Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces First Request for Proposals for Developers under State-Owned Land Initiative

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces First Request for Proposals for Developers under State-Owned Land Initiative 

Administration collaborates with Middlesex Community College and Town of Bedford to issue a Request for Proposals to redevelop an underutilized, surplus parking lot on campus into housing  

BEDFORD – This week, the Healey-Driscoll Administration issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of a surplus, underutilized 5.05-acre parking lot located at 210 Springs Rd, Bedford on the Middlesex Community College Campus (MCC) into at least 20 new homes. This is the first RFP issued by the state since Governor Maura Healey launched her “State Land for Homes” initiative, 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. 

The Affordable Homes Act, signed by Governor Healey one year ago this month, streamlined surplus land disposition by cutting red tape and speeding up the process for selling available properties and creating much-needed housing. The Affordable Homes Act allows housing on these properties with a density of at least 4 units per acre as-of-right. 

With the goal of increasing affordability, creating units suitable for families, and ensuring building and site designs consistent with community preferences, the Bedford Select Board went even further by offering a density bonus to permit 5 units per acre as-of-right on the Bedford property, provided at least 75 percent of units have three bedrooms, building heights are capped at 2.5 stories and units are no larger than 2,035 square feet.  

“This initiative is all about using the resources already at our disposal and turning underutilized state-owned land into housing so that we can lower costs for everyone,” said Governor Maura Healey. “My team is making quick progress getting these parcels into the hands of developers, and we commend the town of Bedford and Middlesex Community College for stepping up to be partners on this.”  

“DCAMM has been working closely with Bedford and MCC to make this project a reality,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This is a great example of what Team Massachusetts can get done when we work together – cutting red tape, moving forward with urgency and transforming land into homes for our residents.” 

Middlesex Community College previously used this lot for overflow parking, but it has not been used consistently for nearly a decade, as the college’s parking for students can be accommodated in the multiple lots adjacent to its Bedford properties.  

“Middlesex has enjoyed a decades-long collaborative relationship with the town of Bedford, and this RFP process continues that dynamic,” said Phil Sisson, President of Middlesex Community College. “This next step dovetails with the recommendations of both a Master Plan and a decarbonization process that the college has been engaged in for more than two years. We remain committed to being a good neighbor to our host communities in Bedford and Lowell, all while effectively serving the needs of our students, staff, and faculty.” 

“Governor Healey’s State Land for Homes initiative is transforming underused state property into housing we need," said Secretary Ed Augustus of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. “Thanks to the Affordable Homes Act, we're cutting red tape, bringing properties back onto local tax rolls and collaborating with partners like the town of Bedford and Middlesex Community College to create new homes. This is a model for meeting our housing shortage and bringing costs down for Massachusetts residents.”  

“The disposition of this surplus parking lot on the Middlesex Community College Campus is an exciting step forward for the Town, the State and the College,” said Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance Commissioner Adam Baacke. “DCAMM appreciates the robust collaborative engagement from local officials and the public which is reflected in the RFP and will help to move this project forward expeditiously as developers will have a clear picture of the consensus vision for the property and can have confidence that a proposal aligned with those priorities carries little or no entitlement risk.”     

Additional details and the RFP can be found on this page, with proposals due by October 9, 2025 by 3:00PM. 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.