The former Lewis Chemical site in Hyde Park is an example of the transit-oriented development opportunities that exist along the Fairmount Indigo Line. Located between the Fairmount Station and the Neponset River at the gateway to Hyde Park’s central business district, Lewis Chemical originally was the site of a leather manufacturing company from 1940 until the early 1960s. The Lewis Chemical Company operated at the property from 1963 until 1983 and was involved in the collection, transport, storage, and processing of hazardous waste. Numerous violations of Federal, State, and local laws regarding the safe handling, transport, storage, and treatment of hazardous materials were documented, along with complaints from local residents. Lewis Chemical was forced to terminate operations under a Court Order issued by the Department of Environmental Protection in 1983. The City of Boston foreclosed on the property in 2000 due to failure to pay back taxes.


Southwest Boston CDC has hosted several neighborhood meetings to discuss potential uses for the site including commercial, housing, and recreation after environmental issues can be addressed. The City of Boston also has hosted meetings associated with several rounds of environmental testing and initial remediation of site contamination that has been identified. In 2008 the City of Boston secured a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct additional environmental testing on the site. Results from the most recent round of testing were discussed at a community meeting, June 23, 2009. See our ‘In the News’ section for more information on the information City of Boston staff provided at that meeting and community response to it.

In anticipation of the property eventually being made available for redevelopment, Southwest Boston CDC has been working with Riverside Theatre Works—a local community-based theatre—to explore the possibility of providing new performing arts and education space for Riverside.

For more information about SWBCDC development activities Please e-mail Patricia Alvarez