A long-discussed redevelopment project tied to the former St. Vincent Hospital campus received a major financial boost this week, moving plans forward for nearly 100 affordable senior housing units connected to the Worcester Senior Center.
Rogerson Communities announced Tuesday that the project secured a $1.2 million federal earmark that will help fund environmental remediation work as part of a broader redevelopment effort at 128 Providence St.
The project includes restoration of the historic St. Vincent Hospital convent and nurses home, along with construction of a new affordable independent living apartment building. Altogether, the development is expected to create 98 affordable homes for older adults on a campus already anchored by the Worcester Senior Center and existing support services.
The federal funding is specifically pegged for lead and asbestos remediation tied to the historic restoration work, according to a press release.
“These projects are essential and important to the well-being of older adults,” Rogerson President and CEO Walter Ramos said in a statement. “Rogerson is thankful for the opportunity to bring affordable homes to the older adults of Worcester.”
City officials and state leaders joined Ramos outside the Senior Center on Tuesday to formally announce the funding.
“I want to thank Walter Ramos and the team at Rogerson Communities for all they’ve done for seniors in Worcester and for their continuing investment in this city’s future,” U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern said in the release. “This project is a big deal. This will be a model for what senior housing can and should look like. Homes that people can afford, connected to the resources they need as they grow older.”
The redevelopment has been viewed by city leaders as a critical piece of Worcester’s broader effort to address housing shortages among older residents, particularly as rising housing costs continue to pressure fixed-income seniors.
“This isn’t about cleaning up an old building, it’s about making good on our promises to the generation who built this city,” Mayor Joseph Petty said in the release.
City Manager Eric Batista said Worcester had spent years searching for a viable path forward for the property.
“[Worcester] has been working for years to find someone capable of taking on this challenging project,” Batista said in the release. “I know that Rogerson can get this project done because of their proven record—not only in Worcester but across the state.”
The redevelopment would preserve a prominent historic structure while expanding affordable housing options in a city where demand for senior housing continues to outpace supply.
