Worcester council approves courthouse sale
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A New Hampshire developer plans to redevelop the former Worcester County Courthouse into apartments and retail space.
The Worcester City Council voted Tuesday night to approve the sale of the former Worcester County Courthouse building for $1.2 million to a New Hampshire developer.
The unanimous decision came with labor stipulations for the developer, Brady Sullivan Properties LLC.
The deal will require that half of the renovation work on the Lincoln Square landmark be performed by contractors and subcontractors from within a 30-mile radius or by companies with approved apprenticeship programs.
The Worcester Community-Labor Coalition (WCLC) had asked that at least half of the construction jobs for the project be local hires. The council, which was originally scheduled to vote on the deal two weeks ago, had delayed action amid opposition by the labor group.
Brady Sullivan wants to convert the property into 115 market-rate apartments and 3,000 square feet of retail space. The site has sat vacant since 2007 and was sold to the city by the state in 2013 for $1, along with $3 million to clean up environmental hazards. The city and the state will split the sale price.
Leading up to the sale this week, Mayor Joseph Petty and Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce President Timothy Murray had voiced their support for the deal, saying it would help bolster the downtown with an additional 200 to 250 residents and add $150,000 annually in property taxes. The chamber sent an email to members before Tuesday's vote, urging their support for council approval.
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