UMass Donahue Institute

For the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, the UMass Donahue Institute evaluated current conditions and redevelopment opportunities at a long vacant large 31 acre site near downtown Brockton. This site, along an active commuter and freight rail line running north-south through Brockton, provides a unique and rare redevelopment opportunity as Brockton continues its efforts for economic revitalization. The goal was to contribute to a strategic and realistic redevelopment plan that could result in increased property tax revenue for the City, contribute to positive development and prevent the site from becoming an obstacle to growth in the downtown area. The market assessment considered both freight rail dependent and other re-use opportunities (residential, recreational facility, solar farm, etc.) in terms of environmental conditions, transportation access, real estate market and industry opportunities, and broader economic development goals for Brockton.