WORCESTER, MA MASSDEVELOPMENT TRANSFORMATIVE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

DEVELOPMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY

MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) is a redevelopment program for Gateway Cities designed to enhance local public-private engagement and community identity; stimulate an improved quality of life for local residents; and spur increased investment and economic activity. TDI focuses on linking and leveraging these investments by supporting additional investment and assistance in strategic districts to create momentum. The initiative is rooted in three principles: local collaborative partnerships, strategic district focus, and community engagement.

Urban Focus® with CivicMoxie and Karl Seidman Consulting were retained by MassDevelopment (Massachusetts Development Finance Agency) to work with the public sector in Worcester, MA. The scope of work included placemaking, ground floor retail recruitment and development feasibility analysis for multiple downtown sites. The ultimate goal of this effort is to spur the vitality of the downtown core and reinforce the momentum already under way.  Urban Focus® led the focused development feasibility analysis for multiple sites as well as providing overall recommendations on attracting developers to the area through incentives and funding mechanisms.  Initially working with the large client team to develop a set of criteria for evaluating and prioritizing the sites, ultimately Urban Focus®  developed preliminary programs and financial feasibility studies for three of the most challenging properties in the downtown core.  We worked closely with Karl Seidman to determine potential markets for each site and provide guidance for next steps to encourage development across the downtown core.