Transit-oriented village at Grafton State Hospital attracts ‘a lot of interest’

More than 300 firms and companies have requested information about a former Grafton State Hospital property, which the town is hoping to develop into a transit-oriented village.

Town Administrator Tim McInerney told the Select Board last week that the first walk-throughs of the 8.8 acre property were beginning at the site.

“There is going to be a lot of interest, a lot of request for RFPs,” McInerney said.

The town recently acquired the property at 8 Pine St. under a sales partnership agreement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It hopes to develop a transit-oriented village that aligns with the North Grafton Transit Village Master Plan. The town adopted 40R zoning that requires a mixed-use development with a minimum of 20 units and up to 200 units of multi-family housing per acre.

“It’s a big chunk for us in terms of affordability,” McInerney said.

The property is fenced off from the public to prevent vandalism to the abandoned hospital buildings on the property. The town had sought firms with experience in historical preservation

The redevelopment of the Grafton State Hospital site “is a unique opportunity to create a transit village centered around the Grafton MBTA train station with opportunities for office, retail, restaurants, and high-density housing,” according to a press release from Town Administrator Tim McInerney’s office.

There will be a three-month bidding process, with a decision finalized in March.