As CEO of Worcester’s municipal government, Augustus has for five years used his influence to encourage development and policy to fulfill his vision of the second biggest city in New England becoming worthy of that title. His crowning achievement came in August, when he used a $101-million municipal loan to convince the Pawtucket Red Sox to move to a new stadium in the Canal District in 2021 – creating a brand and a symbol the community can rally behind to spur more development and further burnish its reputation.
Augustus and his administration don’t rest on their laurels either: looking to create a more walkable city through redeveloping Washington Square, helping developers revitalize the older buildings in Lincoln Square, and enticing the state’s newest industry by being open-handed with marijuana retailers.
Where is the Central Mass. community headed? As a Worcester native, I can honestly say we’re feeling more confident than we have in years. We’ve started construction on a new South High School and a new Doherty High School is being planned. Work has begun on an $11-million Main Street Re-Imagined project. Worcester continues to stand out as one of the safest cities in New England, thanks to the great work of the men and women of our Worcester Police and Worcester Fire Departments.
Most of them are probably red, white and blue: At the age of 13, I began collecting political campaign buttons, and my collection has grown to more than 2,000.
Check out each member of WBJ’s Power 50 Class of 2019
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