Minority Firms Got About 1% Of Polar Park Contracts: Report

WORCESTER, MA — Less than 1 percent of construction contracts related to the Worcester Red Sox Polar Park project went to either women or minority-owned firms, a GBH investigation has found.

GBH reported Thursday that the city of Worcester and Polar Park construction manager Gilbane-Hunt had said 17 percent of contracts went to women or minority-owned companies. But the station discovered many of those contracts did not actually meet that standard.

GBH estimated only about $1 million in contracts went to women or minority-owned firms, but likely less than that. Rhode Island-based Gilbane-Hunt reported about $6.4 billion in revenue in 2019, according to Providence Business News.

At nearly $157 million between land acquisition and construction costs, Polar Park is the most expensive minor league stadium ever built. Construction began in July 2019, and the stadium is set to open in May with the Worcester Red Sox home opener.

Related: Worcester OKs $14M Loan For Polar Park Cost Overruns