WRA files eminent domain taking with registry of deeds

Photo | Grant Welker The city will move forward with an eminent domain process to acquire properties needed for the ballpark, including this site, home to Paul's Mobile Auto Glass.

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By Zachary Comeau

The Worcester Redevelopment Authority’s order of taking of three properties needed for the $101 million Polar Park has officially been filed at the Worcester County Registry of Deeds.

The filing, recorded Friday, calls for the city’s taking of three properties — 134 Madison St., 127 Washington St. and 50 Washington St. — for a combined $1.37 million.

The WRA on April 12 voted to begin the process of taking those properties via eminent domain. At least four other Canal District parcels need to be acquired for the new home of the Pawtucket Red Sox.

Construction is hoped to begin this summer so the team can begin play in Worcester starting in 2021.

Developer Madison Properties has already acquired the largely vacant Wyman-Gordon property for $6.1 million for the ballpark and a mixed-use development the city hopes will help pay off the project via a special tax assessment covering that part of the neighborhood.

Worcester Chief Development Officer Michael Traynor said earlier this month that neither the owner of Paul’s Mobile Auto Glass at 127 Washington St. or CBD retailer Sublime Co. at 134 Madison St. accepted the city’s offers of $310,000 and $265,000, respectively.

The $800,000 slated for 50 Washington St., a small warehouse home to AMC Demolition and an ambulance service facility, is an agreed-upon price, Traynor said.