WORCESTER—The city has put out a Request for Interest (RFI) for operation of Rockland Trust Plaza, an 18,500 square-foot area linking the downtown and Canal District neighborhoods, officials announced on Wednesday.
Situated at 45 Green St., the Plaza sits adjacent to Polar Park and is a planned mixed-use development boasting over 1,000 housing units, 200,000 square feet of office space, 150,000 square feet of retail space, and a hotel.
Previously serving as a municipal parking lot with 47 spaces, the Plaza has been transformed into a public green space by the Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA). This space now serves as a vital link between the two neighborhoods and acts as the northern gateway to Polar Park.
Designed as a versatile outdoor venue and gateway, the Plaza offers opportunities for pre-game gatherings, entertainment, dining options, pop-up retail, and community and arts events. The WRA’s site preparation and construction activities included removing existing pavement, installing concrete sidewalks with granite curbs, and incorporating various streetscapes and amenities.
The Plaza also features new landscaping, lighting, and utilities such as irrigation, electrical and plumbing systems, a water feature, and infrastructure to support outdoor programming.
According to the announcement, the municipality has the following goals and visions for Rockland Trust Plaza:
- Serve as a pedestrian gateway to the northern entrance of Polar Park
- Serve as a dynamic, creative public place for leisure activities and family entertainment
- Provide amenities, including limited food and beverage opportunities for visitors
- Provide opportunities for pop-up retail and serve as a launch pad for new business startups
- Host arts, cultural, and community events, as well as programs and shows
This Request for Interest seeks to identify an operator to execute the vision, management, programming, and placemaking of Rockland Trust Plaza, according tot he press release.
Letters of Interest are due at the City of Worcester Executive Office of Economic Development, 455 Main Street-Room 402, Worcester, Mass. 01608 no later than Friday, June 7, 2024, at 10 a.m.
Link to the full Request for Interest here.
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