Wood Partners Wins Somerville Site Bidding, Increases Plan To 418 Units
An Atlanta-based developer is the last bidder standing to redevelop a 4-acre city-owned site in east Somerville, and it has altered its project plans.
Wood Partners is the winning bidder for the redevelopment of 90 Washington St., a vacant lot near Union Square and East Somerville Green Line station, according to Somerville officials.
Last week, North River Leerink Manager LLC, the only other bidder for the parcel, withdrew its application, which included 600 apartments across four buildings ranging in size up to 14 stories.
Then on Monday, the Somerville Redevelopment Authority selected Wood Partners as the final designated developer for the site, Cambridge Somerville Independent first reported. The final agreement is subject to approval by the Somerville City Council and SRA.
The developer has filed an updated proposal that includes 418 apartment units and a 244-space underground parking garage.
Wood Partners' first proposal included a seven-story building totaling 324 units and a 398-space above-ground garage, which local advocates denounced due to the location's proximity to public transportation and bike lanes.
In 2019, the site was taken by the SRA through eminent domain after the former owner, Cobble Hill Center LLC, never advanced its 2013 plans to redevelop the site.
The city had planned to redevelop the parcel into a municipal public safety complex, but that project was delayed due to legal hurdles.
Cobble Hill successfully sued the city in 2024 for underpaying in the acquisition. By picking a company to redevelop the site, the city hopes to spur revenue that can help pay off the $39M it owed the former owner.
The land sale is expected to take place by the end of 2027. Wood Partners plans to complete the project in 2030.
Wood Partners has been active in the Greater Boston region. The developer built the 218-unit Alta Oxbow in Wayland, which BlackRock acquired in 2024, and Alta on the Row in Worcester, which Morgan Stanley acquired in 2025.
