Worcester mayor’s walk shows off Canal District, flowing with commerce and promise

WORCESTER - Conceived as an idea in Three G’s Sportsbar on Millbury Street some 25 years ago by a group of local business owners and stakeholders, the Canal District is now flourishing into one of the more energetic and thriving commercial districts in the city.
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An area that used to be known more for its vacant buildings, empty storefronts and crime problems, the Canal District today is riding the wave of a revival that has brought new life to that part of the city in the form of new businesses and a lot more foot traffic.

Property owners have spruced up the appearance of their buildings through the city’s facade improvement program, while the city has made a significant investment as well, using federal dollars obtained by U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, to make a number of sidewalk and street improvements.

“There’s a lot of good things happening here,” said Mayor Joseph M. Petty during a walking tour he led through the Canal District Tuesday afternoon. “This area is really taking off by itself. It isn’t because of government but rather because of the private investments that have been made by the business owners here. When you look at all the investment they have made, they certainly deserve a lot of the credit for what is happening here.”