A developer who is proposing to build another phase of housing on 10 acres of undeveloped land at the former Boston State Hospital site in Mattapan has signed an agreement with state officials and said he intends to buy the land by June.

Anna Schuessler of 2Life Communities, one of the partners developing the Olmsted Village project, told members of the State Hospital’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC) about the agreement during the group’s Feb. 20 meeting.

“I’m excited to have a big milestone to report on the acquisition front as we were able to execute a [Land Disposition Agreement] on Jan. 31,” she said. “That was a big win, and we’re excited to forge ahead to prepare for a land acquisition in June.”

The Olmsted Village project, which will include six new buildings in three housing communities, was approved by city planners in February 2023. 2Life Communities has partnered with Lena New Boston, a community development corporation, to build out the 269-units of housing.

Sean Fontes, a lawyer representing Lena Park Lena Park CDC, called the development “good news,” but wondered why his client did not know about it until the announcement by Schuessler.

“We are surprised because an operating agreement partnership between Lena Park...has not been executed yet,” he said. “We still have a couple of matters. We were under the impression the LDA wouldn’t be signed until the operating agreement was signed.”

A representative from Lena New Boston said they would look into the matter in the coming weeks. A call by The Reporter for further comment from Lena New Boston was not returned.

Steve Andrews, of the state Department of Capital Assets Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), who was very happy about the signing of the LDA, had no comment on the operations agreement.

“Where we are right now is fantastic,” he said. “To think we have added another 10 acres for housing construction and affordability – everyone should be proud.”

Lena New Boston and Lena Park have been at odds in the past at the CAC meetings. Jerry Rappaport, Jr., of Lena New Boston, and state Rep. Russell Holmes criticized Lena Park CDC last year for its frequent turnover of employees and lack of activities and programming – as well as its absence at CAC meetings.

Lena Park CDC has gone through upheaval on their board over the past few years with several chairs and executive directors resigning after short stints. Attorney Fontes and new board Chair Veronica Williams attended the February meeting.

Within the development, the Brooke House, with 127 senior affordable apartments, was awarded $12 million in state funding last month, which puts it on track to start construction next year. “That really puts us on a path to be completely funded in early 2026 when we hope to start construction also,” said Schuessler.

Meanwhile, another element of the project—Tree House — was not funded in the latest round of state grants, and so its advocates will have to re-submit and hope for funding in the next round. The Russell House, with 52 units of mixed income homeownership opportunities, received $6 million in city funding last month.

“That allows us to go after the remaining funding we need; our goal is to get that by the second quarter of 2025…and kick off construction activities in 2026,” said Schuessler.

• New member approved – Dorchester’s Carla B. Monteiro was voted in as a new member of the CAC at the February meeting. She is the first new member in many years. Monteiro lives on Harvard Street abutting the state hospital property and is a social worker and licensed drug and alcohol counselor. She also ran for City Council at-large in 2021. “Carla will be a great addition to the CAC,” said Chair Donna Young.

• Sales continue at The Preserve – Marie Morissette of Lena New Boston reported that The Preserve project, with 80 units of homeownership, is progressing with construction, completions, and sales. She said they have had four closings recently on West Main Street, and four more units are scheduled for closing. Several of the market rate units are also getting offers and responses as well.