Union Point Development Gains Unexpected Commercial Interest
Weymouth Secures $2.6 Million Grant for Infrastructure Design as Project Moves Forward
WEYMOUTH - December 16 - Union Point, the long-awaited redevelopment of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station, is gaining momentum with unexpected commercial interest and a significant state grant for infrastructure design.
John Twohig of New England Development reported surprising interest from commercial entities during a Weymouth Town Council meeting Dec. 16. "We've got 600,000 square feet of commercial interest, which is not nothing," Twohig said, noting potential large format retail, grocer, and fitness resort facility developments.
This commercial interest marks a shift from previous expectations that the project would be primarily residential. Twohig expressed excitement about the level of interest, attributing it to the site's unique position on the South Shore.
"For the South Shore to have large-scale lots available, there just aren't a lot of them around," Twohig explained. "So we're very excited about that. And that's something we didn't expect."
The project also received a boost from the state, with Weymouth securing a $2.6 million MassWorks grant for design work and engineering related to water, sewer, and transportation improvements at Union Point.
Ted Langill, Weymouth's Chief of Staff, detailed the grant allocation: "$1.2 million for our efforts on the MWRA application and extension, a half a million dollars for leak detection and study and implementation, again to try to address our unaccounted for water."
The grant is the first of four years of anticipated funding for the project, with total design costs estimated at $35 million over four years.
Mayor Bob Hedlund emphasized the state's engagement with the project, noting recent meetings with the Lieutenant Governor and her staff. "The level of detail and knowledge they have of the project was significant," Hedlund said. "They asked all the right questions and they seem to be making significant effort on our behalf to get this MWRA issue finalized."
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) connection remains a crucial component of the project. Ryan Allgrove of Environmental Partners outlined the timeline for MWRA approval, projecting completion of the environmental impact report process by the end of 2026.
"Our goal is the end of 2026 to be through that and then you're in front of the MWRA getting their approval," Allgrove said. He estimated construction could begin around 2030.
Twohig indicated that horizontal construction, including roadways and utilities, could start as early as the end of 2025, with the first buildings potentially breaking ground in late 2025 or early 2026.
The development team is working to address water and sewer capacity concerns. A new interim water agreement provides for 450,000 gallons per day of water supply and 405,000 gallons per day of sewer capacity, with incremental increases tied to infrastructure improvements.
Councilor Rick Coughlin expressed enthusiasm about the commercial interest: "I'm thrilled to hear about this commercial. I mean, I'm surprised as well that everything I've thought about and everything I've heard over the past several years has been, we need that critical mass that's going to be at that development before we can really address or get commercial coming in."
Twohig summed up the current state of the project: "This base is as close to getting started again and to realize its potential as it has been in a long time."