Committee Agenda for Economic Development Committee 09/24/2024

CITY OF WORCESTER

Economic Development Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 5:04 P.M.

Adjourned: 5:58 P.M.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty	www.worcesterma.gov	Clerk of the City Council Nikolin Vangjeli
Committee Members
Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson
Vice Chairperson Jenny Pacillo
Councilor Kathleen M Toomey

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

	Present Were:	Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson Councilor Jenny Pacillo Councilor Kathleen M Toomey, who participated in the meeting remotely

	Also:	Councilor Morris A. Bergman Councilor Etel Haxhiaj Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn Chief Financial Officer Tim McGourthy Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk

Virtual Attendee Call-In Information



1a.	Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated.If you join a Zoom meeting by dialing in with a phone number, you can raise your hand by dialing *9. Economic Development Committee Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/93387484291 Economic Development Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099 Economic Development Committee Zoom Access Code: 933 8748 4291	Attachments

Approval of the Minutes



2a.	Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Economic Development hereby approves the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting on September 5, 2024.	View Agenda

	Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Communication of the City Manager



3a.	Transmitting informational communication relative to Worcester Polytechnic Institute's purchasing of Hampton Inn & Suites at 65 Prescott St. and Courtyard Marriott at 72 Grove St. # 9.39A CM September 17, 2024	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who discussed the partnership between WPI and Worcester Business Development Corporation relative to the Gateway Park project. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speaker: 1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then read testimony submitted to the Standing Committee by WPI, as well as multiple questions she would like answered by WPI including topics such as the process the university used when acquiring 65 Prescott St. and 72 Gove St., how many LLCs are registered at the university’s address, their current and projected endowments of the university, the university’s awareness of the impact the purchases of 65 Prescott St. and 72 Grove St. may have on attracting events to the city, and the university’s plans relative to student housing. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Clerk provide the appropriate representatives from WPI with a list of questions read into the record at the September 24, 2024 Economic Development Committee meeting, which outline topics including the process the university used when acquiring 65 Prescott St. and 72 Grove St., how many LLCs are registered at the university’s address, their current and projected endowments of the university, the university’s awareness of the impact the purchases of 65 Prescott St. and 72 Grove St. may have on attracting events to the city, and the university’s plans relative to student housing for the purpose of the university answering said questions. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Pacillo, who provided an additional question for the list and discussed the percentage of the rental market in the city are students and whether the data can be broken down by schools with the Chief Development Officer. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed Mass Development’s partnership in the development of Gateway Park and the floor plan relative to WPI Grove Street dorm with the Chief Development Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a copy of any legal notices created by Mass Development relative to hearings associated with WPI’s purchase of 65 Prescott St. and 72 Grove St. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the item. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed the number of hotel rooms available in the city, the total number of hotel rooms available in the two hotels acquired by WPI, the ramifications of the hotel acquisitions, the total public investment for Gateway Park with the Chief Development Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held. Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

	Chairman's Orders
	Request City Clerk provide the appropriate representatives from WPI with a list of questions read into the record at the September 24, 2024 Economic Development Committee meeting, which outline topics including the process the university used when acquiring 65 Prescott St. and 72 Grove St., how many LLCs are registered at the university’s address, their current and projected endowments of the university, the university’s awareness of the impact the purchases of 65 Prescott St. and 72 Grove St. may have on attracting events to the city, and the university’s plans relative to student housing for the purpose of the university answering said questions.
	Request City Manager provide City Council with a copy of any legal notices created by Mass Development relative to hearings associated with WPI’s purchase of 65 Prescott St. and 72 Grove St.