Attleboro Redevelopment Authority in Collaboration with MBTA Releases Request for Qualifications for Downtown Development

The Attleboro Redevelopment Authority (“ARA”) in collaboration with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (“MBTA”) announced the release of a Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) for the Transit-Oriented Development site in Downtown Attleboro. The ARA has worked diligently with local and state partners to prepare the 6.5-acre parcel adjacent to the Attleboro MBTA Commuter Rail station for redevelopment, representing the greatest development opportunity in the city’s downtown area. The ARA seeks a qualified development team to deliver a mixed-use transit-oriented development project that would introduce approximately 600 units of market rate and affordable housing.

Interested parties will be invited to submit responses to the RFQ demonstrating their qualifications and ability to successfully develop the land in line with the City of Attleboro Transit Oriented Development District Vision + Plan (“TOD Vision and Plan”). The TOD Vision and Plan, the result of an in-depth community planning and visioning process, outlines the ARA and City’s goal to deliver more housing alongside supporting retail uses on the site.

“Mixed-use transit-oriented developments like the one to come in Downtown Attleboro are critical as we partner with local communities to promote economic development, introduce more affordable housing, and assist the Commonwealth in its climate change goals,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “The MBTA is committed to partnering with the communities we serve to develop safe, walkable, interconnected public spaces focused around our stations. We thank the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority for their work on this RFQ and look forward to collaborating with them as the project moves forward.”

“With the release of this RFQ, the ARA is looking forward to the selection of a Master Developer who can meet the vision for the area,” said ARA Chair Rose Larson. “This is an exciting opportunity for Attleboro and the ARA is pleased to play a role in expanding housing options in the City.”

The release of the RFQ represents the first phase of a two-stage process for selecting a Master Developer for the Site, during which interested parties will be asked to submit information highlighting their qualifications and ability to execute their development proposal. The second phase of the process will be the release of a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to a group of development teams selected under the RFQ process which will be invited to submit full development proposals. Responses to the RFQ will be due on August 14th with an anticipated release of the RFP to selected qualified developers in late September. The ARA hopes to select a Master Developer for the site by the end of the year.

General questions regarding the development site or the process should be directed to the attention of Rose Larson at ara@cityofattleboro.us.