Worcester’s housing pipeline kept moving this week, with plans advancing for new apartments, senior housing and the reuse of a long-vacant building.
Elsewhere, one of the city’s historic manufacturers has a new home, as David Clark Company settles into a 145,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing complex, while the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce has selected the next class of emerging leaders for its Leadership Worcester program.
Planning Board weighs in on new apartments, zoning for senior housing project
New residential apartments once again dominated discussion at a meeting of the Worcester Planning Board on Aug. 26.
The board unanimously approved a definitive site plan for a five-story, 27,797-square-foot multifamily apartment complex at 25-27 Perkins St.
Hancock Associates of Marlborough plans to raze the existing structure on the site and build a 23-unit apartment complex featuring 25 parking spaces in a two-level garage. The building will include one-, two- and three-bedroom units, five of which will be designated as affordable housing. Acropolis Design of Worcester is the architect for the project.
The board also voted unanimously to favorably recommend a proposed zoning map amendment for a city-owned parcel at 128 Providence St. Through the establishment of an Adaptive Reuse Overlay District, or AROD, the change would extend the RG-5 residence/general zoning district to allow for future development of the property.
A long-vacant structure from the former St. Vincent Hospital campus currently occupies the site, including the Nurses Building, which is attached to the Worcester Senior Center.
If the zoning change is ultimately approved by the city council, the city administration has identified Rogerson Communities of Boston as the preferred developer for the proposed restoration and redevelopment of the site into 98 units of senior housing.
In other business, Jackson Street Apartments LLC was unanimously approved for a special permit providing relief from minimum off-street parking and loading requirements. The developer plans to breathe new life into an old, abandoned apartment building at 1 Jackson St. that was converted into a warehouse in 1969.
The existing building will be renovated into a multifamily dwelling featuring 32 units: 14 one-bedroom apartments, nine studios and nine two-bedroom apartments. Given its location off Main Street near downtown, the development will not include parking for tenants.
One giant leap for David Clark Company with new facility
RP Masiello of Boylston has announced the completion of a new manufacturing complex and corporate headquarters for David Clark Company, a longtime Worcester aerospace technology company.
Located at 125 Northeast Cutoff, the former home of Allegro MicroSystems until 2018, the completely renovated facility spans 145,000 square feet.
David Clark Company, previously located at 360 Franklin St., is renowned for producing equipment for aerospace crews. The company has designed and produced spacesuits for every NASA program, including the 2026 Artemis II mission to the moon.
“This was a special project from the start,” David Masiello, president of RP Masiello, said in the company’s announcement. “It had challenging structural and mechanical aspects which we worked through. Plus, knowing that it was all for the future of an historic company that’s literally been to the moon and back was pretty awesome.”
The new facility includes engineering labs; manufacturing, assembly and testing suites; a warehouse and logistics area; a machine shop; and a cafeteria with a full commercial kitchen serving employees.
Chamber announces Leadership Worcester Class of 2027
The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced the selection of 28 area professionals for its Leadership Worcester Class of 2027.
Leadership Worcester is a nine-month program in which participants gain hands-on experience, learn from local leaders and make professional connections.
The current session, which includes monthly meetings from October through May, kicks off with an overnight retreat Sept. 10. Professionals selected this year represent a range of fields, including law, nonprofits, the arts, municipal government, higher education, finance and business. The program culminates with a graduation ceremony in June 2027.
Monthly topics include urban sustainability, education, economic development, public health, community safety, government, arts and culture and food security.
This year’s class is the 12th Leadership Worcester cohort since the Chamber relaunched the program in 2015. The C=chamber received 62 applications for 28 available spots.
“Leadership Worcester gives emerging leaders the opportunity to build those relationships, deepen their understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our city, and learn from the people and organizations doing this work every day. We are excited to welcome the Class of 2027 and see how they will use this experience to help shape Worcester’s future,” Tim Murray, president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, said in the announcement.
The cost to participate is $3,200, with scholarship assistance provided by employers as well as the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation, Fletcher Foundation, City of Worcester, Peter Stairti and Leadership Worcester Alumni Fund.
A full list of the Class of 2027 is available on the Leadership Worcester website. Applications for the next class will be available in February 2027.
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.
