Housing Expansion Greenlit for West Boylston St Corridor.

WORCESTER — While much of the city’s development focus has been on the downtown core, the “North Woo” (Sector 4) is quietly becoming Worcester’s most active residential frontier. Following last night’s meeting (Wednesday, Jan 7), the Worcester Planning Board has clarified the vision for a more densely populated Greendale.

New Units on the Horizon

The Board reviewed approvals aimed at transforming underutilized commercial land into housing.

• The West Boylston Corridor: Developers are utilizing the Commercial Corridor Overlay District (CCOD) to propose new townhouse-style units near the Andover Street intersection. The goal is to turn aging strip-mall lots into mixed-use residential zones.
• Infrastructure Check: A major condition of approval involved strictly adhering to the city’s Green Worcester Sustainability Plan, specifically regarding stormwater runoff on the steep grades of the North End.

The Greendale Context

This residential push complements the massive commercial shift at the former mall site. With the Greendale Revitalization effectively turning the area into a logistics and biotech hub, the demand for local workforce housing is at an all-time high.

Next Up: The Worcester School Committee meets tonight (Thursday, Jan 8) at 5:30 PM. On the agenda is a MassGrad grant acceptance specifically for North High School, reinforcing the investment in Sector 4’s youth.

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About The Author

Jerry Filmore

Jerry Filmore is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of What’s Up Worcester News, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization community news outlet dedicated to informing, engaging, and empowering Worcester through accessible, accurate, and inclusive storytelling. With over a decade of experience in management, community organizing, and media production, Jerry leads with a passion for amplifying local voices and spotlighting the people, places, and stories that make Worcester Massachusetts thrive.
When he’s not producing new shows or organizing community initiatives like Woo CommuniTree or Worcester Voices: Community Awards & Celebration Night, you can find Jerry collaborating with local creatives, mentoring young reporters, and continuing to build bridges across Worcester’s neighborhoods.

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