Worcester to Sell Old Courthouse for $1.2 Million
Friday, March 20, 2015
Brady Sullivan Properties, LLC, of New Hampshire, plans to convert the courthouse into residential apartments and retail space. According to the City of Worcester, the entire building will be preserved and renovated.
The City Council will need to approve the sale of the courthouse on March 24.
City Manager Ed Augustus said, "“This is a huge win for the city of Worcester. I’m pleased we were able to preserve this beautiful historic building and put it on our tax rolls so quickly. The redevelopment of this iconic landmark will pave the way for even more development in North Main Street.”
Brady Sullivan Properties will not look to public funding for the project. The preservation and renovation will be funded by private investment. The company estimates the renovation will take just over a year.
The courthouse is 250,000 square feet located on Main and Highland Streets.
“This is a huge step forward for the revitalization of Lincoln Square and the North Main Street area,” said the city’s Chief Development Officer, Michael E. Traynor. “With this project, we will continue to build on the momentum of the highly successful Voke Lofts Apartments, adding even more vibrancy and life to the area.”
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to rehabilitate the courthouse which we consider to have tremendous potential for residential units. It is a beautiful, well-built structure that Brady Sullivan is committed to preserving as an historic landmark,” said Shane Brady, principal of Brady Sullivan. “We are also happy to have the opportunity to create jobs during the course of the project and to create beautiful apartments for in-town living. We expect that the courthouse will contain some of our most impressive living spaces.”
The city and state will split the net proceeds of the sale.
A redevelopment plan must be submitted to Massachusetts Historical Commission, Preservation Worcester and the Worcester Historical Commission for their review and a consultation period of no more than 30 days. The city’s agreement with Brady Sullivan also requires a plan for the preservation and conservancy of the General Charles Devens Civil War Memorial/Equestrian statue.
The company has agreed to use best efforts to hire 50% of its construction labor force from qualified local companies or from qualified companies with apprenticeship programs.
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