New Worcester chamber chairman envisions 18-hour downtown

Photo | Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Robert Cox is the new Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce chairman.

Write a Comment

The incoming chairman of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce wants to capitalize on the planned downtown development projects, in order to create an 18-hour district with businesses, residents and entertainment options.

Robert Cox, managing partner of Worcester law firm Bowditch & Dewey, will lead the chamber’s board of directors for the next two years. He took over the leadership position from Kate Sharry, the head of Northeast regional operations for Illinois insurance firm Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., who was the third woman ever to lead the chamber board.

In an interview with Worcester Business Journal, Cox laid out his vision for the chamber during his tenure, where he will seek to work with economic development officials and chamber staff – including President & CEO Timothy Murray – to capitalize on Worcester economic development projects.

“One project drives another project,” Cox said. “I see the momentum continuing on, as long as the economy remains good.”

Cox mentioned proposed projects like the $101-million municipal baseball stadium for the Worcester Red Sox, the four planned mixed-use projects along Main Street from Washington D.C. developer Menkiti Group, and the $54-million redevelopment of the former Worcester County Courthouse into apartments.

“We are getting there, and we have more to do to make it a walkable downtown,” Cox said.

In addition to more housing, Cox said, creating a district with a variety of entertainment options will be important to creating a well-rounded neighborhood. Downtown already has several amenities offering entertainment, he said, including the Hanover Theatre, the ArtsWorcester gallery in the Printers Building, and the expansion of the Palladium to include an outdoor stage.

“It was neat to see so many people downtown on a weekend,” Cox said of the Palladium’s outdoor performances this summer.

Cox said his new role as chamber chairman dovetails well with his full-time job at Bowditch, which also is seeking to revitalize Worcester by encouraging community, business and education projects.

“It is a lot to do, but the interests overlap,” Cox said.