Worcester Redevelopment Authority

Timothy McGourthy, Chief Executive Officer

The Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA) is a corporate and politic body, established by the City of Worcester and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under former Massachusetts General Laws (“MGL”) Chapter 121, Section 2600, the predecessor to the present MGL Chapter 121B, Section 4 (Chapter 121 was recodified in 1969 as Chapter 121B).  The WRA has the powers of an “operating agency” under Section 11 of Chapter 121B and additional powers as an “urban renewal agency” under sections 9 and 45 to 57 of the same chapter.  The broad development capabilities of the WRA include the power to engage in “urban renewal projects” and other projects, the power to buy and sell property, the power to acquire property through eminent domain, and the power to designate projects under MGL Chapter 121A. 

Composition

The Authority is made up of  five (5) members, four (4) of which are selected by the City Manager and one (1) of which is appointed by the Director of the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

Its current members include:

Jack Donahue, Chair

Robert Diaz, Secretary

Robert Thomas

Dick Eid

 

The WRA is staffed by the City of Worcester, with the Chief Development Officer serving as the Chief Executive Officer, supported by staff from the City Solicitor’s Office, the Budget Office, the Department of Public Works and Parks, and the Executive Office of Economic Development.

Urban Renewal Projects

Over the years, the WRA has been involved in six urban renewal projects in the City of Worcester, including:

• Area D Urban Renewal Project, Mass. R-15
• Elm Park Urban Renewal Project, Mass. R-57
• Expressway Urban Renewal Project, Mass. R-16
• New Salem Urban Renewal Project, Mass. R-5-1
• Medical City Urban Renewal Project (formerly East Central Urban Renewal Plan)
• Union Station Urban Revitalization Plan

More Information

For further information, please contact Jane Bresnahan of the Economic Development Division at 508-799-1400, extension 249.