Submitted by HRJafael t3_z7b3ku in WorcesterMA
Comments
28Widget t1_iy5x8z3 wrote
Agreed - both in Worcester and out. Fast trains to Boston and Springfield. In crazy fantasyland to NYC, Philly, and DC too.
HRJafael OP t1_iy5yh5f wrote
Speaking of fantasyland: do you think there is room for another form of connection after updating the current commuter rail? What if Worcester was connected by a tram line (kind of like the Mattapan line) that connected either to Forest Hills or Boston College on the MBTA's Green Line?
the_sky_god15 t1_iy61kjg wrote
That would be like a 4 hour trip. Transit higeratchy is important. Instead let’s run our own light rail routes to the suburbs.
HRJafael OP t1_iy639ja wrote
Do you mean making Worcester another hub? I can see that. Right now everything reroutes through Boston so I wouldn't mind if Worcester had its own little network
the_sky_god15 t1_iy94w7z wrote
Basically what I’d wanna see is something like the t to bring people into worcester from the suburbs. Ideally, these lines would have a number of places to transfer between eachother and the busses with all lines meeting at union station where you can transfer to fast and frequent electrified regional rail to Boston, Springfield, RI and CT.
NativeMasshole t1_iy6dht1 wrote
That's what I was thinking. Get people off the roads. It's the only way Worcester is going to be able to keep growing. We need to be able to get people into, out of, and around the city without adding to the congestion.
SmartSherbet t1_iy832c6 wrote
I think such a network could have the following as its core lines:
- Worcester to Providence, stopping in Millbury, Sutton, and a couple RI towns along the way
- Worcester to Marlborough, tracking 290 to give those commuters another option
- Worcester to Fitchburg, with stops in West Boylston and Leominster
[deleted] t1_iy6egps wrote
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Robespierrexvii t1_iy8a35w wrote
Going off of this just like...usable sidewalks. There are so many that just end or have trees growing through them and are all but unusable. For runners like me this is incredibly frustrating. I can't even imagine how someone with mobility issues gets around in this town.
Devastator5042 t1_iy5wsox wrote
I'll piggyback this, better infrastructure in general narrow the streets in the downtown, allow for more walking and curbside events.
Also I'd kill for a Mass Transit system that isnt a bus but it's not economical for Worcester
saintmusty t1_iy93j7z wrote
Who says public services are supposed to be economical?
Kirbyoto t1_iy5ye0n wrote
Having driven recently in Providence, Springfield and Boston, I'll say Worcester's driving is way above average. Only one major highway going through it without all the insane loops and lane switches of the highways in those other places.
NativeMasshole t1_iy6dut3 wrote
Which also makes it difficult to drive across quickly and adds to surface street congestion. I'm not sure most people would list lack of highway access as a good thing.
Kirbyoto t1_iy8ebxp wrote
>Which also makes it difficult to drive across quickly
Good. It's easier and safer to drive more slowly instead of plowing along at 65mph and then having to switch lanes to get off the highway on one of eight thousand looping exits. And we have a blessedly low number of stroads in the city itself.
NativeMasshole t1_iy8flmx wrote
That's completely false. It's actually statistically safe to drive on highways, since everyone is driving in the same direction.
Kirbyoto t1_iy8h4yg wrote
If you're just driving straight it's fine. The problem comes when you have to swerve across traffic at high speed to get into the right lane, which is common in Providence, Springfield and Boston. In fact if you think "driving in the same direction" automatically provides good results I suggest you go check out the Saugus-Peabody section of Route 1.
New-Vegetable-1274 t1_iydik9x wrote
I agree. The problem with most of the highways in New England is that they were built in the 1950s and 60s. They were built for 50s and 60s traffic, it was a time when most households only had one car. The number of cars has increased exponentially and these highways are woefully inadequate. It is difficult to retrofit these highways and so the answer is better mass transit or highway expansion that would mean bulldozing enormous swaths of land currently occupied by businesses and housing. That would take decades and in the meantime create a far worse traffic situation. I think the case for better mass transit is beyond argument. There are thousands of miles of abandoned rail beds throughout New England alone. There's something like sixty thousand miles nationally.
draken2019 t1_iy85tat wrote
100% agree.
The public transportation services sucks in Worcester. Trains are so much better at what they do than buses.
masshole4life t1_iy96q1g wrote
bring back trollies on wide main roads and use the leftover buses to service neglected pockets of the city.
akintosomethingnew t1_iy67gwh wrote
Do a little "big dig". Drop 290 underground from the Worcester side of lake Quinsig through to Auburn. Build green spaces above with walkable / bikeable friendly small business shopping with mixed use restaurant / activity / artist spaces.
