Mary Ellen McCormack
What's in the Works
The redevelopment of the Mary Ellen McCormack public housing community in South Boston will ultimately provide 1,016 new homes for current residents while adding additional residential units to create a true mixed-income, mixed-use community.
The project will include a 100% affordable senior building. When complete, the development will also feature middle-income (workforce) and market-rate housing, small business retail, a central public square, a community building, and resident programs including job training, educational services, and senior activities.
Our goal: make Mary Ellen McCormack a 21st century neighborhood where residents are the highest priority — not just through modern homes and open spaces, but through programs designed to create a better quality of life and the chance to pursue brighter futures for themselves and their families.
What's There Now
New England's first public housing project is badly in need of redevelopment. Located ideally between the Andrew and JFK stops on the MBTA Red Line, the Mary Ellen McCormack property is currently home to 1,016 subsidized apartments in 22 buildings and 152 row houses. All are nearly 80 years old and well past their useful life. Bedroom sizes are sub-standard. Basic amenities are antiquated, and there are few services for residents. The 30-acre property could benefit from more neighborhood retail options, community space and open space.
What's Happening Next
After several years of successful community engagement, WinnCompanies, the BHA, and Mary Ellen McCormack Task Force successfully permitted Phase 1 of 2, for the redevelopment of Mary Ellen McCormack. With approvals and funding in place, Winn will begin construction on the first project in Phase 1, Building A, in the winter of 2025.
Building A contains 94 deeply affordable replacement units for existing Mary Ellen McCormack. Building amenities include a community room, fitness center, bike storage, media room, kid's playroom, and work from home space. There are one-, two-, three- and four bedroom units for families. Building A is expected to be completed in the Fall of 2026. A new Veterans Park will also be constructed with Building A, and will include a tot lot playground and splash pad.
Upon completion of Building A, work will commence in early 2027 on Buildings B1/B2 and C1/C2, containing 492 units, 236 of which will be deeply affordable for Mary Ellen McCormack residents. Building C1 will be a senior building. There will also be public benefits including neighborhood retail, community center space, and more.
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Location
Information & Plans
MEM Letter of Intent
MEM Letter of Assurance
BPDA Project Notification Form
Greater Boston Project Connect
Carta de Aseguramiento - Spanish Letter of Assurance
保证书 - Chinese Letter of Assurance
Mary Ellen McCormack - Final Environmental Impact Report
Mary Ellen McCormack - BPDA Supplemental Information Documents
MEM Phase 1 Draft Planned Development Area
MEM Phase 1 PDA Language Access Plan Fact Sheet