Monson Residents Approve Planned Village District for Former MDC Property
Vote of Confidence
Plans to redevelop the long-idle former Monson Developmental Center took a big step forward recently as town residents resoundingly approved a vote to establish a planned village district (PVD) for the sprawling property.
The plan creates the zoning framework for the redevelopment of approximately 108 acres of the former state hospital campus, enabling a future that includes housing, economic development, open space, and a “renewed sense of place on a historically significant site,” said Jeff Daley, president and CEO of Westmass Area Development Corp., which has been tasked with redeveloping the property.
“It is important to Westmass, the town, and its residents that this redevelopment supports needed housing and regional economic development in a tasteful, responsible, and community-focused way.”
The district also creates pathways for light industrial, research, and commercial uses, reflecting the site’s potential as a hub for economic activity alongside its residential program, Daley noted.
The PVD establishes two subdistricts tailored to the character and potential of different parts of the campus:
• Subdistrict A, 48 acres, allows multi-family housing, office, retail, restaurants, neighborhood-serving commercial uses, and select light industrial and R&D uses at densities appropriate for a walkable village center — up to 15 dwelling units per acre.
• Subdistrict B, 60 acres, calls for a quieter, pastoral setting for single-family homes, townhomes, and cottage cluster developments, with flexibility for up to six units per acre for attached housing types.
Together, the two subdistricts create the conditions for a diverse, mixed-income community that honors the history and landscape of the former MDC campus while opening the door to significant private investment and new tax revenue for the town.
“I am grateful and excited that the town of Monson voted in favor of creating the new Village District Zone and approving the zoning change for the former Monson State Hospital property,” Daley said. “For too long, this former state-owned property sat dormant, creating an eyesore and safety concern for the entire community. With the Westmass team prepared to move forward with demolition of the buildings on site, we can now begin the next phase of predevelopment work and thoughtful planning for the property’s redevelopment.
“As I have said many times to Monson residents, Westmass is committed to developing this site with respect for the town of Monson and the fabric of the community,” he added. “It is important to Westmass, the town, and its residents that this redevelopment supports needed housing and regional economic development in a tasteful, responsible, and community-focused way.”
Demolition work is expected to cost roughly $16 million, and after this phase is done, there is considerable infrastructure work to be undertaken — everything from new roads and utilities to a new, wider bridge over Sawmill Brook, which runs through the middle of the property, to work to repair and upgrade the water tower on the campus (there is no pumping station that can supply water to the higher portions of the campus).
The goal, Daley explained, is to be done with the cleaning and demolition by 2027, with the infrastructure work to follow. Like other projects to redevelop former state properties, such as Northampton State Hospital and Belchertown State School, he expects this initiative to take time and play out over the next
10 to 20 years.
