City Seeking Proposals for Austin Street Mixed-Use Development

After several years of studying the space and discussing its potential for development, the city has officially posted a request for proposals (RFP) for a mixed-use development at the Austin Street municipal lot in Newtonville. 

The RFP was issued on Thursday, Feb. 14, according to the RFP document posted on the city's website. 

The RFP document is located in the .pdf section to the right.

The 1.7-acre lot was deemed as "surplus" by the Board of Aldermen's Real Property & Reuse Committee in December 2010. It currently includes 159 parking spaces, with 121 spaces open to the general public.

After the space was deemed as surplus, the city formed a Joint Advisory Planning Group (JAPG) in March 2011 to study the potential uses for the lot. The group met for three months and eventually put together a report recommending the space be used for a combination of both housing and commercial development.

The JAPG also recommended that if a project is built, at least 85 parking spaces should remain on the site. 

, which paved the way for a potential mixed-use proposal. 

RFP proposals for the Austin Street lot are due in to the city by Thursday, April 25 at 10 a.m., according to the RFP schedule outlined on the city's website. The deadline for design and special permit applications are yet to be determined. 

Are you in favor of a mixed-use development at the Austin Street lot? What would you like to see in a development there? Tell us in the comments section below.