Developers buy up empty Worcester Canal District lots from Wyman-Gordon for $1.035 million near Polar Park

Three developers in Worcester’s Canal District have purchased lots from Wyman-Gordon, the company which earlier this year officially sold land for the Polar Park stadium and surrounding development.
 
Canal District Parking LLC, comprised of Crompton Place owner Dino Lorusso, Canal District developer Ed Murphy and Worcester Public Market owner Allen Fletcher, purchased lots at 9 Landgon St. and 156 Washington St. from Wyman-Gordon for $1.035 million, according to Murphy and land records.
 
The Canal District, including an expansive swath of abandoned Wyman-Gordon lots, have been the subject of major redevelopment plans in the last year as the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox announced the team would be moving from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to Worcester.

Earlier this summer, the developers started a shuttle service and to maintain parking for employees and customers of local businesses as construction on the baseball stadium begins, eating up a large parking lot.
 
The lot will be under construction for the forthcoming Worcester Red Sox ballpark.
 
Murphy said the group wanted the lots to secure parking in the neighborhood and does not have any immediate plans to use the land otherwise.
 
The 156 Washington St. lot has been used for parking since last month.
 
“As soon it was announced where the baseball team was going, Dino obviously was losing parking so the search at that point started for additional parking,” Murphy said.
 
Having Canal District employees park in those lots will free up street spots for people visiting the neighborhood to shop and eat, Murphy said.
 
The $240 million project including Polar Park and its surrounding development has put eyes on real estate in Worcester, especially the Canal District.
 
Earlier this year, Wyman-Gordon sold 18 acres to Denis Dowdle of Madison Downtown Holdings, who planning about 250 residents, a 500-plus space parking garage, an office building overlooking the ballpark, two hotels and retail and restaurant space.
 
Wyman-Gordon sold those acres for $6.1 million, according to land records.
 
Illustration of Polar Park
Wyman-Gordon sells land for Worcester Red Sox ballpark project to Madison Downtown Holdings for $6.1 million
 
The property was sold to Madison Downtown Holdings, the Boston company that is redeveloping the industrial site with plans, two hotels, retail space and apartments.
 
Last month, the Worcester Red Sox and city officials broke ground on the project, starting the construction of the ballpark, slated to cost upwards of $86 million.
 
An opening is planned for 2021.
 
On Wednesday, the first major demolition happened on the site.