Effort to turn The Bridge community center into 21 apartments clears zoning hurdle
Photo | Google Maps
Formerly known as The Bridge, the building at 300 Southbridge Street was approved to be rezoned in an effort to redevelop it into residential space.
Boston-based Dalfior Development Inc. presented plans on Wednesday to redevelop the former The Bridge Academy and Community Center into a 21-unit residential space, and successfully obtained a recommendation for rezoning from the Worcester Planning Board in a 2-1 vote.
The 27,200-square-foot building at 300 Southbridge St. is assessed at $470,900 by the City of Worcester.
The building used to house The Bridge, a community center for arts and a variety of other youth and business programming, but it closed in July after a fundraising effort didn't sway the building owner -- the trustees of the Thelma Talbert estate -- from moving forward with Dalfior's housing plans.
The rezoning would extend the adaptive reuse overlay district, which currently covers neighboring properties on Gold Street, to include 300 Southbridge St. The AROD designation is typically used to redevelop underutilized and vacant buildings, according to historic preservation nonprofit Preservation Massachusetts.
Dalfior plans to rehabilitate the building and has applied for historical tax credits to do so, said Todd Brodeur, a lawyer representing the company, at the planning board meeting.
The developer intends to keep Miss Worcester Diner, which is included in the parcel, according to Brodeur. Along with the 21 proposed units of housing, there will be some commercial space and indoor and outdoor parking.
After public comment from one individual in favor of rezoning and two against, the planning board voted 2 to 1, with board member Edward Moynihan voting no.
“When folks talk about the community, I think that’s important," Moynihan said.
The proposal to rezone will now move to Worcester City Council.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments