In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.
These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.
In today’s edition – Friday, September 24 – part two of the Worcester Youth Vax Fall Series is tonight, the Project Executive for the redevelopment of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium is named, two local projects are awarded funds from the state Economic Development Incentive Program, State Rep. LeBoeuf hosts a roundtable of community leaders to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing housing in Worcester, and a new PSA about going back to school produced by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Part Two of the Worcester Youth Vax Fall Series
The Worcester Youth Vax Series continues today — Friday, September 24 — at the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester at 65 Boys & Girls Club Way.
Prizes are awarded at each event including $150 in gift cards for sneakers at Sneakerama, Eblens or Scoop Drip.
The Friday event is the second of the four event series. The third event is at the YMCA at 766 Main Street on Friday, October 1, and at Girls Inc. at 125 Providence Street on Thursday, October 7.
Project Executive Named for Worcester Aud Project
The Architectural Heritage Foundation [AHF] announced on Thursday, September 24, it named Jake Sanders the Project Executive for the renovation and redevelopment of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium.
Sanders previously served as the Chief of Staff to City Manager Ed Augustus. While employed with the city, Sanders was a member of the negotiating and construction teams for Polar Park and the City’s designee on the Worcester Regional Transit Authority. Prior to being a city employee, Sanders was Director of External Relations at Becker College. He graduated from Ithaca College and has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Clark University.
The redevelopment of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium will require private, local, state, federal and philanthropic investment.
AHF’s objectives are to:
- Rehabilitate and restore the facility into an innovative digital technology, arts, and entertainment center to recognize the cultural, institutional, and commercial users in the surrounding area
- Acknowledge the historic nature of the Auditorium and its potential to serve as a catalyst for the neighborhood
- Preserve the exterior building facades, Memorial Hall, Kimball organ, and interior murals
- Provide building upgrades and improvements, including life safety systems and universal accessibility
- Create economic development opportunities related to digital media.
Governor Baker Announces Two Local Development Projects
Governor Charlie Baker’s office announced the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council [EACC] approved eight projects for participation in the Economic Development Incentive Program [EDIP].The projects expect to create 375 net new jobs and retain 370 jobs throughout Massachusetts, while leveraging approximately $130 million in private investment.
Two of the approved projects reside in Worcester County:
Cogmedix, Inc. in West Boylston
Cogmedix, Inc. provides turnkey manufacturing services to a broad range of innovative medical and dental OEM’s. The company’s primary focus is on complex electro-mechanical and electro-optical devices as well as a specialized niche in laser based technologies. Cogmedix plans to construct a new manufacturing facility of approximately 101,400 sq. ft. In this new facility Cogmedix will provide manufacturing and engineering services to a broad range of innovative medical and dental customers. The company is creating 200 new jobs, retaining 160 existing jobs and making an investment of $8.7 million. The town of West Boylston approved a five-year Tax Financing Agreement with a value of approximately $328,930.
Madison WG Holdings, LLC in Worcester
Madison Properties is a commercial real estate developer with direct familiarity in the Worcester area. This project includes the construction of a 121,000 sq. ft. multi-story, mixed-use building on the left edge of Polar Park ballpark. The building will be comprised of retail on the ground floor, four floors of office space and a rooftop terrace overlooking the ballpark. The proposed below-ground parking garage will help serve parking needs. The project entails a $50 million investment and the city of Worcester plans to approve a 15-year TIF valued at approximately $2.9 million.
State Rep. LeBoeuf Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Housing Needs in Worcester
State Rep. David LeBoeuf is hosting a roundtable of community leaders to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing housing in Worcester today — Friday, September 24 — at Main South Community Development Corporation at 825 Main Street in Worcester.
Also included in the roundtable is Joint Committee on Housing Chair State Rep. Jim Arciero, local non-profit housing providers, foundation leaders, community development corporation leaders, municipal housing officials, elected officials.
The roundtable begins at 11 AM.
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Launches Back to School PSA
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has launched a public service announcement about the return to in-person learning at Massachusetts schools.
See the video, below.
