Baker Awards Millions to Two Worcester Projects

Friday, November 06, 2015

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Baker-Polito administration has announced $85.6 million in MassWorks Infrastructure Awards for 46 communities across the Commonwealth. Two significant ones help to boost Worcester. "Funding will support a range of infrastructure investments that drive economic development and job creation, including downtown revitalization, and will help create more than 1200 units of multi-family housing across the state," claim the Governor's Office in a release.

“Targeted infrastructure investment helps leverage community and businesses assets to create jobs and grow regional economies,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Locally driven and community-backed efforts to create economic opportunity and improve our cities, including MassWorks, Community Compacts, and the Urban Agenda, are a vital part of our economic development plan.”

Worcester - Quinsigamond Ave - Gateway I, Phase I - $2,000,000
The $2,000,000 MassWorks award will fund Phase I of the infrastructure project and improve transportation safety and efficiency along a 2,300 foot segment of Quinsigamond Avenue from Ashmont Avenue. Quinsigamond Avenue is the primary connection between the regional highway network at Route 146 and central Worcester, where a number of major residential, commercial and mixed use developments are under construction or planned for construction during the 2015-2016 timeframe.

Worcester - CitySquare (Front + Center) - $1,000,000
The $1,000,000 MassWorks award will leverage $4,700,000 for upgrades to the West Garage located within the Front and Center section of City Square. The 1,647 space parking garage is the largest garage in downtown Worcester and is critical to the $70 million redevelopment of Front and Center. City Square is part of the Worcester Growth District and is a Priority Development Area in the 495/MetroWest Development Compact Plan.