WORCESTER – The Worcester Planning Board approved a change to UMass Memorial Medical Center’s plan to develop property at 378 Plantation St. during its meeting on Wednesday. UMass purchased the location, the former location of Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, in 2021 for $23.5 million.
UMass seeks to add three floors over a section of the building and equal in height to the existing building. The new floors will remain unfinished space for future use. A representative from UMass told the planning board the hospital would seek to add beds there in the future, but would first need approval from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
One resident who lives adjacent to the property opposed the change to the plan with concerns he said his neighbors on Mohican Road share. He said the building comes within 10 feet of his property and the new addition would eliminate sunlight reaching his property for much of the day. He also said he had concerns about water runoff and other issues.
Prior to the vote, board members commented that the nature of the change in UMass’ plan is outside of its purview to deny. The building, with the proposed changes, does not change the site layout from the prior plan presented to and approved by the board. All five members of the board voted unanimously to approve the updated UMass plan.
This is the third time UMass brought the plan for 378 Plantation St. to the planning board. The board first approved the plan last year and UMass returned with additional information in October.
Perkins & Will is the architect for the project.
Image Credit: Render of site presented by UMass and Perkins & Will to the Planning Board on Wednesday, Jan. 3.
