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Post by gks on Mar 18, 2020 17:13:01 GMT -5
Polar Park construction is still on going. Steel started going up Monday.
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Post by Tom on Mar 19, 2020 7:54:29 GMT -5
Construction projects have been put on hold in the city of Boston. If current measures aren't doing the trick, not unreasonable to think stricter measures will be put in place across the state and country. With incubation periods of up to two weeks, it should take a certain amount of time before we know if it's helping. Lots of new cases every day, but these people might have been infected before the guidelines and are just becoming symptomatic now
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Post by longsuffering on Mar 19, 2020 11:17:49 GMT -5
City of Worcester is scrambling to make up projected budget shortfalls due to Coronavirus. Stadium deal could turn into a real boondoggle. At least HC pays for it's new buildings with mostly dedicated fundraising. The city borrows money to build. I wonder if the bondholders are protected by the full faith and credit of the city or only the revenue from the park tax district?
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Post by rf1 on Mar 19, 2020 12:27:15 GMT -5
The Boston Globe had an article just the other day about the potential the virus could have on construction in an already tight schedule. Could coronavirus delay the Pawsox' move to Worcester?www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/17/sports/could-coronavirus-delay-pawsox-move-worcester/There are more issues than just the possibility of shutting down construction. Getting building materials in a timely manner when needed might be an even bigger problem. The cost, already some $30M over the initial budget, could also rise exponentially. Construction schedule issues would be temporary and resolved in less than a year. The much bigger looming longer term issue will be the future development in and around the park that Worcester politicians promised would soon follow and generate new tax revenue streams that would more than pay off the $100M+ public taxpayer investment. Many had thought that getting the development that was required for this was already going to be a major task in a booming economy. A likely evolving economic downturn due to the COVID-19 virus however will very much hurt development prospects. Worcester politicians made a big gamble and city taxpayers may be left holding the bag if it does not pan out.
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Post by CHC8485 on Mar 19, 2020 13:03:53 GMT -5
On the other hand with construction shut down in Boston but still active in Worcester, you have a lot more trade workers available to, based on the latest pictures, build forms, pour concrete, etc.
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Post by hcgrad94 on Mar 19, 2020 19:40:20 GMT -5
If Polar Park isn't ready have to believe they would open the 2020 year at Fitton.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Mar 19, 2020 21:14:29 GMT -5
Having followed the construction progress and timelines of Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford, under normal circumstances, Polar Park would appear to be behind schedule baring 12 to 16 hour shifts. It would seem necessary to follow that aggressive schedule to meet the April 2021 deadline for completion. Stanford demolished and built a brand new 50,000 seat stadium in 2005-2006 in nine months using a 16 hour a day schedule, six days a week. The stadium was demolished following the Notre Dame game on Thanksgiving weekend in 2005, November 26, 2005 and was ready in September of 2006, for the Navy game on September 16, 2006. It was a week late in opening. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_Stadium
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Post by longsuffering on Mar 19, 2020 21:35:25 GMT -5
The Hart center arena and rink and Fitton Field baseball park and football stadium are looking pretty sensible right now.
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Post by Wormtown Railers Fan on Mar 20, 2020 10:07:56 GMT -5
Construction continued all winter and had no delays because of the weather. While some in this board are wishing for this project to fail, it won’t. This will be a major shot in the arm for the neighborhood for decades to come.
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Post by timholycross on Mar 20, 2020 10:53:51 GMT -5
WRF:
I didn't bump this up because I don't like the project and want it to fail- enough economic upheaval ocurring/going to occur without adding to that.
Better for friend and foe that it doesn't fail!
What it has going for it is that it already started; certainly projects that are not up to that stage are going to get delayed; in some cases permanently.
What is has going against it is the unknown.
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Post by rf1 on Mar 20, 2020 12:06:51 GMT -5
There is little question that Polar Park is going to get built given how far along it is. Getting it open for April 2021 was always going to be tough given the tight schedule. The COVID-19 virus will make that more difficult. The WooSox may need a temporary home for the early part of next season. That had always been a possibility even before the present health crisis.
The most troubling aspect of this project is probably more related to the ancillary development in and around the new park. Worcester politicians made promises that new tax revenues from this would more than cover the $100M+ public investment. Nearly all economists disagreed even when there was a booming economy. This pandemic could make it even more difficult as it may have a devastating effect on the US economy. Many are saying a recession is inevitable with others going so far as to say we could see another great depression as was the case in the 1930's. Scary times could be ahead. Businesses will likely not be making new large scale investments as they will be concentrating on getting their operations in order while also trying to make up for the financial hits taken during the crisis. This will likely very much hurt the needed development around the new Polar Park. I would expect that it will now take far longer before the area around the park is transformed. That in the short term will negatively impact the experience of going to games. Its greater long term significance though will be the delay in creating new tax revenue for the city to use to pay off its $100M+ investment. With the very optimistic revenue projections that politicians predicted likely being well short, it means that Worcester taxpayers will be on the hook to make up the difference. They, should things go south, ultimately will pay the steep price for the reckless gambling of Ed Augustus and the Worcester City Council. Far too much public money was put at risk for this project.
