This Smart Growth development transforms an abandoned naval air base into a mixed-use development organized by greenways and trails.
This former naval air base, just 15 miles south of Boston, was closed in 1997. Several former framework plans were unrealized but contained the kernels of revitalization and rehabilitation. Working with an updated Land Use Redevelopment Plan, this design effort places resilience and green infrastructure at the heart of an ambitious new placemaking vision.
Covering nearly 1,450 acres in the towns of Abington, Rockland and Weymouth, Massachusetts, the proposed redevelopment program contemplates 6,000 new residential units across a site characterized by green buffer zones and nearly 900 acres of parks, woodlands, wetlands, and public open spaces. Commercial space is well integrated on the remaining developable land, with a careful balance of scale and phasing.
The heart of the site contains a mile long greenway that connects an existing 100-acre mature forest on the north to a wetland and grassland precinct at the southern edge. Along the greenway, a continuous multi-used trail is intertwined with a series of public amenity spaces. This framework reconnects habitats and ecosystems and connects people to nature and to each other. Across the site, a 6-mile-long trail loop winds through habitats and connects the adjacent open spaces into a cohesive experience. Phase one improvements on approximately 160-acres are paired with 2,800 residential units.
”The 1440-acre site is organized around a Greenway that traverses the development to provide safe, pedestrian-friendly connections to commercial areas, residential neighborhoods, and community amenities. This strategy reduces reliance on cars, encourages healthy lifestyles, and promotes community connectivity.
”The Town Center is the primary commercial district, with a multitude of shopping, dining and recreation options. An Event Lawn and Festival Street support a variety of programming opportunities from food trucks to craft fairs, creating a lively community core.
