Worcester Owns Parcels Under Proposed 13-Story Mixed-Use Building

WORCESTER, MA — A developer wants to build a 13-story mixed use building on almost an entire block along Green Street next to Polar Park — but records show many of the properties underneath the proposed Canal District development are still owned by Worcester and other entities.

Developers with the firm Gold Block Real Estate — which shares a manager with the developer Churchill James — in January began publicizing plans to redevelop the Green Street block between Gold and Plymouth streets. But it wasn't until April that more details about the project were released ahead of a May 5 Planning Board meeting.

The proposed development, called The Cove, would tower over Polar Park's right field and bring an estimated 318 units of market-rate housing to the Canal District, plus retail and restaurant space. To complete the project, the developer will have to amass seven separate properties.

In 2020, the developer made two key purchases along the block, paying $200,000 in August to acquire a lot at 103 Green St., and in December paying $900,000 for 89 Green St. — the building that used to house The Lucky Dog Music Hall and The Cove. Another building in the block, 99 Green St., which contains a jewelry store, is still owned by a private trust, according to property records.

The block contains four other properties: 2 Plymouth St., 85 Green St., and 7 and 5 Gold St. All four are owned by the Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA), which took them through eminent domain for the construction of Polar Park.

In 2019, the WRA took the four properties — plus 90 Washington St. and 8 Gold St. — in a $5.8 million eminent domain settlement with the property owners. The WRA still owns those properties today. It's unclear how much the city paid for each property in the six-parcel deal. Reached by phone, one of the property owners involved in the settlement declined to say how much he received from the city.

In March 2020, Worcester officials told the Telegram & Gazette that Churchill James was going to buy 2 Plymouth, 85 Green and 5, 7 and 8 Gold streets for $3 million. That deal was supposed to allow Worcester to recoup costs related to the $5.8 million eminent domain settlement. A city spokesperson said this week Churchill James had not yet purchased the properties.

Demolition permits have already been issued for some buildings on the block, including 85 Green at the corner of Plymouth and Green streets.

The Worcester Planning Board will review and discuss The Cove site plan beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.