Main South CDC
Worcester
In 2000, Main South CDC, along with Clark University and the Worcester Boys and Girls Club, was ready to implement the first phase of the ambitious Kilby, Gardner, Hammond (KGH) Revitalization Plan.
The KGH neighborhood consisted of 30 acres of old, distressed and vacant residential and industrial properties. This plan involved a number of goals including the construction of a new Boys and Girls Club, creation of athletic facilities and the rehabilitation or construction of 75-100 housing units.
At that time, Main South was poised to acquire 7.5 acres of property including two large, vacant industrial buildings which ultimately would become the site of the Boys and Girls Club and playing fields. The Life Initiative, after meeting Steve Teasdale, the Executive Director of the CDC, Clark and City officials, began to understand the vision that Main South CDC and its partners had for the KGH neighborhood. The revitalization project and its goals of better housing, strong community services, commitment to youth and a safe, vibrant community matched exactly the overall goals of TLI.
Our first loan, in 2000, to Main South CDC allowed the CDC to acquire that 7.5 acre site and began a ten-year relationship between Main South and TLI. Since that time, TLI has provided financing for the Center for Revitalization, the multi-service center that coordinates a broad range of community programs from first-time homebuyer classes to employment skill training, and a line of credit for acquisition and rehab and construction of properties throughout the KGH neighborhood.
In 2006, Main South CDC began to explore the revitalization of an industrial block immediately adjacent to the KGH project area and the newly constructed Boys and Girls Club. The first step in the overall redevelopment was the acquisition of 93 Grand Street, a 120,000 square foot vacant mill building. Because of its longstanding relationship with Main South and its understanding of the CDC’s and City’s commitment to the redevelopment plan, TLI was able to provide acquisition financing to allow Main South to continue to revitalize its neighborhoods.