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As part of an agreement with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), MIT is working on a redevelopment project for the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, a Kendall Square site in close proximity to the MIT campus. In addition to constructing a new federal building, MIT plans to create a dynamic mixed-use center on the site, building on the Cambridge community’s extensive planning and visioning efforts to increase housing, open space, and retail activity, along with commercial, laboratory, and innovation space.
This project began with a lengthy bidding process, after which the GSA selected MIT as its partner to construct the new federal building. After completing utility-enabling work on the Volpe parcel in 2019, MIT commenced work on behalf of the federal government to begin the new facility for the Volpe Transportation Center. Recent progress includes completion of the base building, and work is progressing on schedule with interior construction and exterior landscape improvements. The federal building project is expected to be completed in 2023.
After a robust community engagement process, the Cambridge City Planning Board approved MIT’s plan for the remaining 10 acres of the Volpe site in the summer of 2021. Following the completion and acceptance of the federal building, MIT will take possession of these 10 acres and will commence development. Consistent with the zoning passed by the City Council in 2017, the proposed development includes nearly 3 million square feet of space, including 95,000 square feet of retail, four commercial buildings (for commercial office/laboratory space), four residential buildings (with approximately 1,400 new housing units), more than 3.5 acres of publicly beneficial open space, and a 25,000-square-foot community center. The proposed publicly-accessible open space includes a large park at the corner of Third Street and Broadway, a linear park adjacent to Sixth Street/Loughrey Way, a park adjacent to the community center, and a pocket park on Binney Street.
MIT commenced the design phase for below-grade infrastructure, individual buildings, and open spaces in 2022. Design review for the initial buildings is expected to take place in 2023.
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Project Team
Construction manager: Turner Construction, Boston, MA
MIT Team: Steve Marsh, Michael Owu (MITIMCo)
News+Video
In the News
- Volpe redevelopment project launches next phase; MIT submits special permit application to the City of Cambridge; MIT News, February 4, 2021
- First step on Volpe parcel planned for 2019; Building and landscape designs for new federal building are now complete; MIT News, February 5, 2019
- Cambridge City Council approves MIT’s Volpe zoning petition; The 14-acre underutilized parcel in Kendall Square is set to be reimagined as a vibrant community; MIT News, October 23, 2017
- MIT files rezoning petition for Volpe site; Submittal of mixed-use proposal launches public hearing process; MIT News, June 21, 2017
- MIT signs agreement to redevelop Volpe Center; Institute will build new federal building, mixed-use development on the 14-acre parcel in Kendall Square; MIT News, January 18, 2017
- 3Q: MIT’s investment in the Volpe Center property; Executive Vice President and Treasurer Israel Ruiz describes the transaction and its benefits for MIT and Cambridge; MIT News, January 18, 2017
- Federal government announces next step in Volpe Center redevelopment process; Federally owned property is centrally located in Kendall Square; MIT News, November 15, 2016
- 3Q: Israel Ruiz on MIT’s role in shaping the future of the Volpe Center; Tuesday’s announcement names MIT as an initial partner in redeveloping federal property in Kendall Square; MIT News, November 18, 2016