Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area Proposal

March 1, 2005

The Worcester East Side CDC is the Community Based Development Organization that will coordinate and implement the proposed NRSA program.

The Worcester East Side CDC has:

• programs in affordable housing development, housing counseling, youth employment, business assistance and development, neighborhood outreach and community events sponsorship.

The CBDO Qualifications Survey from Appendix 1 is attached.

The strategy area is bounded on the north by the Burncoat St./Lincoln St. split, on the south by Lincoln Square, on the west by Route 290, and on the east by Green Hill Park.  The main commercial corridor is a shorter, concentrated span of Lincoln St., bounded on the north by the Burncoat St./Lincoln St. split and on the south by Sturgis St.  A map of the proposed area is enclosed.

As indicated both in the RKG study and in the published 2000 U.S. Census data, which lists the qualifying census tracts, the residential population in the identified area is predominantly low-income.  The RKG study also identifies the need for increased home ownership opportunities in this sub-market to reverse the decline that had been occurring.

The CDC has continually sought community input through its outreach with residents and businesses throughout the area.  Neighborhood and business associations regularly bring together varied populations that express their concerns and priorities.  The CDC always uses the information gathered from these meetings to direct the focus of its programs.

The ComNet project administered through the Worcester Regional Research Bureau has been ongoing in this strategy area for the past five years.  It has been a successful tool to identify the assets of the area, the priorities of the community and the issues and concerns to be addressed.  It has monitored progress over these years and continually reviewed and renewed its findings with updated information.  Much of these results have been at the base of planning for this proposal.

Partners for this initiative included:

• UMass Memorial Health Care
• Genesis Club, Inc.
• Center for Women & Enterprise
• Worcester Art Museum
• Sprinkler Factory Building
• Y.O.U., Inc.
• Worcester Artist Group
• Mass. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
• Worcester Community Action Council
• Brittan Square Neighborhood Association
• Harlow Street Magnet School
• Belmont Street Community School
• City View School
• Worcester Regional Environmental Council
• Bell Hill Neighborhood Association
• Local businesses

The CDC has focused its research, outreach and planning efforts in this neighborhood with a new focus on strategy areas.  Through regular contact with UMass Memorial Health Care, Genesis Club, Inc., various neighborhood associations, small businesses, tenants of the Sprinkler Factory Building and key community leaders, there has been an ongoing dialogue to identify the neighborhood’s assets, to prioritize the community’s needs and to formulate the strategies that will have the maximum positive impact for the area.  This broad mixture of stakeholders has been enlisted to ensure that an inclusive range of perspectives and ideas are brought to the forefront throughout the process.

The CDC will remain the conduit for the planning and implementation of these strategies. The collaborative nature of this endeavor, coupled with the potential for major improvements for the residents and businesses of the area, are the key to sustained involvement throughout the four-year plan.  Tangible results in housing, business development, job training and employment opportunities will demonstrate the power of this initiative and the strength of each individual member’s participation.

The CDC has always been a leader in its ability to collaborate on all levels.  The mission and success of the organization have centered on this principle.  Many of the identified partners have been working with the CDC on various issues for several years.  This initiative is not so much new as it is an expansion of much that is already in place.  The CDC is confident that those who become involved will remain committed throughout the entire program.