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City manager reports: Forbes sale, Market Basket grant, rail quiet-zone wait and Broadway housing updates
Summary
City manager communications covered a receiver at the Forbes property and potential sale to conservation and community partners, a $1 million MBTA grant to ready Market Basket for development, commuter-rail quiet-zone design delays pending MBTA drawings, and progress on two Broadway housing projects.
The city manager reported several development and infrastructure updates to the Chelsea City Council, including activity at the long-vacant Forbes property, a $1 million state grant for Market Basket redevelopment planning, a delay in the commuter-rail quiet-zone project and progress on two Broadway housing projects.
Forbes property: City staff said the Forbes site, which suffered a major fire and was placed in receivership, has been boarded and secured by the appointed receiver. The council heard that a consortium including Mass Audubon and GreenRoots has been awarded rights to build on the parcel, though that decision is under appeal. Councilors welcomed development plans that pair open space and community access with tax revenue potential.
Market Basket site and MBTA grant: The city manager reported Chelsea received a $1,000,000 grant from the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund to improve infrastructure on Second and Spruce streets to prepare the Market Basket property for development. The city has received an initial zoning-overlay draft from a developer group that would raise density to 150 units per acre and allow up to 14 stories in places; staff are still reviewing the draft and a full recommendation to the council is pending.
Commuter-rail quiet zone: The quiet-zone project is on hold until the MBTA delivers updated rail-safety drawings related to automatic train control (ATC/PTC). The MBTA anticipated delivering drawings by April 15, 2025; the city’s consultant will finalize design after receiving those plans and then submit for Federal Railroad Administration approval. Councilors said the horns have had a negative economic effect on lodging and residents’ sleep.
Broadway housing projects: The old Salvation Army building at 440 Broadway has been demolished and a new project with 29 units is slated to begin construction; 10 units are planned as affordable homeownership at 80% AMI and 19 rental units at income tiers ranging from 30% to 60% of area median income. A separate 375 Broadway project closed financing and is moving into construction phases; the city engaged a relocation coordinator to assist current residents where needed.
Other updates: The city manager described plans to bring vehicle maintenance in-house over time, budgeting two positions in the FY26 budget (mechanic supervisor and mechanic) and adding a junior mechanic in FY27 to create a recruitment pipeline. The city also announced Chelsea is a finalist for the All-America City award and will assemble a planning committee for the June competition in Denver.
Council reaction: Councilors praised the Forbes development direction, urged timely MBTA follow-up on the quiet zone and noted the need to weigh open space versus revenue for large parcels. No formal votes were taken on these communications; most were accepted and filed during the meeting.
Ending: Staff will return to council with recommended zoning changes, design packages and implementation timelines as reviews and federal/state approvals proceed.
