Worcester targets 118 acres for urban renewal; possible taking from landowners

The Urban Renewal Area is pictured with Route 290 running along the bottom edge of the map.

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By Sam Bonacci

The downtown revitalization plan designed to guide the Worcester’s development efforts over the next 20 years has been released by the Worcester Redevelopment Authority, covering over 118 acres of land including some that can be taken from owners by eminent domain.

The objective of the plan is to create a strong sense of identity for the city, according to a release from the WRA, with a strong downtown benefiting the city’s economy. The area covered by the plan includes 118 parcels and 380 properties covering approximately 67 businesses and 214 condominium units over a 118.4-acre area. The potential total cost of the plan, including the cost of all public infrastructure upgrades, in-kind services, potential acquisitions, demolitions, and relocation of businesses, is $104 million.

This urban renewal plan will allow for the targeted redevelopment of properties if it is approved by the state. The goal is to leverage city and private funds together to improve the area and the properties within it, according to chief development officer Michael Traynor. There are certain properties, such as the Wyman Gordan site, that “need the push” to get them redeveloped, according to Traynor.

The plan specifically identifies 24 properties that have seen a lack of investment. These properties include brownfields such as the Wyman Gordan property, upper floors of downtown buildings that have been vacant for over 20 years and those that need substantial infrastructure upgrades that the property owners cannot afford.

The city plans to work with these properties in a number of ways, including assisting with rehabilitating buildings, improving public infrastructure and demolishing substandard buildings to allow for new construction. All of this will be done by working with land owners when possible, according to the organization, but could include taking properties by the WRA through eminent domain. The city does not plan to acquire and resell properties itself, according to Traynor.

The WRA will host a public hearing on the plan at 5:30 p.m. May 5, at the DCU Center. After the hearing, the plan will need approval from the Worcester City Council and the state Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.