Governor Baker Breaks Ground on the Parkway at Union Point
Infrastructure improvements will enable the construction of up to 3,900 housing units and 6 million square feet of commercial and retail space
Weymouth – September 1, 2016 – Today, Governor Charlie Baker joined Congressman Stephen F. Lynch, Representative Ronald Mariano, officials from the towns of Abington, Rockland, and Weymouth, and the real estate development firm LStar Communities to break ground on the Parkway at Union Point. The $6.7 million roadway will unlock the $2 billion redevelopment of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station, by connecting Route 18 in Weymouth to the Bill Delahunt Parkway, which links the eastern portion of the former base to Rockland.
“For nearly two decades, the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station has been one of the largest, and most promising, economic development opportunities in Massachusetts,” said Governor Baker. “This infrastructure investment will finally deliver on the redevelopment project’s full promise, enabling the private sector to create thousands of jobs, and thousands of new housing units, in the region.”
“This milestone is the result of close collaboration with our legislative partners, the municipalities of Abington, Rockland, and Weymouth, and Union Point’s developer, LStar Communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Complex projects like Union Point require strong vision and strong partnerships with local stakeholders to invest successfully in infrastructure, jobs and new housing opportunities.”
The new parkway infrastructure allows for the construction of 800 new units of transit-oriented housing, as well as the construction of Union Point’s mixed-use town center district. The parkway extension is a necessary component to achieving the full buildout of Union Point, which will contain up to 3,900 housing units, and up to 6 million square feet of commercial and retail space, when complete.
“I am pleased that the Parkway extension is underway as it will connect the Bill Delahunt Parkway with the South Weymouth MBTA Station, improving access for commuters throughout the South Shore,” said Congressman Stephen F. Lynch. “By connecting Route 3 with Route 18, the Parkway will run from Rockland to Weymouth bridging surrounding communities and driving traffic to Union Point. I applaud Governor Baker, Mayor Hedlund, and our local elected officials for working closely with LStar Communities to ensure the development is transit-oriented and meets the needs of residents of Weymouth, Abington, and Rockland.”
The former South Weymouth Naval Air Station is currently only partially served by adequate roadway infrastructure. The 1.8-mile long Bill Delahunt Parkway, opened by the Commonwealth in 2013, links the eastern portion of development site to Route 3, through the Town of Rockland. However, the Delahunt Parkway stopped short of running across the entirety of the former base. As a result, there is no connectivity between the area surrounding the South Weymouth MBTA commuter rail station, where much of the Union Point development will be concentrated, and the Delahunt Parkway.
“This new roadway opens up opportunities for the public today and for generations to come,” said Transportation Secretary and MassDOT CEO Stephanie Pollack. “Through a public-private partnership with LStar Communities, this important infrastructure investment was able to break ground quickly and help catalyze a faster build-out of Union Point.”
“Union Point showcases our commitment to unlocking dynamic regional economic development opportunities across Massachusetts,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “By completing this parkway, and linking the existing Delahunt Parkway to the South Weymouth commuter rail station and Union Point’s future town center district, we are spurring the creation of new transit-oriented housing, restaurants, shops, and employment opportunities for the South Shore.”
Governor Baker broke ground on a half-mile-long parkway extension that will connect Union Point development parcels around the South Weymouth commuter rail station to the Delahunt Parkway. The $6.7 million parkway extension, financed by MassDOT, will also provide roadway frontage for Union Point’s future mixed-use town center.
“This is a significant day in the long history of this project,” said Representative Ronald Mariano. “I have always felt that it would be a recipe for success for this development to have the ability to connect to both Route 3 and Route 18 on the other side. The completion of the roadway with this investment of state money will make that connection a reality and allow the vision and potential for this site to take hold. I want to commend Governor Baker and his administration for seeing the value of this investment, and understanding the potential that many of us local officials have long believed in.”
“As a Weymouth Town Councilor for the past eleven years, I have seen the South Weymouth Naval Air Station transform into what is already a growing, modern community,” said Senator Patrick O’Connor. “The progress being made at Union Point has been remarkable. The construction and completion of this portion of the parkway through Union Point will allow this development to reach its full potential by creating both homes and jobs for the residents of the South Shore and Metro Boston.”
“This expansion will allow construction to move forward on this vital project which will serve as an economic engine for our entire region for many years to come," said Representative James Murphy. “I want to thank the Governor, his administration, as well as my colleagues for supporting this important investment."
“The Parkway extension represents the latest important milestone in fulfilling the goals of Union Point,” said Weymouth Mayor Robert L. Hedlund. “I appreciate all who were involved to make this possible, with special thanks to the Baker-Polito Administration, the Weymouth Town Council, our legislative delegation, our partners in Abington and Rockland, and the SouthField Redevelopment Authority Board. This was truly a collaborative effort that is a key part to the success at Union Point.”
“Today we are celebrating the model for how government and private enterprise can work together to boost our economy and create new opportunities for an entire region,”said Kyle Corkum, managing partner of LStar Communities. “This new road, which could not have been built without the advocacy of our political leaders, will be a major factor in the growth of Union Point and the economic growth of the region. We've already signed new commercial and residential developments as a result of this important parkway, and we look forward to sharing some exciting announcements in the weeks to come.”
The parkway extension is expected to be substantially completed in November 2016.