Edit. If possible : reopen the Blackstone canal from underground to add some visible water running through the city.
HappyExperience9788 t1_iy6fo1t wrote
This is a good idea man dam you should be a project manager or developer with that type of idea.
operator_1337 t1_iy6tptz wrote
That would be a nightmare to keep the tunnels from flooding, like a massive engineering feat, even bigger than the big dig. Worcester is half built into the side of a mountain, and the other half is in a flood zone at the bottom of that mountain, which is heavily controlled by canals, levees and a massive city wide storm water drainage system. ( I mean we have a whole section of Worcester called the canal district, and we are not near any major rivers or the ocean lol)
I mean if we get 2inches of rain in an hour, most of Worcester turns up flash flooded. Now think about being 12ft underground lol
invalid404 t1_iy7dwy2 wrote
The big dig put tunnels under the ocean. I think they can manage to put a tunnel under Worcester. But it would be cost prohibitive.
operator_1337 t1_iy80abr wrote
Oceans are a lot easier to manage than underground aquifers. The only time oceans become an issue is during storm surge. Boston also had more up to date levies and canals which helped make the big dig possible.
Your looking at a 100 billion dollar project if Worcester wanted to do that. Not to mention around hundreds of millions a year to maintain it into the future.
I'd rather we spend that money on public transportation, than try to fix the massive problem that is the personal automobile. We all don't need vehicles.
Eve617 t1_iy8pads wrote
I was coming here to say this exact thing. Dropping 290 underground would be so beneficial for the city that is currently bisected by this road. It would open up the city, provide the space for buses, trains, bike lanes, leisure activities just like it did in Boston. Dropping route 93 underground in Boston made it into a world-class city connecting the waterfront to downtown.
post_singularity t1_iy6l4rb wrote
It wouldn’t be little that’s a long stretch and would be just as big and costly as the actual big dig, one of the largest public works projects ever, yeah Worcester isn’t getting that kind of funding not to mention it would take 20 years and tie up Worcester with constant construction that entire time. Then it will leak and ceiling tiles will fall and kill people.
UsernamesAreHard26 t1_iy938wl wrote
Wasn’t the Big Dig the most expensive highway project in the entire country and generally regarded as one of the most mismanaged projects in the state?
ToniBroos t1_iy6jiy0 wrote
Municipal fiber optic internet
D_is_for_Doomsayer t1_iy8u92k wrote
This was my pick as well, but it's hard to argue with transportation.
UsernamesAreHard26 t1_iy92vfq wrote
Totally agree
Kirbyoto t1_iy5y5d8 wrote
Mandatory sidewalks on every road.
neilkelly t1_iy6dv6q wrote
Only if you also add serious enforcement of the existing snow removal ordinance.
SmartSherbet t1_iy83ggp wrote
Better yet, municipal sidewalk snow removal (done by the city with municipally owned equipment, not contracted to whatever local doofus has a pickup truck and wants easy money).
jeepjockey52 t1_iy5pmav wrote
Monorail
NativeMasshole t1_iy5qzzo wrote
Nah, that's really more of a Shelbyville idea.
redbicycleblues t1_iy6av8d wrote
But Main Street’s still all cracked and broken!
StilesDavis t1_iy741xj wrote
Sorry mom, the mob has spoken.
NovelNo87 t1_iy88lbw wrote
The Simpsons already predicted that it won’t work.
HappyExperience9788 t1_iy6jrsw wrote
How about a gondola rail system we can ride around in the sky and have a nice view actually that might not be a bad idea.
Donebrach t1_iy5zvsa wrote
Cog railways up and down the hills! But for serious: high-speed regular rail service to Boston. Hate having to get up at 5 to catch the 1 express train into the city.
guybehindawall t1_iy6oxn5 wrote
Build an apartment tower on the lot across from the Palladium. Put a supermarket on the ground floor then make it the tallest building in the city.
rcl20 t1_iy692h8 wrote
A robust, high quality, free or subsidized early childhood program infrastructure. It would change the long-term outcomes for all the citizens of Worcester.
lukewarm_sax t1_iy6jhct wrote
Subway or tram system throughout Worcester and bordering towns is my absolute dream (I literally sometimes when I'm bored draw over maps of what a system might look like). The fact that the city is so dependent on cars is becoming ridiculous. They want to build denser and denser downtown but can't accommodate the number of cars that want to park. There are other cities of similar size (both physically and in population density) in both the US and across Europe that have decent public transit systems, and it's just so sane.
