Road improvements, new housing and restaurant openings are among the developments taking shape across Worcester this week.
City officials presented plans for a $10.1 million roadway project near Worcester State University, a Shrewsbury developer proposed 24 apartments on Grafton Street and Wonder opened its first Worcester location. Meanwhile, 10 local businesses were selected for the latest Startup Worcester program.
City hosts meeting on upgrades to Chandler, May streets
The city of Worcester hosted a presentation on proposed roadway improvements to Chandler and May streets at the Worcester Dual Language Magnet School on Oct. 15.
Initiated in 2017, the project aims to reduce speeding while improving safety and traffic control on portions of Chandler and May streets near Worcester State University. According to the city, the project has reached 100% design completion.
Steve Rolle, commissioner of the city’s Department of Transportation and Mobility, and Amanda Bazinet of engineering firm VHB gave an overview of the project before residents were invited to offer feedback. Residents spoke both for and against the proposed improvements.
The focal point of the project is the construction of two modern roundabouts at the north and south intersections of Chandler and May streets along the front of the WSU campus.
The improvements also call for ADA-compliant sidewalks, shorter crosswalks, raised crosswalks and new rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs). On-street parking will also be included on both sides of Chandler and May streets.
Funded through the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the estimated project cost is $10.1 million. Construction, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, could begin as early as summer 2027, with completion targeted for 2029.
A separate $23.3 million Complete Streets redesign of Chandler Street between Main Street and Park Avenue is also expected to begin in 2028.
Shrewsbury developer plans 24 new apartments on Grafton Street
Cedar Realty Group LLC of Shrewsbury has submitted plans to build a 24-unit multifamily apartment complex at 0 Grafton St./Route 122, near the Millbury town line. The site currently consists of 58,915 square feet of vacant land.
A definitive site plan for the project will go before the Worcester Planning Board at its next meeting Oct. 28 at City Hall.
The development would feature two three-story buildings, each containing 12 units. Building A would house six one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units. All 12 units in Building B would have two bedrooms.
Plans call for 23 off-street parking spaces, including spaces assigned to individual units. Four spaces would be equipped with electric vehicle charging stations.
Multi-cuisine restaurant Wonder opens on Park Ave.
Wonder, a tech-driven, multi-cuisine restaurant, officially opened its Worcester location with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting Oct. 15 at 14 Park Ave. The site formerly housed Boston Market, which closed permanently in November 2025.
Offering menu items from approximately 20 to 30 restaurant concepts, the Worcester location is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Another Wonder location recently opened at the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley in Millbury.
Wonder has more than 100 locations nationwide, including 20 in Massachusetts. The company was founded by entrepreneur Marc Lore, who previously served as president and CEO of Walmart U.S. eCommerce.
Menu offerings include comfort foods such as pizza, steak, burgers and chicken, along with Mexican, Indian, Mediterranean, Thai and Italian dishes.
Customers can order through the Wonder app or website, mixing and matching items from several restaurant menus in a single order. Options include delivery, in-store pickup and dine-in service.
Worcester Chamber announces 12th Startup Worcester cohort
Ten local companies have been selected for the 2026-27 Startup Worcester program, a joint initiative of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and WorcLab.
The entrepreneurship program, now in its 12th year, seeks to launch and grow innovative businesses in the region. Financial support is provided by program sponsors M&T Bank and Millstone Law.
Businesses selected for the cohort represent a range of industries and receive complimentary memberships to both the Chamber and WorcLab, access to coworking space and mentorship opportunities.
Programming begins this month and includes opportunities to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, business leaders and mentors.
The 10 businesses selected for this year’s cohort are Artist Health Coverage (health care for creatives); Avanza Ability Partners Inc. (support for people with developmental disabilities); Born for More (youth empowerment social enterprise); Dewar Performance (SEO and website strategies); Golden Transportation (transportation services for veterans, seniors and people with disabilities); Greenhouse Bread (sourdough bakery); Lexagy LLC (software company); My Collective (mindfulness and wellness program); Vanguard Insight (consulting firm); and Wuoti Law LLC (contract legal services).
“The 12th StartUp Worcester cohort reflects the breadth of entrepreneurship taking place across Central Massachusetts,” Michael Kane, director of economic development and public policy at the Chamber, said. “These founders are tackling challenges in areas ranging from transportation and healthcare access to technology, professional services, food, and youth development. We look forward to connecting them with the resources, mentors, and relationships that can help them take their businesses to the next level.”
Alumni of the program include Petricore, Solvus Global, HydroGlyde Coatings, Munq, Wicked Wheels, Wake the Way, the Jewelry Co-Op and EZBusy.ai.
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
