Key facts
- Massachusetts is seeking a developer to redevelop state-owned buildings in Boston's Government Center into housing.
- The project involves the Erich Lindemann Mental Health Center and the Charles F. Hurley Building.
- Governor Maura Healey's administration is prioritizing housing development on underutilized state property.
- Historic preservation and adaptive reuse are key considerations in the selection process.
- The project must comply with the city's affordability requirements.
- Existing mental health services at the Lindemann Center will be maintained.
Massachusetts is actively seeking a private developer to transform two state-owned buildings in Boston's Government Center into much-needed housing. Governor Maura Healey's administration has released an offering memorandum for the redevelopment of the Erich Lindemann Mental Health Center and the Charles F. Hurley Building, signaling a significant push to utilize state property for residential purposes.
The initiative is part of the state's broader goal to increase housing availability. The Healey-Driscoll administration views the 6.5-acre site as a prime opportunity for housing development, aiming to create new homes while preserving historical aspects of the area and ensuring the continuity of critical mental health services.
The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance will manage a multistep solicitation process, with a call for developer proposals expected this summer. Key considerations for selecting a developer will include their commitment to historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and adherence to the city's affordability requirements, such as the Inclusionary Development Policy.
The Charles F. Hurley Building, constructed in the 1960s, has been fully vacated. However, the Lindemann building, also from the same era, is still occupied by state departments, including the Department of Mental Health. The state has committed to maintaining the 115 existing beds for vulnerable populations, either on-site or in a nearby location.
This is not the first attempt to redevelop the site. In 2022, then-Governor Charlie Baker had selected Leggat McCall Properties for a $1 billion mixed-use project that included housing and lab development. However, Governor Healey canceled this plan in 2024 following shifts in the life sciences market.
The Government Center properties are included in the administration's State Land For Homes inventory, a portfolio of state-owned sites designated for residential redevelopment. This initiative aims to create substantial housing across various income levels. Governor Healey has previously stated plans to make 17 state-owned sites available for redevelopment, with an estimated capacity for 3,500 new housing units.