Seconding bike infrastructure like someone else said. Not just this painted lines on the roads bullshit either. Widen those sideways European style, baby!!!!
OH, would also love a high speed passenger train that goes directly to Providence from Worcester. Could you imagine how powerful it would be if we had a triangle of culture if there was transportation between Worcester/Boston/Providence???
Wouldn't also mind a high speed train that goes directly to NYC, as I'm trying to get more gig work down there. And not one that that stops in Springfield and you have to switch trains like it is now with Amtrak. I've done the ORH -> JFK flight a few times, and while I love how fast I can get to New York, I feel awful for my carbon footprint from it, and I'm sick of taking Greyhounds back and forth.
New-Vegetable-1274 t1_iydkinq wrote
"Could you imagine how powerful it would be if we had a triangle of culture if there was transportation between Worcester/Boston/Providence???" This was actually a thing in the 19th century with the Blackstone Canal and rail between Worcester and Boston. Worcester was once considered a port.
Ahkhira t1_iy5u2ud wrote
Bicycle infrastructure.
More secure bike lanes, secure parking, better bike to bus and bike to rail.
mikeyp83 t1_iy67k5k wrote
Better public transportation, absolutely.
But also, I haven't been back in a couple of years, but has anything been done with the Auditorium yet?
With all of the great revitalizations that have happened over the past several years, I'd love to see the day comes when Worcester is able to provide the night life experience that Boston notoriously lacks.
Apprehensive-Mode-45 t1_iy69hun wrote
This came out in the paper in September:
But not sure if the plan is totally confirmed. The building is wonderful, it really deserves revitalization, but I have very mixed feelings about this idea.
mikeyp83 t1_iy6egqq wrote
I hope something good happens with it.
In the early 2000s we did some volunteer work to help clean up the inside and some spots were already in rough shape then. At that time there were plans being discussed to move the juvenile court in there but I'm glad it didn't happen because as it was described to me it would have gutted most of what was interesting and in my opinion irreplaceable.
If I had my millions I would love to make it a pet project. With buildings like that, once they are gone, there is nothing like them that would ever replace them.
manchman10 t1_iy66u60 wrote
A former resident, a while back, found out the elementary schools don’t have libraries, so she organized a drive at one school to get it built. I don’t think anyone ever took the model an finished the project.
SmartSherbet t1_iy839jm wrote
TIL that our elementary schools don't have libraries. Every day I learn something new about how much key infrastructure Worcester lacks. It's sad.
outb0undflight t1_iy88vzt wrote
A lot of them don't have their own libraries but Worcester Public has branches in a lot of the bigger schools (Roosevelt, Goddard, Burncoat, and Tatnuck) and I know there's been talk about putting them in a few more. Whether anything will ever come of that is a different story.
That being said, yeah, schools should have their own libraries.
HighVulgarian t1_iy5oxax wrote
A minor league baseball stadium. Oh wait, that would destroy local businesses
Kirbyoto t1_iy5y3ig wrote
>Oh wait, that would destroy local businesses
It's not exactly statistical data but it seems like I'm seeing "local business shutting down" pretty much every week in the T&G and at least one of them blamed the stadium for taking away parking.
Also, the reason people complain about stadiums is that the city spends a lot of money for a structure owned by private citizens in the hopes that the structure will pay itself back - which it often doesn't.
themassman_2020 t1_iy84qpv wrote
I live close with my own parking, so I am fortunate. But I have seen the city has built several parking garages. Have these helped at all? If price is an issue, maybe allowing for the first hour or so to be free would encourage folks to use (for quick shopping, bite to eat, etc)?
Notfromcorporate t1_iy8chhy wrote
Those businesses were never going to last.
Plenty of people find parking down there during the games and it’s never an issue. There’s several garage and lots, plus street parking.
It’s just an undesirable area with not much to offer. Places have shit hours and poor management. Doesn’t help that a lot of the places down there thrive on the college party scene and cater towards that.
There’s also several new places going into the recently closed restaurants.
Realistically, that area needs something that will draw people every day, not just game days.
Ahkhira t1_iy5uek5 wrote
I miss a certain local music spot that disappeared in the wake of a minor league stadium. I want it back.
outb0undflight t1_iy897f7 wrote
I miss a certain dive bar that disappeared in the wake of a minor league stadium. Fuck, now what was it called...
[deleted] t1_iy871yr wrote
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BloodySaxon t1_iy633r4 wrote
Absolute nonsense.
