Three major development projects cleared another hurdle Wednesday as the Worcester Planning Board unanimously approved definitive site plans for a Grove Street shopping plaza, the first announced tenant at GreenTech Park and a 50-unit apartment building on Providence Street.
CAVA and First Watch planned for Grove Street
Natick-based Stonegate Group LLC received approval for a shopping plaza at 278 Grove St. featuring CAVA (2,580 square feet) and First Watch (3,700 square feet), along with a 10,280-square-foot retail building that will include space for five additional tenants. Three of those spaces are planned for office use, while two are designated for restaurants.
The development, bounded by Grove Street, Brookfield Street and Powers Court, also includes 153 parking spaces.
Restaurant Depot becomes GreenTech Park’s first tenant
At 1 New Bond St., the former home of Saint-Gobain and Norton Company, the Worcester Business Development Corporation (WBDC) operates GreenTech Park, a 51-acre development site acquired in 2022 by New Garden Park Inc., a nonprofit subsidiary of WBDC.
The Planning Board approved plans from applicant RD Mass Inc. for a 50,000-square-foot Restaurant Depot warehouse, making it the first announced tenant at the development. Restaurant Depot is a wholesale supplier serving foodservice operators. According to the company’s website, it operates 167 warehouse locations nationwide, including six in Massachusetts: Milford, Needham, Andover, Everett, Chicopee and Avon.
The warehouse will occupy a four-acre lot with 171 parking spaces and five loading bays.
“We’re so excited that Restaurant Depot will be our first end user in the park,” said Roberta Brien, executive vice president of WBDC. “We believe that 30 acres of advanced manufacturing along Interstate 190 will definitely complete our mission, WBDC’s mission, of bringing jobs and increasing the tax base for the municipality.”
During public comment, District 1 City Councilor Tony Economou voiced his support for the project.
“This area once produced many jobs, many family jobs,” said Economou. “It’s refreshing to see the WBDC and Saint Gobain come together to bring this reimagined plan to us.”
New apartments approved on Providence Street
Boston-based 51 Providence Acquisition LLC also received approval to construct a five-story, 60,000-square-foot apartment building at 51 Providence St. The project includes 50 residential units and 50 parking spaces. The existing former Worcester Academy office building on the property will be demolished.
Five of the apartments will be designated as affordable housing at 60% of the area median income.
The development will include eight studio apartments, 21 one-bedroom units and 21 two-bedroom units on a 36,536-square-foot lot.
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.
