Mass Audubon, GreenRoots, and The Neighborhood Developers Plan New Climate Resilient Park with Housing in Chelsea

The Superior Court has approved an offer submitted by Mass Audubon, the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England, with the support of its partners, GreenRoots, a leading environmental justice nonprofit based in Chelsea, and The Neighborhood Developers, a local community development corporation, to purchase 18 acres of waterfront property in Chelsea.

The partnership has a shared vision to create a broadly accessible, climate-resilient park, mixed-income housing, and community amenities along the Chelsea Creek waterfront. The property was placed in receivership at the request of the City of Chelsea in late 2024—a legal step that opened a window of opportunity for the partnership to actively pursue the acquisition of the property. Although the approval of the offer by the court marks an important milestone in the effort to protect the property, much more work must be done.

The land is located on the former site of the Forbes Lithograph Manufacturing Company and is at the confluence of Chelsea and Mill Creeks. It has been effectively abandoned and fenced off from the public for almost two decades, but the partnership plans to work hand-in-hand with the Chelsea community to shape a waterfront destination that restores the natural landscape, provides much-needed green space in one of the state’s most densely populated cities, increases Chelsea’s climate resiliency in the face of rising sea levels, and delivers up to 225 units of mixed income housing.

“GreenRoots and the residents of Chelsea have been actively engaged in this critically important site for over two decades,” remarked Roseann Bongiovanni, Executive Director of GreenRoots and lifelong Chelsea resident who grew up near the site.  “As we work to create more waterfront access and green space, and achieve environmental justice, we see that this parcel offers multiple opportunities for the community that we are excited to realize. Our residents deserve to access this historically important site in a way that is welcoming and beneficial for all. While there is much work to be done, we are celebrating this monumental milestone for the community, for GreenRoots and for environmental and climate justice.”

Mass Audubon intends to spend the next few months performing site evaluations and environmental testing. The Forbes company had an extensive industrial presence from the mid-1880s through the 1960s, and while some environmental remediation has been performed, additional testing must be conducted. Existing infrastructure needs to be evaluated as well, including the access bridge over the MBTA commuter rail and an existing seawall.

Despite the challenges, the opportunity to create green space and public access to the water in Chelsea, with community members at the core of the work, is testament to the commitment and innovation of this partnership.

“Mass Audubon’s experience conserving land and protecting biodiversity, combined with the community’s input and our invaluable partners who live and work in Chelsea, means that we have the expertise and commitment to turn this dream into reality,” said David O’Neill, President & CEO of Mass Audubon. “The opportunity to create an accessible oasis of open space while also bolstering climate resilience is fully aligned with our mission, and we look forward to partnering with community members.”

This project is also an opportunity to demonstrate that land conservation and affordable housing can complement one another. Up to 225 units of affordable housing are envisioned on five acres of the property to combat rising rents and home prices that make it difficult for people to stay in the community and raise families.

“Chelsea residents need more public parks, access to the waterfront, and affordable homes. This project promises to deliver all of the above at the same time and in the same location,” stated Rafael Mares, Executive Director of The Neighborhood Developers.  “The partnership between Mass Audubon, GreenRoots, and TND intentionally combines green space and waterfront access with affordable homes to create powerful benefits that each amenity could not deliver alone.”

When the project moves forward, Chelsea will reclaim a long-overlooked waterfront parcel as a thriving community asset. A nature center, outdoor classroom, and accessible green space will offer new opportunities for learning and recreation, while restored wetlands and a living shoreline will help shield the neighborhood from rising seas, and homes will bring life to the former industrial site. More than just a revitalization, this is a return—of land, access, and possibility—to the people of Chelsea.