Medford Square Parking Lots May Be Redeveloped: City

MEDFORD, MA — The City of Medford is partnering with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to develop priorities and criteria for future redevelopment of up to three city-owned parking lots along Clippership Drive and Riverside Avenue through a community engagement process.

Building on key recommendations from previous planning efforts in Medford Square, including the 2017 Medford Square Master Plan, this effort will engage community members through a series of public meetings and focus groups to confirm priorities and inform development scenarios.

Ultimately, this effort will inform the approach and timeframe by which the city asks for proposals from developers, with the goal of attracting new development that benefits and enhances Medford Square.

Based on community feedback, the city may move forward with development strategies for all three lots or may only commit to a single proposal for one lot.

“We have an opportunity with these lots to implement smart, community-focused development that aligns with community priorities and will benefit our downtown Square by creating a more sustainable and accessible future for the area,” Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said in a statement. “We look forward to engaging with our seniors in the neighborhood, businesses, the Chevalier Theater, and residents to assess their needs and implement a strategy that recognizes their importance to building a more vibrant and thriving downtown area.”

As part of this process, Medford has hired landscape architecture firm Copley Wolff to generate new design concepts for Clippership Park and DCR-owned riverfront property in Medford Square.

The designs will look at opportunities to improve usable open space, reconnect Medford Square to the riverfront, and update bike/pedestrian connections to the commercial district. Community feedback on these concepts will be gathered during the engagement events.

“Reimaging these long-underutilized parking lots is a pivotal opportunity to breathe new life into Medford Square,” Viktor Schrader, Director of Economic Development, said in a statement. “Along with new housing, storefronts, and more efficient parking, redevelopment provides the City with an opportunity to leverage the new growth to accomplish other goals, such as reactivation of the riverfront and infrastructure improvements elsewhere in the Square.”

Launching in November 2022, this project is expected to conclude in June 2023, with the expectation of issuing an RFP at that time. Key engagement events are planned for early next year and later in the spring. Public engagement meetings are anticipated in January and April, with specific dates to be announced.

Residents and businesses can find more information and register for email updates at transformingthesquare.org or by contacting the Office of Planning, Development and Sustainability.