City of Worcester, MA

City of Worcester to Modify Proposed Amendment to Urban Revitalization Plan

For Immediate Release: 11/29/2018 12:59 pm

City officials announced today that they will modify a proposed amendment to the Urban Revitalization Plan filed with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office. The amendment, which identified additional parcels of land and properties for potential redevelopment and acquisition as part of the forthcoming Ballpark Project, was filed expeditiously in order to keep the project on schedule.

The process identified the parcels in the Canal District and Green Island neighborhood required to build the ballpark as well as other properties in the area to highlight their highest and best use to prompt further investment; a strategy that follows the vision and goals initially set forth in the Urban Revitalization Plan when it was adopted in 2016.

“It’s unfortunate that the MEPA filing did not allow adequate time for the the City to engage the public in this process and did not afford our residents and business owners an opportunity to review and respond to the amendment,” said City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr.

To address this concern, the City will modify the proposed amendment to the Urban Revitalization Plan as well as the MEPA filing to include only those properties that are essential to the Ballpark Project at this time. The WRA and City Council will be presented with the properties that are required to move the ballpark construction forward and some vacant land immediately adjacent to the ballpark site.

“We want to be deliberate and transparent throughout this process,” added City Manager Augustus. “We will continue to have community discussions and public input to future proposed amendments to the Urban Revitalization Plan in order to spotlight properties for development opportunities and improve the quality of life in the neighborhood.”

Properties Relative to the Ballpark Project Identified for Acquisition in the Proposed Amendment No. 1

Bafaro/Rasnick Properties:

• 90 Washington Street
• 2 Plymouth Street
• (Plus three vacant parcels for future consideration but not currently programmed: 5, 7 and 8 Gold Street. Listed for the possibility of future acquisition but no intent to do so presently.)

Serena Massey, Trustee:

• 50 Washington Street

Worcester Ambulance, LLC:

• 62 Washington Street
• 69 Washington Street

Paul J. Harrington:

• 127 Washington Street

Grady Holdings, LLC:

• 134 Madison Street