Developers say a square with restaurants and shops will help make NorthPoint a community, not just a collection of buildings.

Completing the NorthPoint project, which stalled about five years ago, will probably take another decade, the developers say.

The first step when construction resumes on 45 acres of former railyards will be building a 19-floor residential and retail tower.

The project has the rare potential to create a new mini-city within the densely packed Boston metropolitan area.

HYM Investment Group is leading a development team that includes former Lakers superstar “Magic” Johnson (left).

The HYM team acquired development rights in August 2010, following a lawsuit that had stalled the development.

In all, the project will include 2,900 residences, 2 million square feet of laboratory and office buildings, and 200,000 square feet of retail space.

The project will also include several public parks.