In the 1950s, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts took claim of the southernmost 13 acres of the 498-acre Franklin Park and built the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital. The Shattuck is a 260-bed, state-operated hospital that provides medical and psychiatric treatment to diverse patient populations requiring multi-disciplinary care and support. The site is deed restricted for public health uses.

The Shattuck would require extensive renovations to remain in operation. Instead, the Commonwealth made the decision to relocate its existing medical and psychiatric services to the South End, and issue a Request for Proposals for the site’s redevelopment for public health purposes.

A vision was forged over more than a year by a people with diverse points of view: Franklin Park advocates, representatives of neighborhood associations, housing advocates, individuals who have experienced homelessness, people in recovery, and city and state officials.

In August 2022, our coalition submitted its proposal. In June 2023, we received provisional designation from the Commonwealth.

The community process continues. In 2023 and 2024, the partnership will organize many public sessions and meet with multiple organizations in order to hear the voices of community members, people in recovery, people who have experienced homelessness, and people who care about Franklin Park.