WORCESTER—After a short break, the start of school and the primary election last week, the Worcester City Council reconvenes Tuesday, Sept. 9, with a slate of agenda items ranging from housing and development updates to safety and economic initiatives. Councilors hear presentations from city officials and consider proposals that could further shape the city’s neighborhoods, public services, and long-term planning.
Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn is set to provide a detailed briefing on the city’s housing and neighborhood development initiatives. Among Dunn’s agenda items, councilors review the semi-annual Tax Increment Financing and Tax Increment Exemption report, which summarizes the financial impact of TIF agreements on local development.
Dunn also highlight progress under Worcester’s comprehensive Housing Strategy, including the creation of more than 400 affordable housing units currently underway and hundreds more proposed. Key accomplishments include 1,400 affordable units created or preserved since 2015, 1,600 more in the pipeline and 72 newly developed ADA-accessible units. In addition, the city’s Neighborhood Development Division continues to manage federal funding to support low- and moderate-income families.
Councilors also consider adopting a resolution to amend the Urban Center Housing TIF Plan for Lakeside Phase I projects at 34–46 Lakeside Ave., which are part of ongoing efforts to expand affordable housing. Additional economic development initiatives also hit the table, with updates on long-range planning and citywide projects such as the “Worcester Now | Next” comprehensive plan, the recently completed Cove project near Polar Park, and the adaptive reuse of 526 Main St.
The fire department presents its strategic plan update, detailing improvements implemented since the 2021 Emergency Services Consulting International report. Chief Martin Dyer outlines changes including expanded staffing, strengthened leadership, enhanced training, updated policies and procedures, and ongoing facility upgrades, including a new South Division station expected to open in 2027.
Public safety measures are also on the agenda. Councilors consider a Councilor Kathleen Toomey-led order on whether Worcester should adopt a state law requiring automatic fire sprinklers in residential buildings with four or more units, an initiative with potential implications for both new construction and renovations.
More highlights on the agenda:
- Honoring William S. Coleman III: Mayor Joe Petty and Councilor Luis Ojeda propose renaming Gardner Street from Main to Hollis in Coleman’s honor and declaring him honorary City-Councilor-for-a-Day on Oct. 20. Coleman, who passed in July, was a longtime community advocate, educator, and grant writer who championed multiple local initiatives. He also ran for local office several times.
- New Worcester Arts Council appointment: Hasib Mahmud joins the council, bringing fresh perspective to local arts initiatives.
- Home Rule and municipal property updates: The Law Department recommends adopting a zoning ordinance requiring Institutional Master Plans and provides an informational update on rental agreements for municipal properties.
- Money coming in to help the city: The council considers accepting a series of state grants totaling more than $1.6 million, including funding for emergency services training, youth employment programs, climate-critical workforce initiatives and municipal vulnerability preparedness, plus a $2,035 donation from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.
- Safety and infrastructure initiatives: Councilors Donna Colorio and Jenny Pacillo request reports on e-bike and scooter safety education, as well as upgrades to Duffy Field playground equipment. Toomey is also asking the city manager to report on plans to address invasive plant species in Worcester.
Worcester City Council meets Tuesday, Sept. 9, at City Hall in the Esther Howland (south) at 6:30 p.m. It is also live streamed on the city’s website.
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