Liqmadique t1_iy75500 wrote
Not built, but I'd ditch the city-council system for a strong mayor system. City council doesn't work well for the size of Worcester.
themassman_2020 t1_iy84bm8 wrote
I think you mean we should ditch the city manager form of government? I agree. While generally I think a professional manager form of government works well, I think our city council, past and present, has not taken it seriously and installed their own without regard for an actual process. A strong mayor-council form is well overdue.
tocsin1990 t1_iy7l18c wrote
I came in originally to say affordable housing, because gentrification is by far the #1 issue facing the city, but the people saying transportation infrastructure have a great point. It's counterproductive to try to fit even more people into the city that really can't support the population it has now, and providing more efficient transportation methods to use would help to alleviate that issue.
NovelNo87 t1_iy89x3c wrote
We need more housing just for the people already living here.
BedazzledBritAccent t1_iy5uh0f wrote
Don't know if paint counts as building but painting bus lanes on Main St from Webster Sq to at least Chandler, maybe all the way to highland st. That would be pretty cool.
SmartSherbet t1_iy83bkz wrote
Let's go one better and have separated bus lanes with signal priority.
Ron-Ruger t1_iy654wm wrote
Direct rail line to Logan airports terminals.
draken2019 t1_iy86ql9 wrote
So we can make Boston even more accessible.
No thank you.
petertheo89 t1_iy8efpg wrote
Yes, we all hate Boston and many of us left Boston for Worcester because we hate Boston so much. Point taken.
With that said, Worcester doesn't have the economy to support its current population, access to more jobs is a top priority, and not only that but let's say you decrease the train ride from Worcester to Boston to 1 hour. That's going to make Worcester a very reasonable destination for many more people to consider living here, bring in tax dollars, etc.
draken2019 t1_iy9k4zm wrote
I don't hate Boston at all.
I hate spending my money to help improve infrastructure that predominantly benefits them.
My car insurance rates are already inflated because I'm cost sharing with Boston drivers.
Ron-Ruger t1_iy87leg wrote
So you like driving to Logan, and paying a fortune to park? Seriously whatever
draken2019 t1_iy9kbl8 wrote
Nope. I actually plan my trip using the MBTA line like a reasonable person.
tinymsv t1_iy6cb0m wrote
More sidewalks
Capable_Couple8328 t1_iy62e7o wrote
Can we just get a decent gym?
The_Mahk t1_iy6e70w wrote
What kind of gym are you looking for?
HappyExperience9788 t1_iy6hswg wrote
Crunch fitness off of grafton st is not too bad they just built that place during the pandemic go check it out that place is great.
OtterlyFoxy t1_iy6czt0 wrote
Faster commuter rail to Boston. Worcester would be able to feed off of Boston really well if possible
JoshSidekick t1_iy6ew3t wrote
Body cams for cops, internet, pave a road every now and then.
masshole4life t1_iy9abb5 wrote
first let's focus on not digging up the roads we do pave 5 months later to fix something that was brought to attention before the project started.
this city makes no effort to advertise ways to bring things to attention, so it's mostly grouchy cranks with dpw on speeddial complaining about things.
New-Vegetable-1274 t1_iydly5k wrote
This seems to be a New England thing and it's been going on forever. We put up with never ending road work for three seasons every year. The odd stretches of smooth new pavement suddenly become new construction sites for laying pipe that could have been laid the last time the road was dug up. It's a scam, what else could it be?
darksideofthemoon131 t1_iy5s8eh wrote
On and off ramps from the towns surrounding the city to any main highway as well as a direct road into the west side/tatnuck area. Cut down on secondary traffic in morning and night.
That airport road would've been a godsend for today's city. It's too bad the nixed it.
Dwm182 t1_iy68grw wrote
A mobile guillotine that can make appearances at farmers markets and private events (i.e. kid birthday party, corporate retreats, sweet 16s, etc)
HappyExperience9788 t1_iy6f4cc wrote
Fix the Downtown area please put some nice clothing stores so it doesn't look like a ghost town.Better night clubs and more activities at night also extend the night life like other city's allow the night clubs to stay open longer like to four or five in the morning on the weekends.
katpadthai t1_iy6pkwj wrote
Frequently re-paved and/or better engineered roads. Co-sign on public transport and high speed rail lines.
