Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor

Blackstone Canal District Initiative

The City recently received a $200,000 state grant to support an extensive feasibility study of the Blackstone Canal. The funding will allow the City to develop a comprehensive plan as to how Worcester can use the canal to impact the local economy. The feasibility study will focus on the potential for both restoration and replication of the canal; development of historical markings along the canal’s route; as well as the development of a Blackstone Canal Park strategically located along the canal bed. The study will also look at opportunities to use the canal as part of revitalization efforts in Quinsigamond Village, Green Island, behind Union Station along Harding Street, and possibly Thomas Street.

Northern Gateway Visitor Center

The goal of the project is to redevelop the historic Washburn-Moen Wireworks manufacturing building at 744 Millbury Street into a multi-use center. By 2004, the Mass. Highway Department is scheduled to put the demolition of the 11,000 square foot south wing of the building out to bid, leaving approximately 65,000 square feet for the multi-use center. The building will house a visitor center with tourist information, historical exhibits, and recreational amenities, as well as shops, a restaurant, and office space. Also scheduled by the end of 2004 is the complete demolition of the nearby Starr Scrap Metal building for reuse of the site as a Visitor Center parking lot and pedestrian area.

Quinsigamond Village Revitalization

The Quinsigamond Village Revitalization is a unique public/private partnership including the City administration, Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission, the Mass. Department of Environmental Management, and a range of historical, environmental, and neighborhood interests and organizations. The project is known as the Northern Gateway Project, the goal of which is to revitalize the Quinsigamond Village Neighborhood as the Northern Gateway to the Blackstone Valley by stimulating neighborhood economic revitalization, historic preservation, and environmental enhancement. Current project priorities include the Northern Gateway Visitor Center, the ongoing Quinsigamond Village visioning design/economic planning process, relocation of the historic Quinsigamond Baptist Church, biking and pedestrian trail projects, Blackstone Canal historic planning, and Route 146/Blackstone River project efforts.