WRTA to Build $38 Million Maintenance Facility on Quinsigamond Ave.

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Wednesday, October 02, 2013

Paige Pihl Buckley, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) has planned two public meetings to discuss the $38 million maintenance facility to be built near Compton Park on Quinsigamond Avenue in Worcester. The new facility would replace the current one on Grove Street, host and maintain WRTA vehicles, and boast high tech updates like an electric car charging station and solar panels.

The new facility, which would be located in the heart of Worcester’s Canal District, will largely be funded by a grant sponsored by Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA).

“I have proudly supported the new WRTA maintenance facility as a vital component of the future of mass transportation in Central Massachusetts. This new state-of-the art center will replace a woefully obsolete converted trolley barn, and will be more environmentally friendly,” said Congressman McGovern.

Grant Is Second Largest In Country

Congressman McGovern supported the WRTA’s application for the State of Good Repair Grant awarded by the Federal Transit Administration. Their $38 million award is the second largest in the country.

“I think this is a more convenient location downtown,” said John Giangregario, President of the Canal District Alliance. “This will bring economic development and jobs into that part of the Canal District that’s really a gateway to Downtown Worcester.”

Giangregario also hopes that the new construction will clean up the historically polluted area, and bring more business to that part of the city.

Steve O’Neil, Administrator at the WRTA, said the new location was chosen based on its proximity to the new transportation hub and the emptiness of the site, which made it ideal for new construction.

The WRTA also hopes to help the surrounding community be providing parking spaces for the park, and expanding meeting spaces to accommodate neighborhood groups that may want to use the space.

Giangregario is encouraging community members to attend the upcoming meetings, which are scheduled for today, Wednesday, October 2 at 12Pm and next Wednesday, October 9 at 7PM. They will be held at the Hotel Vernon in Kelley Square and at the Green Island Neighborhood Center, 50 Canton Street in Worcester, respectively.
 

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