Worcester’s business and development news this week stretches from one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks to one of its largest redevelopment projects.
Maxwell Silverman’s remains at Union Station for another two years despite questions about how the space is being used, while a proposed tax incentive aimed at attracting advanced manufacturers to GreenTech Park moved another step forward. Elsewhere, a new 55-plus residential community marked its official opening and the Worcester Economic Club kicked off a new season under new leadership.
WRA renews lease with Maxwell Silverman’s at Union Station
The Worcester Redevelopment Authority unanimously approved the renewal of a two-year lease with Maxwell Silverman’s Banquet and Conference Center for restaurant space and Grand Hall operations at Union Station at its Sept. 17 meeting.
Maxwell Silverman’s continues to lease both Luciano’s Restaurant and the roughly 9,100-square-foot Grand Hall after being the only bidder to respond to the WRA’s request for proposals.
Mark Borenstein, a real estate attorney with Prince Lobel Tye LLP, represents 961 Restaurant, which is also located adjacent to the Grand Hall at Union Station. He spoke in opposition to the lease renewal and called for the RFP to be rescinded and reissued.
“This is our front door to the world, and it’s currently vacant. It’s underutilized,” Borenstein said, referring to the Grand Hall. “I recognize that the more expedient option would be to renew for two years, but I truly believe that does a disservice to the city of Worcester and also the commuters. Because effectively, it turns the commuters into second class citizens that are subordinate to Maxwell Silverman’s operations.”
“I truly believe that this proposal does not reflect the activation that’s needed for Union Station or what Worcester deserves,” Borenstein added.
Members of the Authority responded that not renewing the lease with Maxwell Silverman’s could jeopardize events already scheduled in the Grand Hall. Members also expressed concern that rejecting the proposal could cause the Authority to lose the only bidder it had.
“We have this opportunity to move forward and as it was mentioned, certainly for the next proposal more assessment, more due diligence, more feedback will go into the next RFP that will be going out,” WRA member Walter Weekes said.
Member Jackson Restrepo, who was appointed to the Authority by the governor, agreed with Weekes.
“It’s not like people were lining up to put in a bid. At the end of the day, we thought that we were going to get multiple bids,” Restrepo said. “There’s only one player that wanted to participate in this process and I don’t want to lose that bird that we already have.”
Peter Dunn, the city’s chief development officer and chief executive officer of the WRA, also provided an update that Creedon and Co. Inc. is no longer interested in operating the cafe space at Union Station because of concerns with certain existing architectural configurations.
The WRA had previously recommended Creedon to lease the space based on the company’s response to its RFP. Dunn said the city is leaning toward putting the space back out to bid once it has been “better prepared.”
Economic Development Committee recommends TIF zone for GreenTech Park
The city council’s Standing Committee on Economic Development unanimously endorsed a proposed tax increment financing zone for GreenTech Park at its Sept. 16 meeting.
GreenTech Park is a 51-acre development site acquired in 2022 by New Garden Park Inc., a nonprofit subsidiary of the Worcester Business Development Corporation.
The proposed TIF would focus on a 30-acre section of the site adjacent to Interstate 190.
Roberta Brien, executive vice president of the WBDC, told the committee the incentive could play an important role in marketing the project to prospective companies.
“This preordained TIF that we will be able to advertise and market as part of our package to advanced manufacturers will get us in the game–will get us a seat at the table where we’re currently being knocked out early in competitions because of our tax rate,” Brien said. “With your approval, this would help us be much more competitive and bring really high-quality jobs to Worcester.”
According to Dunn, Worcester has the eighth-highest commercial tax rate in Massachusetts, which can be a barrier for companies considering relocating to the city.
The framework of the TIF could include an exemption of 35% to 50% for a period of 10 to 15 years, depending on the size of a proposed building and the number of jobs created. Dunn said a similar agreement was successfully used in the development of the South Worcester Industrial Park with Table Talk Pies.
“The GreenTech Park initiative has been one of the most important priorities for our economic development agenda over the last several years,” Dunn said.
The committee’s recommendation will now go before the full City Council for final approval.
The Arbella at Bramble Hill cuts ribbon on 55-plus community
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Sept. 17 to celebrate the official opening of The Arbella at Bramble Hill, a 55-plus residential community at 361 Arbella Drive.
The complex, located on Worcester’s West Side off Salisbury Street, features one- and two-bedroom apartments and amenities including an indoor pool, multimedia theater, pickleball court, heated garage, fitness center, wellness center and spa, dog park, community garden, golf simulator and yoga studio.
Three buildings on the 17-acre site contain 123 units. The project was developed by the United Group of Companies, based in Troy, New York. Residents began moving in just over a year ago, in July 2025.
Speakers at the event included Mayor Joseph M. Petty; Alex Schmidt, senior vice president of Eastern Bank; Michael J. Uccellini, chief executive officer of United Group; and Dave Garvin, manager of workforce programs for the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.
More information for prospective tenants is available at the development’s website.
Worcester Economic Club welcomes Lavoie as president
Mike Lavoie, executive vice president and senior commercial officer at Cornerstone Bank, has been named president of the Worcester Economic Club as the group begins its 2026-27 season. The club’s website lists Lavoie as president for the new season.
As president, Lavoie helps lead the organization as it brings business and community leaders together for programs, networking and discussions of issues shaping the region and its economy.
A season kickoff networking event will be held Sept. 23 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Off the Rails. The group has also announced the first two dates for its dinner meeting series this fall and winter.
Political commentator and media strategist Mark McKinnon, a co-host of “The Circus,” is the featured speaker Oct. 5, while former Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash headlines the Dec. 8 meeting.
“I am honored to serve as president and look forward to building on that tradition while creating new opportunities for our members to connect, learn, and engage with the important economic and business issues affecting our community,” Lavoie said.
About Building Worcester: Building Worcester is The Worcester Guardian’s weekly roundup of business, development and economic news from across the city, tracking major projects, new businesses, public meetings, commercial real estate and the decisions shaping Worcester’s future.
Have a tip about a new business, development project or commercial property? Email Executive Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org or reporter Mike Vigneux at MikeVigs@gmail.com.
