WORCESTER— At Tuesday’s Worcester City Council meeting, frustration with Madison Properties overshadowed other discussions, including homelessness concerns. Councilors sharply criticized the developer for its delay in constructing the Polar Park left field building and its potential breach of the tax increment financing (TIF) agreement.
Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson called a recent letter from Madison Properties “disturbing,” noting that the city faces a financial shortfall of $700,000 to $800,000 due to the stalled project. She suggested considering eminent domain as an option, emphasizing, “We should look at any and all options.”
Other councilors, including Mayor Joseph Petty and Etel Haxhiaj, echoed the criticism. Haxhiaj described Madison Properties’ actions as “irresponsible” and called for stronger protections to prevent similar issues. Petty, while frustrated, reassured the council that Polar Park remains financially viable.
Mero-Carlson asked Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn, “Where do we as a city sit? What are our options?”
Dunn offered a recap of the land disposition and development agreement that has been in place, and the role of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA) in the scenario. Dunn said market conditions have impacted the developer’s plans for the left field building. The city has tried to motivate him to stick to a timeline.
“Over the last several years we have struggled with this developer,” Mero-Carlson, who chairs the Economic Development Committee, said in response. “We should think about eminent domain on this property. We should look at any and all options and I don’t take that lightly.”
Petty, Committee Chair Khrystian King, Haxhiaj and George Russell all weighed in by expressing their own frustrations with Madison Properties. Petty, however, maintained that the ballpark is still on track to pay for itself over 30 years and that the overall project is still strong.
Haxhiaj was forceful in her denunciation of Madison Properties. “That letter showed no respect for us,” she said. “Some of us were worried that this developer wouldn’t abide by his promises. It’s a slap in the face. The behavior of this developer is irresponsible. It’s completely unacceptable for Madison Properties to drag their feet.”
She then asked City Manager Eric Batista what “guardrails” are in place to prevent the same thing from happening in the future. These are limited.
King made several motions, one of which was to obtain minutes from the WRA for the past four years. He also asked if Madison Properties’ current stance is a violation of its covenant with the city—a “breach of contract.”
“I support any and all opportunities to pursue legal remedies,” King said.
Russell sought to pin down figures on lost revenue as a result of Madison Properties’ actions. He also asked who owns the land under “the slab” already poured for the left field building—Madison Properties, he was told. He was informed too that the city owns the land on which the ballpark sits.
Voicing his irritation, Russell said “I would like to see a very, very detailed report on that slab.”
The matter was send to Economic Development for further review.
Students address homelessness
Earlier in the meeting, public comment included remarks by several UMass Chan Medical School students who raised questions about how effectively the city is dealing with homelessness.
One of the students said homelessness is a daily struggle for the unhoused in their efforts to access basic necessities and proper support. More shelter beds are needed, she said, and an allowance has to be made for families, not just individuals who are suffering homelessness.
King referenced several of the public speakers’ remarks, stating that he has concerns about the Queen Street shelter.
“We can see by the naked eye what the unsheltered are facing,” he said.
He made a motion for more information from “that shelter,” which is operated by the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC), and a second motion for a “day center.
“We are looking at some communities criminalizing homelessness,” King said. “In the Worcester Public Schools families are sleeping in vehicles.” There is a need for a treatment center for the homeless, and public bathrooms, he said.
“I will be happy to bring back a report,” the city manager said.
“I would like a report in short order,” King told Batista.
Rod Lee is a career journalist, a veteran of the media scene in Central Massachusetts and the author of seven books including the recently published “Gil Cristopher,” a novel about the difficulties associated with aging. He can be contacted at rodlee1963@gmail.com
