Photo I Courtesy of State House News Service
Gov. Maura Healey
2 hours ago
State commits $25M to Worcester Auditorium redevelopment
Photo I Courtesy of Architectural Heritage Foundation
The Aud's central mural, painted by Leon Kroll between 1939 and 1941, measures approximately 60 x 30 feet.
After the project has been stuck in limbo, the Massachusetts state government has offered a $25-million boost to the efforts to redevelop the Worcester Memorial Auditorium.
The commitment to the revitalization project, which is expected to cost around $100-million, was announced by Gov. Maura Healey’s office on Wednesday. The funds will come as a matching commitment.
“Our administration wants to support this project and play a part in returning the Worcester Memorial Auditorium to its place as a vital cornerstone of Worcester’s civic and cultural identity, while honoring the veterans for whom it was originally built,” Healey said in the press release. “Our hope is that the state’s commitment to redeveloping this facility will spark others to step up and provide the full financing necessary to make this project a reality.”
Constructed in the 1930s in remembrance of Worcester residents who fought in World War I, the auditorium was once the city’s most prominent event venue, attracting acts which included Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones. The venue also served as the former home for games of the Holy Cross Crusaders men’s basketball team.
Redevelopment of the 2,000-seat, 165,000-square foot venue is being led by the Boston-based Architectural Heritage Foundation.
The projected operating costs of the facility are a major hurdle towards its redevelopment, Jake Sanders, project executive at Architectural Heritage Foundation and a past member of former City Manager Edward Augustus’ cabinet, told WBJ in December.
Jake Sanders, project executive at Architectural Heritage Foundation
Sanders said in December if historic tax credits for the site are approved, work could begin in 2026.
Worcester officials commended the state’s commitment of funds.
“This $25M match from the Healey-Driscoll Administration is a game changer for the redevelopment of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium,” City Manager Eric Batista said in the press release. “The Auditorium is a central piece of Worcester’s downtown and Lincoln Square, and we are thrilled to see funding come in to help restore the building to its full potential as a vibrant hub of economic vitality. We hope this funding will generate further interest in bringing this project to fruition.”
Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the manufacturing and real estate industries.
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