Devens gets green light to further development
The state legislature in Massachusetts has lifted the cap on commercial projects for the future in the army base at Devens.
The original legislation from 1994 that established the industrial park set a limit on the amount of development to 8.5 million square feet. The legislature has now approved language from the administration of Governor Charlie Baker that will raise the cap by 12 million net new square feet. This is in addition to what already exists in the industrial park, meaning a total of 20 million square feet will be allowed.
Senator Jamie Eldridge, who pushed for the updating of the cap, represents the three Devens towns. He stressed that it was critical this legislation got passed before the end of the year, adding that this will send a message to those interested in investing in the former army base that Devens is still a place for significant economic development. Such announcements can be disseminated throughout an area with flyer printing.
Director of the Devens Enterprise Commission, Peter Lowitt, said that any new construction at Devens will need to meet some infrastructure and environmental regulations. He said the commission is working on the requirement for there to be vegetation on the roofs of buildings, and parking lots designed to allow storm water to flow through the soil underneath them.
The original legislation from 1994 that established the industrial park set a limit on the amount of development to 8.5 million square feet. The legislature has now approved language from the administration of Governor Charlie Baker that will raise the cap by 12 million net new square feet. This is in addition to what already exists in the industrial park, meaning a total of 20 million square feet will be allowed.
Senator Jamie Eldridge, who pushed for the updating of the cap, represents the three Devens towns. He stressed that it was critical this legislation got passed before the end of the year, adding that this will send a message to those interested in investing in the former army base that Devens is still a place for significant economic development. Such announcements can be disseminated throughout an area with flyer printing.
Director of the Devens Enterprise Commission, Peter Lowitt, said that any new construction at Devens will need to meet some infrastructure and environmental regulations. He said the commission is working on the requirement for there to be vegetation on the roofs of buildings, and parking lots designed to allow storm water to flow through the soil underneath them.