by John Osborn ·
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
MassDevelopment, the agency responsible for the redevelopment of Devens, has invited developers to submit proposals for new housing on nearly 70 acres in Devens, all of which lie within Harvard's historical town boundaries. The request marks the first major initiative since state lawmakers eliminated the community's long-standing cap on new housing last fall.
The announcement came late Monday in a press release sent to local officials and media. MassDevelopment is offering two sites: a 6.6-acre parcel at Adams Circle near Devens' commercial center and a 62.7-acre tract on Grant Road adjacent to Emerson Green, one of the community's largest residential neighborhoods. Combined, the properties could support single-family homes, townhomes, duplexes, and multifamily buildings at various price points for both rental and ownership.
"Housing is a critical competitive asset for Massachusetts and essential to sustaining a strong, growing economy," said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, who chairs MassDevelopment's board. "These sites present a real opportunity to expand housing options for the people who work in and around Devens, support employers competing for talent, and help address the region's broader housing shortage."
Publication of the requests for proposals follows passage of last November's Mass Leads Act, which removed Devens' previous 282-unit housing limit. Adams Circle and Grant Road are already zoned for residential development, allowing MassDevelopment to move forward immediately. The legislation also established a working group that in May recommended housing also be allowed in the Innovation and Technology Center zoning district, a change to current zoning that would require the approval of Harvard, Shirley, and Ayer. The ITC district includes the abandoned quadrangle of Army housing at Vicksburg Square as well as a former bachelor officers quarters.
MassDevelopment President Navjeet Bal said the agency's real estate professionals and engineers have prepared the sites for development. "With strong demand for more housing facing Devens and the entire region, we look forward to working with interested developers to turn this opportunity into reality," Bal said.
The Devens Enterprise Commission, the area's permitting agency, has already approved construction of six duplex units at Adams Circle by Reframe Systems of Andover. Meanwhile, at Emerson Green, NOW Communities, the neighborhood's developer, has been unable to complete construction of a long-awaited 46-unit apartment complex. The company's permit has been renewed twice, but to the consternation of abutting homeowners, a gaping hole in the community's center is the only sign of progress.
Complete RFP details for the Grant Road and Adams Circle parcels are available at www.massdevelopment.com/rfps-and-rfqs/.