Action Agenda

Over the past few years, an increasing number of out-of-town investors and developers have discovered Worcester real estate and its potential investment opportunities. The City's commuter rail service and investment in roadway projects have enhanced these opportunities. Members of the City Council, local business leaders, area residents, and the local media have expressed awareness and interest in economic development issues in response to these various real estate development proposals.

This renewed interest has also led to the need to create an integrated "vision" of how these various projects and opportunities can best be connected for the overall benefit of the community. The recent sale of the Worcester Common Outlets and its office towers and parking structures has created a sense of immediacy regarding the future of downtown. With these issues and concerns in mind, the Executive Office of Economic Development engaged Sasaki Associations and their real estate advisors, ZHA, in early 2004 to develop an Action Agenda.

Following months of meetings and discussions including a major development charrette in February with stakeholders representing the City's wide array of constituencies, the Action Agenda was crafted.

The Action Agenda was formally presented to the Worcester City Council on September 7, 2004. It was referred to the Council's Committee on Commerce and Development. A hearing before that committee has not yet been set.

Implementation of the Action Agenda will be a complex undertaking that will require cooperation between the public and private sectors, as well as between various branches and levels of government to succeed. Ultimately, the vision of the plan will be achieved by focusing efforts and keeping long term objectives in clear sight.

Download the Worcester Economic Development Action Agenda: