A fourteen-acre Kendall Square plan
MIT’s filing described a redevelopment of the former Volpe Transportation Center site in Cambridge. The account envisioned eight residential and office towers, more than two acres of open space, a community center and new streets across a fourteen-acre setting.
The acquisition arrangement with the federal government, reported at $750 million, required MIT to construct a replacement federal transportation research center before proceeding with the wider development.
Housing, laboratories and small businesses
A 2017 zoning request discussed about 1,400 residential units and 1.7 million square feet of office and laboratory space. The account described a commitment to allocate 20 percent of housing to low- and moderate-income residents and one-quarter of street-level storefronts to small independent businesses.
These were reported project commitments, not current housing availability or individual eligibility rules. Future contributions tied to nonresidential development were also discussed as support for community and transit needs.
Building form and connections
The permit material described towers reaching up to 382 feet, a central green space and storefront-lined promenades along Third Street and Broadway. New connections were intended to integrate the block with the wider Kendall Square neighborhood.
The replacement federal center on Binney Street was then anticipated to open in late 2023. That historical forecast should not be used as today’s completion status for the federal center or the surrounding MIT development.
Historical account: Original Boston City Properties report