Politics and the City: Greendale gets closer look under new WBDC initiative

Steven H. Foskett Jr., Telegram & Gazette

New look for Greendale?

Late last week, the Worcester Business Development Corp. announced it will undertake a new initiative to reimagine the Greendale area of the city. 

The WBDC is officially taking on the Greendale Revitalization Plan, which will examine parcels and target infrastructure improvements and development opportunities in the West Boylston Street/West Mountain Street/Higgins Industrial Park area.

It will also focus on manufacturing and commercial expansion. 

District 1 Councilor Sean Rose pointed out last week that the collection of neighborhoods in the city's north end known as Greendale includes 250 acres of industrial land, both modern and aging. It also includes 32 acres of vacant lots along the West Boylston Street commercial corridor. 

The WBDC's approach will look to modernize aging infrastructure and buildings, and plan for more efficient and pedestrian-friendly transportation. 

Rose said there will be a focus on comprehensive planning that will integrate the city's climate change goals. 

"This has been an important initiative of mine since being elected and I couldn't be happier that the WBDC, which has a proven track record, is taking the lead on its revitalization," Rose said. 

Peter Dunn, the city's chief development officer, said Friday the city's economic development agenda is not limited to downtown. He said all corners of the city should benefit from Worcester's continued growth, and that's what the Greendale initiative is designed to do.

"This initiative has the potential to expand the tax base, and improve quality of life for the neighborhood and the city as a whole," Dunn said. "Revitalizing underutilized properties into new, productive uses is a sound and sustainable growth strategy.”