Site History

The land is the former site of the Forbes Lithograph Manufacturing Company at the confluence of Chelsea Creek and Mill Creek.

In 1884, Forbes Lithograph Manufacturing Co., one of the largest lithograph companies in the United States, relocated from Boston to Chelsea. Spreading out over 18 buildings, the company produced posters, tickets, postcards, even French bank notes during World War II. The plant closed when the company was sold in the 1960s.

Since then, the property has been effectively abandoned and fenced off from the public, leaving behind a contaminated environment and blocking access to the waterfront. Over the years, various owners have tried and failed to develop the site. Meanwhile, the buildings continued to fall into disrepair, posing an environment and health hazard for the community of Chelsea. In November 2024, one of the vacant warehouses on the property caught fire in the middle of the night, resulting in disruptions to the MBTA as well as air pollution.

In late 2024, the property was placed in receivership at the request of the City of Chelsea, a legal step that opened a window of opportunity for the partnership to actively pursue the acquisition of the property. Our collective efforts to transform the property received a huge boost when the judge overseeing the receivership approved Mass Audubon’s offer to purchase the property.

In March 2026, Mass Audubon officially took ownership. We are now working together with GreenRoots, The Neighborhood Developers, and the City of Chelsea to create the future of the property as an urban greenspace, affordable housing, and center of community programming and engagement.