According to several media outlets, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts reached a deal at the end of September with CSX Transportation that would, among other things, clear the way for a new MBTA Commuter Rail stop in Allston.  According to reports, the deal transferred control of some CSX rail lines to the MBTA.  The new Allston stop, although probably still several years away, would most likely be located on either Everett or Cambridge Streets.  From our understanding of the plans, this would go a long way to help connect the area commonly referred to as Lower Allston with Downtown Boston.

 

The most common feedback we hear from renters regarding Lower Allston is that they would be more interested in the neighborhood if it had better access to public transportation.  Currently the area is served by several bus routes with service to Cambridge and Watertown, but generally would require at least one transfer to get to Downtown Boston.  The addition of a convenient Commuter Rail stop would probably put the area on the radar of a lot more potential tenants who have, until now, avoided it. Between the addition of a Commuter Rail and the (seemingly forever stalled) Harvard expansion plans, I think it’s likely that we will see some significant changes in that area over the coming years.