RunDaJewelz t1_iy8ztd8 wrote
A stronger appreciation for the local unions. I’m an electrician and we scratch tooth and nail to get local jobs. We are locals the company I work for is based in worcester and has been for almost 100 years. I’ve live in the city my whole life I own a home in the city I pay taxes here yet I have to travel to Boston to work while the city gives tax breaks to company’s who bring in Subs from New Hampshire.I know we get a bad name for being lazy or over paid which both are further from the truth. So let’s support the local trade unions the nurse/teachers/ police and fire. I’ll never understand why fighting for better working conditions for all is such a bad thing!
About_Yeah_High t1_iy63nhj wrote
Confidence in city management and policing. Tall order, I know.
katpadthai t1_iy6q6ek wrote
Betters arts, restaurants, waste management, maybe another hospital network. Worcester has so many universities, it’s clear that alumni do not stay. So perhaps development, investments from large employers or those in a growing industry
OkAddendum2684 t1_iy5v0hb wrote
Fix 290
naturebiddie t1_iy60fwq wrote
somewhere to park so we can enjoy the canal district again 🥲
SmartSherbet t1_iy83kie wrote
take the bus, it's free!
HappyExperience9788 t1_iy6gqwk wrote
Midtown mall got a nice make over they just need some good stores to move in.Worcester definitely looks alot better than it did ten yrs ago.
themassman_2020 t1_iy84y23 wrote
All of the storefronts seem to say “leased” but I haven’t seen much action.. hopefully soon!
DarthMortum t1_iy6vt7l wrote
A High-speed rail network to NYC and other major surrounding cities will be a game changer.
CoolAbdul t1_iy87qmm wrote
candlepins alley
hajaco92 t1_iy8a8en wrote
Well-lit sidewalks and bike paths.
Ok-Grand-1882 t1_iy8r827 wrote
Bicycle infrastructure.
basilblueberry t1_iy926lb wrote
I would like more Aldi stores in lower income areas in Worcester, and cheap grocery stores in general. Price Chopper is okay, but apparently there used to be an Aldi on Webster, would be a game changer for me. Going to Lincoln is a hassle.
Turbulent_Leg6503 t1_iy955ru wrote
Community edible gardens
crusader8888 t1_iy5omlf wrote
A couple high rises, not like the 5-7 story ones, but big ones for housing. Plus it makes a better skyline!
slopezski t1_iy60pjo wrote
That would never happen? A subway system to go along with improved regional train systems.
nato_fl t1_iy6bbr6 wrote
Get rid of Casella
CatumEntanglement t1_iy6dqob wrote
Municipal utilities, like high speed internet. Because fuck comcast.
Junior-Arrival6299 t1_iy716fj wrote
Comcast? do you mean spectrum?
guybehindawall t1_iy7wdpe wrote
Fuck em both tbh
CatumEntanglement t1_iy96qko wrote
They've merged right?
CoolAbdul t1_iy88ds9 wrote
A film school
lukewarm_sax t1_iydlid0 wrote
With the amount of film projects shooting in the city these days, it actually would be beneficial to have training for people to be able to become PA’s on locally shot projects
taterpilled t1_iy8z7zr wrote
more apartments
stuffed-ham t1_iy9iffk wrote
Dedicated nightlife, because there are so many college students
eastcross t1_iy7wjoo wrote
Better North-South roadways Decongest the 290 crossing choke points through the city.
CoolAbdul t1_iy888h4 wrote
Xi'an Famous Foods
CoolAbdul t1_iy88brg wrote
A local home brewing store
abnormalbrain t1_iyb2e46 wrote
This question implies that the city isn't perfect. I'm calling the police on you. And you heard how they are
Strange_N_Sorcerous t1_iy6aqz7 wrote
Minor league ballpark! JKLOL
Realestateisaac t1_iy61out wrote
A high class luxury downtown casino inside a skyscraper bigger than encore that you can see from 20 miles away.
The tax revenue, the tourism, and improving the city skyline all in one.
NovelNo87 t1_iy8a2h8 wrote
Wait, Encore is high class? I usually just go in wearing jeans and sneakers lol.
meangen36 t1_iy61470 wrote
These are great suggestions! I was just thinking a Dave and Busters or a Cheesecake Factory would be pretty cool
guybehindawall t1_iy6oe5a wrote
Ew.
meangen36 t1_iyacefs wrote
Well, the Mercantile and Ruth Chris’s will be closed within the next year, we need alternatives.
guybehindawall t1_iyag6sc wrote
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Kinda doubt that, but
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In the event that they do, everyone can just go back to supporting locally owned restaurants before they all close, too.
NativeMasshole t1_iy5pesy wrote
Transportation infrastructure. Right now cars are the best way to get around the city, and even driving around sucks ass.