Arlington turned down a Red Line extension in the late 1970s. Now the town is looking at it again, about 50 years later.
Officials point to traffic as the reason. Arlington has already repealed local rules that were in the way, including an old one that kept transit facilities 75 yards from certain institutional property. And there’s $50,000 in the upcoming budget for a feasibility study.
Let’s keep this in perspective. It’s a study, not a project. Nothing’s been approved. But if you’re buying or selling in Arlington and you’re thinking more than a few years out, it’s worth paying attention. Rapid transit tends to change land use and housing demand in Greater Boston suburbs.
You can already see the same thinking on Mass. Ave. The Redevelopment Board has spent months going back and forth on mixed-use density bonuses, mainly how much ground-floor commercial space new multifamily buildings should have to include. Different issue, same direction. Over time, expect more density and more housing options along Arlington’s commercial corridors.
If you’re buying
Please don’t buy a house today because of a train that doesn’t exist yet. I’d say the same to you in person.
Buy for how you live right now. If you plan to stay a while, treat the Red Line as a possible bonus down the road. The shorter-term piece is Mass. Ave. More housing options along the corridors could mean more choices for you, maybe in spots you wouldn’t have looked at before.
If you’re selling
Don’t price your home like the train is already running. Buyers won’t pay for it yet.
What you can do is be ready for the conversation, because some buyers will ask where this is headed. If you’re not in a rush, it’s also a reason to think about timing. And if you’re near one of those commercial corridors, let’s talk through what the density discussion could mean before you list.
Ready to talk?
Nouné Karapetian, REALTOR®, Compass — 617.256.7097
Allen Babroudi, REALTOR®, Compass — 617.388.9601
📧 [email protected] | 🌐 nounek.com
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