Construction to start this fall, opening planned for 2014
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The first new MBTA rapid transit station since 1987 is slated to start construction later this fall thanks to a $29,229,184 contract awarded today by the MassDOT Board of Directors. S&R Construction Co., Inc. of Lowell, Mass. will build the new station, which is slated to open in 2014.

The station will rest on the Orange Line between the Sullivan Square and Wellington stops. The project itself provides necessary public infrastructure for the redevelopment of Assembly Square. Federal Realty Investment Trust intends to build 1.75 million square feet of commercial space, 600,000 square feet of retail and 2,100 new housing units adjacent to the new station. New parkland, a hotel and an entertainment complex are also part of the plans. In addition, IKEA has a special permit to build a new store right next to the new station.

“The transformation of Assembly Square is well under way,” said Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “This new Orange Line station is the critical piece of infrastructure that unlocks the entire district. There is no longer any question over whether Assembly Square will be redeveloped. The work is taking place right now. What had been a relic of our industrial past is going to become a shimmering new gateway to our city.”

Curtatone also pointed out that the Orange Line station is only the first of many new T stations that will be opening in Somerville in the coming years. Six new stations in Somerville are part of the Green Line extension design.

“Not that long ago, many argued that a new station in Assembly Square was a pipe dream, yet here we are with the construction about to start,” he said. “The people of Somerville fought for this station. We made the case that this was the right thing to do for our community and that it was smart business infrastructure investment for the state. The same thing will happen with the Green Line. The transit-oriented development opportunities in Somerville represent billions of dollars in private investment, tens of thousands of construction jobs and tens of thousands of permanent jobs. As we get these projects moving forward, we get the entire state moving forward.”

Federal Realty, along with its residential development partner Avalon Bay, has presented plans for its first two residential blocks and first commercial block in Assembly Square. The residential blocks come up before Somerville’s Planning Board for special permits tomorrow night. The commercial block comes before the Planning Board for a special permit on Oct. 20^th.

“We are pleased that the MBTA has announced a contractor for the Orange Line T station in Somerville,” said Don Briggs, president of Federal Realty Investment Trust –Boston. “The station is an integral piece of the vibrant new riverfront neighborhood we are creating at Assembly Row, complete with parks and open space, commercial office space, restaurants, entertainment and unique retail. We look forward to S&R Construction Company, Inc. breaking ground.”

The City estimates that, once Federal Realty reaches full build out, it will result in $17 million a year in new tax revenues to the city.

The long-term ridership forecast for the station is that, by 2030, it will generate 5,000 boardings on the average weekday.