Thank you for The Bulletin’s continued reporting on Crane Ledge Woods and on the issues that shape our neighborhoods. At a time when accurate, community-based journalism is essential, your coverage is both needed and appreciated.

With that in mind, we want to offer clarity on a question that understandably arises often: What would the full conservation “win-win” acquisition of Crane Ledge Woods actually cost? This came up in your report on the Longfellow Area Neighborhood Association meeting in March, and it is a reasonable question for residents to ask.

Over the years, a wide range of numbers have circulated—from as low as $2 million to as high as $100 million. None of these should be taken as realistic. As Councilor Pepén noted at the meeting, the actual acquisition price would be determined by an independent appraisal, as is standard practice. Every parcel is unique, and valuation must be based on real data, not speculation.

Fortunately, we have recent, local examples to guide expectations. Community-led parkland acquisitions at 108 Walter Street (Roslindale Wetlands), 0 Dale Street (Sherrin Woods), and Sprague Pond on Lakeside Avenue averaged roughly $12 per square foot. Each of these sites, like Crane Ledge Woods, consisted of natural land with a housing proposal pending. In all cases, the City’s costs were reduced by state grants that covered 50 percent of the purchase price.

Applying those same metrics, the Crane Ledge Woods parcel would likely fall in the range of $10 million-$12 million—an amount well within Boston’s capital budget capacity, supported by its AAA bond rating and by dedicated Community Preservation Act funds.

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Just as important, any acquisition offer to Jubilee Church and its development partner must be fair, respectful, and presented as an option they may choose only if it aligns with their best interests. That is the essence of the “win-win” outcome the community has long envisioned.

Crane Ledge Woods represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for a historic, positive transformation—one that benefits the neighborhood, the city, and future generations.

José C. Massó III, on behalf of the Crane Ledge Woods Coalition (CLWC)