MassDevelopment Chooses Four Baystate Teams to Vie for Right to Build Model Green Housing in Devens

August 18, 2009

Contacts:
Mark Sternman, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2034
Janet Hookailo, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2018
Note: Company contacts listed at end of release

MassDevelopment today announced the selection of four teams led by Massachusetts-based developers to compete for the right to build moderately priced single- and multi-family zero-net energy homes in Devens. Evergreen Village Collaborative of Lexington, The Lane Companies of Framingham, Metric Construction Corporation of Boston, and Transformations, Inc. of Townsend were chosen from a field of nine groups that responded to a call for qualifications in April 2009.

In January 2010, the agency will choose up to two groups to purchase and develop all or parts of two land parcels in MassDevelopment’s award-winning Devens development located off Route 2 about 35 miles northwest of Boston. Teams must submit site plans, schematic designs and financial information as outlined in a formal Request for Proposals. The selected developer or developers will be expected to buy the properties and break ground in April on housing that will set the standard for green residential construction across the Commonwealth and beyond. Once the homes are occupied, their energy efficiency will be monitored for a year.

“When Bristol-Myers Squibb received all of its permits in just 49 days to build the largest capital investment in its history, Devens demonstrated that it had set the standard for fast-track permitting in Massachusetts,” said Robert L. Culver, MassDevelopment President and CEO. “Today’s announcement signals the intention of MassDevelopment to set the standard for environmentally sensitive, cost effective, energy efficient housing that can be replicated across the Commonwealth.”

Available for development are two sites in Devens: 26,000 square feet on a subdivided 1.2-acre parcel on Bates Street for up to twelve multifamily units, and a 3.42-acre parcel on Adams Circle made up of eight single family lots. Proposals must demonstrate the use of current and emerging sustainable construction methods and materials, provide for environmentally sensitive design, easy maintenance and healthy indoor living space; be financially feasible; offer a model for near-zero or zero-net energy housing development; and sell for between $225,000 and $350,000.

The Devens project supports Governor Deval Patrick’s goals for zero net energy development in Massachusetts. By creating both green-energy jobs and attractive green housing at a reasonable price, this project also will fulfill ongoing twin objectives at MassDevelopment, namely, to increase economic development activity as well as the availability of housing options that promote sustainability.

“We were proud to serve on the Governor’s Zero Net Energy Task Force,” added Culver. “Now we want to prove that Massachusetts’ vision for sustainable, low energy construction can be achieved at an attractive price for the average homeowner.”

MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development authority, works with businesses, financial institutions, and local officials to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. MassDevelopment owns and operates Devens. During FY2008, MassDevelopment financed or managed 265 projects statewide representing an investment of more than $3 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are supporting the creation of 4,001 housing units and more than 10,384 jobs: 5,424 permanent and 4,960 construction-related.

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Evergreen Collaborative
Robert Easton, Principal
Ajax Development Partners, LLC
Lexington, MA 02421
781-863-5664

The Lane Companies
Richard O’Dwyer, Principal
Icon Architecture
Boston, MA 02111
617-451-3333 x114

Transformations, Inc.
R. Carter Scott, President
Townsend, MA 01469
978-597-0542

Metric Construction Corporation
Geoffrey Caraboolad, President
Boston, MA 02135
617-787-1158