One of the proposals is from a joint venture of Taurus New England and Gravestar, which owns the 145-acre Assembly Square Mall as well a number of smaller properties at the site. Two of the parcels are adjacent to Yard 21 and the companies plan to build a 27-acre mixed-use project on three lots. The plan includes office, residential, retail and entertainment space and a various public spaces. The venture would also fund the design for an MBTA stop here and partly fund the building of the station. Developers emphasized that there would be no big-box retail stores, the specter of which has faced fierce local opposition in this area.

The other proposal is also from a joint venture, this one made up of Habitat for Learning and Cathartes Investments. It includes one million sf of office and research-and-development space, a performing arts center and small retail shops. The plan also calls for a T stop and housing for college students.