Worcester Planning Board approves projects for Oriol Drive and Franklin St., including Quality Inn conversion
Image | Worcester Planning Board - Rendering by The Architectural Team, Inc.
Rendering of an approved development at 3 Oriol Drive in Worcester
The Worcester Planning Board approved three large-scale projects on Wednesday night to provide a total of 521 units of housing.
The board approved, with conditions, a 67-unit building at 3 Oriol Drive, which is in addition to another project at the address offering 220-units previously approved by the board.
The building will be built on a six-acre plot of land carved out of the larger lot at 3 Oriol Drive. The new project, proposed by Bluestone Residential, Inc. of Newton, will offer four studio apartments, 38 one-bedroom units, and 25 two-bedroom units, with 134 parking spaces.
Bluestone Residential developed the Torrey Factory Lofts, the North Village Lofts, and the Norwich Lofts, all in Worcester, and is developing Jefferson Mills in Holden.
In a separate project also on Oriol Drive, the board approved a conversion of a Quality Inn and Suites at 50 Oriol Drive into 90 units of supportive housing for people in need. The project is spearheaded by Worcester Community Housing Resources.
In a heated public comment session, people voiced concerns about safety and quality of life in the neighborhood. District 2 City Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson said not enough people and businesses were consulted in the planning stage of the project.
Planning Board Vice Chair Edward Moynihan said the definitive site plan fits within the ordinances of the City of Worcester and state laws. He then addressed the people making comments.
“We have to rethink as a society what we do with the homeless situation, what we do with substance abuse, what we do with mental illness. It’s up to all of us,” said Moynihan. “This is an issue that needs to be spoken to and that we need to address; and if we say no to this, if you say no to this, it’s not going away.”
Separately, The board approved the 364-unit project on Franklin Street, proposed by Worcester’s GoVenture Capital Group. That group was originally planned to have 415 units but was reduced because of rising construction costs.
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