DEVENS, Mass.— MassDevelopment has issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) seeking developers to build new housing on approximately 69.3 acres in Devens, a move aimed at expanding residential options and supporting economic growth in north central Massachusetts.
The RFPs cover two residentially zoned areas: about 6.6 acres at Adams Circle, a growing neighborhood within walking distance of Devens’ commercial center and local amenities, and approximately 62.7 acres along Grant Road, where development would expand one of the community’s largest residential neighborhoods.
According to MassDevelopment, proposals may include a mix of housing types such as single-family homes, townhomes, duplexes, and multifamily buildings. The agency is encouraging projects that offer a range of unit sizes and price points, including both rental and ownership options. Full details are available through the agency’s procurement portal.
“Housing is a critical competitive asset for Massachusetts and essential to sustaining a strong, growing economy,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, chair of MassDevelopment’s board of directors. “These sites present a real opportunity to expand housing options for people who work in and around Devens, support employers competing for talent, and help address the region’s broader housing shortage.”
MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal said the agency has spent years preparing the sites for development. “Adams Circle and Grant Road represent a big opportunity to bring more housing and economic growth to Devens,” Bal said. “With strong demand for housing across the region, we look forward to working with developers to turn this opportunity into reality.”
The initiative follows a significant policy change enacted under the Mass Leads Act, signed into law by Governor Maura Healey in November 2024. The legislation removed a long-standing cap that limited Devens to a maximum of 282 housing units, clearing the way for larger-scale residential development. The law also created the Devens Housing Working Group, which issued recommendations in May 2025 to further expand housing opportunities, including potential zoning changes in the Innovation and Technology Center district.
Devens is a 4,400-acre mixed-use community and a nationally recognized example of military base redevelopment. Formerly Fort Devens, the site served as the U.S. Army’s New England headquarters for nearly eight decades before closing in 1996. Since then, MassDevelopment has overseen its transformation into a mixed-use community with employment centers, housing, and municipal services.
