Fiscal 2023 DIF Account

Comment

 

Development around the ballpark may be delayed. But the development would never have happened were it not for the ballpark. A catch-22.



Editor's Note:

Polar Park is a great fan experience.  To say development would never happen if not for ballpark???   

Get use to hearing this mantra more going forward as we pay millions each year out of General Fund to meet bond payments on Polar Park.    

Maybe commenter should read this post


This parcel consists of 17 acres right off Route 290 and 146. 
 
Feldco Development emerged with conceptual plans to turn the site into a $55 million mix of retail, office and residential components. Feldco wanted to model the site after Eagle Square, a development it did in Providence.


The only thing that was needed was a zoning change from manufacturing to business-general, BG-6, in order to build a $55 million complex of shops, offices and condominiums. The Worcester Planning Board rejected the zone change, Feldco left and the parcel remains vacant.




Comments

David Z. said…
And Konnie Lukes was a vocal opponent to the development.
Bill Randell said…
Dave what is your point.

Yes she did and I personally did not agree with at all at the time.

Mfg base has left the city and was not coming back.

Still a huge fan of Konnie, but she got this wrong....
Anonymous said…
The City demonstrated that it could support larger market rate housing about 10-15 years ago with the conversion of the old Vocational School, the El Morroco, the apartments across the street from the bus hub... so the construction of additional residential units does not excite me, especially since any increased taxes will be at best a break even situation since and the increased tax revenues will be used to pay for the loans to build the ballpark and not for schools roads etc. If and when we see an office building rise out of the ground or a hotel being opened, employing Worcester residents, we can claim victory.
Anonymous said…
The development either 20 years ago or 2 years ago was contingent upon a zone change which finally happened. Besides the development you mention there was also the slot parlor proposal and most likely others that we probably never heard of. I heard Dwodle wanted to put the Walmart on 146 here before he built it off 146.
wormtown said…
You think that blighted property behind Green St. would have been developed without the ballpark? Keep dreaming.
Anonymous said…
It used to be parking . If the City acquired the property and repaved it for parking it would have been less expensive and the Canal District which was growing without the ball park would have the parking it continues to needs desperately. Candy Carlson just spoke about parking issues around Union Station and the Canal District at the last couple meetings because residents and employees do not have places to park. It was a great location to park then walk down the hill to The Crompton Collective.
wormtown said…
Parking lots and Amazon warehouses. This blogs version of development in this city. Typical Worcester.
Bill Randell said…
Nobody is spending money on these developments because of Polar Park. IF that was the case then Madison would have had all their projects on-line. Yes, I believe the Green Street property (Cove) would have been developed without Polar Park
wormtown said…
Yes, because we can see all that development that took place the last 50 years. Especially that skate ramp full of human excrement and hypodermic needles. Just what Worcester needs more of.
Anonymous said…
Can we separate the development discussion from the human excrement and needle discussion.

The Canal District was growing organically and independent of any assistance from the City with the exception of maybe the paving of the streets. I just did a Google Map and am looking at the businesses and residences that were developed well before the ball park, the Worcester Public Market, the Crompton Collective/Birch Tree Bread building, the Ice Rink, Lock 50/Russo's etc. all of which came on line well before the ball park. There has been enough development that one could reasonably say that since there is a proven track record it would continue into the future. Residential units seem clustered around Union Station which was probably what the City planned for and what Candy Carlson has some concern about now because parking is becoming a problem.

Finally, even in light of the unhoused, human excrement and hypodermic needle issue the Canal District grew. This issue lingering for so long was partly caused by the City burying their head in the sand or intentionally turning a blind eye on an issue they did not wish to deal with.
Anonymous said…
Noticed that the Hess station is under construction. Must be because of the ballpark.
On a serious note I was speaking with someone who just attended a game and had a great time, with the exception of the weather. He told me about bumping into high school classmates of ours that neither one of us has seen in years. Polar Park has become a social venue but I still do no think it is a good expenditure of public funds especially where there are so many other needs unfunded in the City, Burncoat High being up there on the top of the list followed closely by street paving. Finally, have you found out why the WooSox do not pay taxes?
wormtown said…
Was it just a coincidence that the Lucky Dog was vacant and suddenly redevelopment happens after the ballpark is built? Is it a coincidence that the AOH now has funds to redevelop their property and remove the metal eyesore from the front of the building after the ballpark was built? You will not recognize area in 10 years. It will change in a good way. Development will increase exponentially once we get further from the once in a century pandemic. And yes, all because of the ballpark.
Anonymous said…
Much development promised in the park area was not because of the park in my opinion. It was because of the tifs,grants, city created deals. These were happening in other parts of the city pre park such as arts district, courthouse, boys club ect. Just so happened the good ol boys needed the added development near the park to make the fairy tale look legit on the residents wont be burdened with cost as the area added developments would add enough tax revenue to cover the deals. Why else would you pull neighborhood development grants destined for the Cambridge Canterbury area to improve blight and conditions and pull them into the park area yet leave the blight improvement funds intact for the massasoit area. And the area near the old rta terminal was also turned into an area to help bury the environmental issues. Thats why price chopper pulled out and our old city mgrs company got the deal to develop.
Anonymous said…
Same city that just named an atty to the chair of the wra that represented clark in the look
At the arrests of students by wpd during the protests not long ago
Anonymous said…
It is not a coincidence that the Cove development is occurring. I remember reading the majority of the land for the development was extra land from when the City acquired land to build the ball park. The City did the work and assembled the land and demolished the building for a developer.
Anonymous said…
The Lucky Dog would have been development. Apartments are popping up all over the City.
Anonymous said…
No coincidence w lucky dog. There were deals cut way before. Hotel vernon would have been gone if historical did not pause it and cause ppl to look at the plans noticing property was not need
wormtown said…
You are saying the Cove was demolished by the city?
Anonymous said…
Reading the comments I can't see where it says the City demolished the Cove.
wormtown said…
“The city did the work and assembled the land and demolished the building for the developer.”