one to three developers to take on the project.

The request for proposals sets an October 21 deadline for proposal submissions and plans a virtual information session for August 5.