WORCESTER, Mass. - Local officials are celebrating the award of two grants totaling $2.3 million to the City of Worcester through the MassWorks Infrastructure Program.
“These grants represent a huge investment in the future of our City, and I am grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration for their continued support,” said City Manager Edward Augustus, Jr. “The MassWorks grants will fund projects that improve the quality of life for Worcester residents and support the continued growth of our City.”
The first award is for just over $1 million to support the reconstruction of Brookview Drive and the installation of approximately 2,000 feet of architectural perimeter fencing that will replace an existing deteriorated guardrail.
The Brookview Drive improvements will support the Worcester Housing Authority’s efforts to encourage neighborhood engagement for the tenants in the 372 units at Curtis Apartments by creating a connection within the Curtis/Great Brook Valley neighborhoods. The project will also lead to the construction of 18 units of new housing at the Curtis Apartments, which will include six fully accessible units, and support the WHA's larger Gateway Cities Housing Initiative and Creative Space Making Projects.
The second award will support the reconstruction of a segment of Spruce Street with a $1.25 million grant, which will include upgrades to underground utilities, drainage improvements, new curbing, light poles, street furniture, and trees.
The grant will fund the reconstruction of Spruce Street between Green and Washington streets, as well as utility upgrades, and streetscape improvements. These improvements will support Boston Capital Development’s redevelopment of a four-acre site at 153 Green Street. This parcel contains the Table Talk Pie Company and is located directly adjacent to Polar Park, the newly constructed ballpark for the Red Sox’ minor league team. Boston Capital intends to invest $150 million for a multi-phased project that will include approximately 325 – 350 units of market-rate and affordable residential housing, more than 40,000 square feet of commercial space, and green spaces. The first phase is a planned 77-unit building with 100 percent of the units designated as affordable for households earning 60 percent or less of the area median income.
“These two MassWorks awards will help Worcester continue building on its success in redeveloping key parts of the city, building new housing of all types, and creating jobs in the process,” said Governor Charlie Baker.
Worcester’s two awards are part of this year’s round of MassWorks Infrastructure Program Grants and are included among 56 grants totaling $66.5 million to 50 communities.
“With these MassWorks awards, our Administration is proud to strengthen our partnership with Worcester and their strategy to renew and revitalize important areas of the city,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “By supporting key infrastructure and roadway upgrades, we can help leverage additional private funding that will lead to new housing, new retail opportunities, and green spaces, which combined offer further proof that Worcester is truly a city on the move.”
Including this year’s round, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded 326 MassWorks grants to 181 communities and has invested over $608 million in public infrastructure projects throughout the Commonwealth.