The future of two significant Worcester properties came into sharper focus this week, with residents weighing in on what should replace the former Registry of Motor Vehicles site on Main Street and millions in state funding announced for the redevelopment of Lakeside Apartments.
The former RMV property could head to developers by the end of the year, while the Worcester Housing Authority’s oldest development is slated for a major transformation that will ultimately increase the number of homes at the Lakeside site.
Community offers feedback on use of former RMV site
Members of the public offered ideas for the future of 611 Main St. during a community input session hosted by the Worcester Redevelopment Authority on Sept. 2 at the Worcester Public Library.
Previously owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the property housed the Worcester branch of the Registry of Motor Vehicles from 1983 until its relocation in August 2022. The WRA took ownership of the property from MassDOT in January 2026.
The 1.5-acre site includes a single-story, 13,330-square-foot building that formerly housed the Registry and was used as a temporary homeless shelter during the winter months in 2023 and 2024.
Ideas offered by attendees included market-rate and affordable housing, housing for people experiencing homelessness, a grocery store, a drugstore and a parking garage.
According to Peter Dunn, the city’s chief development officer and CEO of the WRA, the authority plans to issue a request for proposals by the end of 2026 with a minimum bid of $1.5 million for interested developers.
The RFP will likely be advertised for 60 to 90 days to allow developers time to prepare proposals. The WRA will then evaluate the submissions and select a winning bid, ultimately leading to a Land Disposition and Development Agreement.
“It’s about a 13,000 square-foot single story building right now,” Dunn said, referring to the former Registry building. “We would imagine that most of the proposals we would get would be to take that down and build something bigger in its place. But, we’ll see what we get.”
The lot is currently being used for public parking. A Park Worcester/LAZ sign advertises parking at the “Madison St. Lot” for $15, valid until 3 a.m.
Dunn said the site will not be used as a temporary homeless shelter going forward.
Lakeside Apartments redevelopment awarded state funding
Gov. Maura Healey and Housing Secretary Juana Matias visited Worcester on Sept. 3 to announce nearly $278 million in state funding to create or preserve almost 2,550 rental homes across 20 Massachusetts communities.
The redevelopment of Lakeside Apartments, the Worcester Housing Authority’s oldest property, will receive a total of $21 million, including tax credits.
Built in 1949, Lakeside has 202 units across 34 three-story buildings.
The reconstruction project will be completed in four phases and ultimately yield 350 units.
Second Chance plans major expansion on Park Ave.
Second Chance Animal Services has purchased the former Plywood Plus property at 600 Park Ave., where the nonprofit plans to build a substantially larger veterinary hospital and community resource center.
The property is about five times the size of Second Chance’s existing Worcester location at 831 Main St. Plans call for a Community Veterinary Hospital roughly three times the size of the current facility, allowing the organization to add veterinarians and expand appointments, surgeries and other services.
The new location will also include a community thrift shop and serve as a base for expanded mobile veterinary services.
Second Chance hopes to open the facility by the end of 2027 and is seeking to raise $1.2 million for construction, renovations, medical equipment and other costs. The organization is also seeking donated or discounted labor, materials and professional services from area contractors and businesses. Read more about the expansion.
L&S Transportation buys $1.75 million Tacoma Street property
L&S Transportation Services has purchased commercial property at 340 Tacoma St., giving the growing Worcester non-emergency medical transportation company a permanent base for its operations.
The $1.752 million project was financed through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 504 Loan Program in partnership with the Worcester Business Development Corporation and Bay State Bank.
Founded in 2021 by Limbert Lavandier, L&S had been operating from Lavandier’s Worcester home. The new property includes office space, covered parking and a large outdoor area for vehicle circulation and fleet operations, allowing the company to centralize its operations and accommodate future growth.
Read more about L&S Transportation’s Worcester expansion here.
The Bra Shop launches Project Uplift for girls
The Bra Shop in downtown Worcester has launched Project Uplift, a program aimed at removing an often-overlooked barrier for girls participating in sports: access to properly fitting, supportive bras.
Working with United Way of Central Massachusetts and with support from the Worcester Railers Hockey Club, the program will provide eligible girls in grades 5 through 12 with a private professional fitting, one sports bra, one everyday bra and education about proper fit and care, all at no cost.
Participants will be referred through approved schools and community organizations, including Worcester Public Schools, Girls Inc. of Worcester, Girls on the Run, the Boys & Girls Club of Central Massachusetts, Girl Scouts of Central & Western Massachusetts and YWCA Central Massachusetts.
The Bra Shop, which recently celebrated five years in business, relocated and rebranded last year at its larger downtown location at 303 Main St.
Read more about Project Uplift here.
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.
