Worcester's Midtown Mall plans inch ahead with rooftop lounge, glass facade
Photo | Grant Welker
The Midtown Mall in Worcester
Plans to redevelop downtown Worcester's Midtown Mall are moving ahead with two letters-of-intent with potential tenants and talks with others, the developer told the Worcester Redevelopment Authority on Friday.
Felicio Lana, who bought the troubled building at 22 Front St. in May 2019, said he is in talks to attract a first-floor market and a rooftop lounge, and is looking to attract two other major tenants. A procedural delay meant to help protect older buildings has passed, allowing Lana to move ahead with plans to renovate the building's exterior with a planned glass facade. Permitting for other design work remains pending.
Lana has butted heads with members of the redevelopment authority who have expressed frustration with a lack of updates on progress on the site, which has long been eyed by city officials as a development priority immediately across from City Hall. City officials have considered using eminent domain to take the site, including since Lana bought it.
Vincent Pedone, the authority board's chairman, said Friday he's had doubts about Lana's abilities to carry out the redevelopment since he bought the site. Lana's adjacent buildings to Midtown Mall were the subject of 24 code complaints or alleged violations in the five years before he bought the Midtown Mall.
Lana repeatedly said he didn't foresee any challenges in the project moving forward. Lana said he's been aggressive in pursuing tenants, has made interior improvements and is waiting to do more thorough renovations until securing new businesses.
"More than anyone had ever done at that place in 40 years. Forty years of just disintegrating," Lana said. "I've put in nothing but hard work."
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