Transforming Contaminated Sites into Thriving Destinations
Dickinson Development — Brownfields Redevelopment. Experts Since 1980.
Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts, Dickinson Development Corp is a full-service commercial real estate developer with a proven track record of turning complex, environmentally challenged properties into high-performing retail, mixed-use, and community assets.
Recognized as Brownfields Redevelopment Experts, we have successfully redeveloped major contaminated sites across New England. Our team has invested millions in environmental remediation and construction while creating hundreds of construction jobs and thousands of permanent positions.
We specialize in navigating geotechnical challenges, regulatory approvals, landfill capping, gas management systems, and public-private partnerships to deliver projects on time and on budget.
Our signature approach combines creative engineering, strong tenant partnerships, and community-focused design to deliver lasting economic and environmental benefits.
Featured Contaminated Site Redevelopments
The Crossing at Walkers Brook Walkers Brook Drive, Reading, Massachusetts
Former Use
Former 33.5-acre municipal landfill (closed 1985)
Description
One of the largest and most complex landfill closure and redevelopment projects in New England history. Dickinson Development purchased the site from the Town of Reading in 2000 for $3 million and assumed full responsibility for capping and remediation to meet strict MassDEP requirements.
Key Features
- Unique landfill cap design with enclosed flare system for gas collection and destruction
- Mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining walls up to 35 feet high
- 1,300 foundation piles and specialized gas-protection systems built directly over solid waste
- Vertical, multilevel retail design to maximize usable space on challenging topography
Project Highlights
475,000 sq ft retail center completed in 2005 at a cost of $100 million. Anchored by Home Depot (ground level) and Jordan’s Furniture with 450-seat IMAX theater (upper levels). Phase II added Bank of America, Chili’s, Staples, Paper Store, Starbucks and more — 100% leased on opening day. The center now welcomes Trader Joe’s in place of Staples, elevating its overall value and drawing new energy to the property.
Community & Economic Impact
- ~$750,000 annual property tax revenue for Reading
- Hundreds of construction and permanent retail jobs
- Saved the Town millions in closure costs and potential sanctions
Riverside Landing Coggeshall Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts
Former Use
Former Fairhaven Mills industrial complex (rundown 1,000,000+ sq ft mill buildings on 14 acres)
Description
Dickinson Development partnered with D.W. White Construction to revitalize this underutilized and unattractive waterfront industrial site along the Acushnet River. The project transformed a blighted mill district into a modern mixed-use retail and community destination while incorporating riverfront public access and infrastructure upgrades.
Key Features
- 105,000 sq ft DeMoulas Market Basket supermarket as Phase I anchor
- 4-acre commercial out-parcel visible from I-195
- Additional planned 40,000 sq ft mixed-use office/retail building in future phases with new river walk and public park.
- Major street and I-195 ramp reconstructions for improved traffic flow and pedestrian safety
Project Highlights
$35 million Phase I completed with grand opening of Market Basket in 2010. Full development created hundreds permanent jobs and approximately $500,000 in annual tax revenue for the City of New Bedford.
Community & Economic Impact
- Catalyst for the Hicks-Logan-Sawyer District revitalization
- Enhanced public riverfront access
- Hundreds of construction jobs
- New pedestrian-friendly streets and infrastructure funded in part by state grants
Stop & Shop Supermarket 25 Walkers Brook Drive, Reading, Massachusetts
Former Use
Former industrial site — long-time home of the Boston Stove Co. manufacturing facility, followed by multiple warehousing tenants (contaminated brownfield/industrial property adjacent to the larger Crossing at Walkers Brook redevelopment area)
Description
Dickinson Development completed this 65,000 sq ft Stop & Shop supermarket in September 2007 as its third retail project in Reading within four years. Located on a five-acre parcel directly across from the main Crossing at Walkers Brook lifestyle center, the site was a former industrial property with a history of manufacturing and warehousing use. Dickinson handled necessary environmental due diligence, remediation, and geotechnical improvements to transform this underutilized, contaminated brownfield into a modern grocer.
Key Features
- Standalone supermarket developed on a remediated former industrial brownfield site
- Specialized site preparation, including environmental cleanup and foundation work to address prior industrial user site
- Modern grocery facility enhancing the area’s mixed retail offerings
- Infrastructure upgrades for parking, traffic flow, and long-term site stability
Community & Economic Impact
- Generated hundreds of construction jobs during site remediation and building
- Created permanent grocery and retail jobs for the local workforce
- Delivers ongoing real estate tax revenue to the Town of Reading
- Boosts state income tax benefits through employment and economic activity
- Provides convenient, high-quality grocery access in a formerly underutilized industrial zone
- Further demonstrates Dickinson Development’s ability to convert contaminated industrial sites into community assets along the Route 128/I-95 corridor
Other Notable Projects on Contaminated Sites:
- Shaw’s Plaza, Stoughton, MA
- Shaw’s Plaza, Wollaston, Quincy, MA
- Braintree Executive Office Park
- Burlington Northern Air Freight Terminal, East Boston, MA
- Kellaway Intermodal & Distribution Systems, Randolph, MA
Why Choose Dickinson Development for Contaminated Sites?
From former landfills and industrial mills to complex brownfields, our team has the experience, engineering partnerships, and regulatory know-how to turn environmental liabilities into economic assets.
We deliver transparent public-private partnerships, creative vertical design solutions, and long-term community value — on time and on budget.