WORCESTER—Worcester City Council addresses a relatively light agenda at this week’s meeting, including fallout from Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s (WPI) plan to convert two hotels in the Gateway Park area into dormitories.
Last month’s announcement sparked controversy, as city leaders voiced concerns about its potential impact on tourism, job losses, and a major reduction in tax revenue. The issue remains a point of contention, with three agenda items addressing it again this week.
Mayor Joe Petty has filed an order requesting that the city manager explore potential partnerships between WPI and Worcester Public Schools, future community investments WPI could make, the economic impact of losing hotel rooms, and how the wage theft ordinance may influence negotiations with the university.
Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson has also requested that the city manager ensure that the taxation values involved in negotiations with WPI reflect the true property values of the two hotels, located at 65 Prescott St. and 72 Grove St., after their purchase by the institution.
Additionally, Councilor Morris Bergman is asking for a report from the city manager outlining strategies to protect against further loss of taxable properties, as colleges and universities continue to expand within the city. These three orders will be key points of discussion as city leaders assess the broader impact of WPI’s expansion plans.
In another agenda item, Councilor Etel Haxhiaj leads a resolution to express council’s support for the Haitian and broader immigrant communities in Worcester and throughout the country. This measure comes at a time of heightened focus on immigrant issues both locally and nationwide.
Other items include:
- The Committee on Urban Technologies, Innovation, and Environment requests a report on strategies to increase competition among internet providers in the city.
- A request from Mayor Petty to study the feasibility of revitalizing an annual local art and vendor market. The move comes only a week following the final stART on the Street event, which celebrated its 20th anniversary and final festival.
- Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson requests draft language that would implement an institutional zoning ordinance, requiring colleges, universities, and hospitals to file ten-year institutional master plans.
- A tabled item dating back to 2019 asks the city solicitor to provide a legal opinion on implementing a residential rent control program and its potential impacts.
- A proposal from Councilors Etel Haxhiaj and Thu Nguyen to establish an Office of Housing Stability, aimed at preventing displacement and enhancing tenants’ rights.
Worcester City Council meets on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at City Hall in the Esther Howland (south) Chamber at 6:30 p.m.