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Post by longsuffering on Mar 20, 2020 12:42:23 GMT -5
What Worcester doesn't need now is for two or three construction workers to test positive.
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Post by Tom on Apr 2, 2020 7:51:24 GMT -5
The city manager has ordered a halt to construction on Polar Park because of the pandemic.
I believe this only affects that project. Nothing about other non housing projects like the PAC or the new fieldhouse, so I assume they are not halted at this time
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Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Apr 2, 2020 9:16:53 GMT -5
Augustus only getting involved with city projects at the moment. He halted construction at the library as well, but work at South HS is continuing.
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Post by gks on Apr 2, 2020 9:19:13 GMT -5
Is it a state mandate for construction? As ACTP said there are projects that are exempt from temporary halt.
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Post by rf1 on Apr 2, 2020 10:02:02 GMT -5
The city manager has ordered a halt to construction on Polar Park because of the pandemic. I believe this only affects that project. Nothing about other non housing projects like the PAC or the new fieldhouse, so I assume they are not halted at this time City Manager Ed Augustus really had no part in this decision. It was stopped due to the Governor's revised guidelines on what is now considered "essential" construction. The Worcester Public Library project at Salem Square will also be halted, but the South High Community School project will continue, as construction for educational infrastructure is allowed under the governor’s guidelines.
The halt at Polar Park will minimally last until May 4th. The loss of four plus weeks likely means that the park will not open on time next year as the schedule had already been very tight without unplanned setbacks. As I mentioned above, this delay will probably be relatively short and be the least of the issues that the park and all the hoped for development around it will face. These other issues will last far longer and have a much bigger impact.
Meanwhile back in Pawtucket, the stadium which would have seen opening day on April 9th will sit shuttered for some time. One might even wonder if the PawSox perhaps already possibly played their last game ever at McCoy back on 09/02/2019.
Pandemic puts brakes on ‘non-essential’ construction sites, including Polar Parkwww.metrowestdailynews.com/news/20200401/pandemic-puts-brakes-on-non-essential-construction-sites-including-polar-park
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Post by Tom on Apr 2, 2020 10:04:19 GMT -5
Is it a state mandate for construction? As ACTP said there are projects that are exempt from temporary halt. The state has said that housing construction is essential because of a housing shortage. Since that is most construction those guys are sill going, but in all fairness I would think the PAC and fieldhouse are on fuzzy ground if still working
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 2, 2020 14:25:22 GMT -5
Is it a state mandate for construction? As ACTP said there are projects that are exempt from temporary halt. The state has said that housing construction is essential because of a housing shortage. Since that is most construction those guys are sill going, but in all fairness I would think the PAC and fieldhouse are on fuzzy ground if still working A performance center and recreation building located on the grounds of an educational facility is indeed fuzzy ground. Perhaps they are limiting work to what can be done by trades people who can work individually like painters and heavy equipment operators. This pandemic and subsequent tax drought will help redefine what is essential and what isn't for local government.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on May 12, 2020 15:20:51 GMT -5
Masslive reported on Sunday on re-starting construction on Polar Park. Polar Park will not be ready by the time the season opens next year, and one option being considered is to play early games at Hanover / Fitton.
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Post by timholycross on May 12, 2020 15:39:32 GMT -5
Masslive reported on Sunday on re-starting construction on Polar Park. Polar Park will not be ready by the time the season opens next year, and one option being considered is to play early games at Hanover / Fitton. I think the Paw/Woo Sox are better off drawing capacity (which is pretty small) crowds at Hanover/Fitton versus drawing the same number at McCoy. I'd be shocked if they'd sell any tickets down there unless they committed for another season; and even then there'd be a great deal of resentment. Would it work for Holy Cross, however?
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on May 12, 2020 15:45:12 GMT -5
Masslive reported on Sunday on re-starting construction on Polar Park. Polar Park will not be ready by the time the season opens next year, and one option being considered is to play early games at Hanover / Fitton. I think the Paw/Woo Sox are better off drawing capacity (which is pretty small) crowds at Hanover/Fitton versus drawing the same number at McCoy. I'd be shocked if they'd sell any tickets down there unless they committed for another season; and even then there'd be a great deal of resentment. Would it work for Holy Cross, however? If the new parking let that Fr. Borough's referenced as being under construction is the old HoJo's lot, that could favorably influence a decision to play at Fitton.
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Post by bfoley82 on May 12, 2020 16:19:58 GMT -5
Masslive reported on Sunday on re-starting construction on Polar Park. Polar Park will not be ready by the time the season opens next year, and one option being considered is to play early games at Hanover / Fitton. Got to think Fenway Park and Lowell (short season doesn't start till June and U-Mass Lowell is the only other client there) are better options for the Red Sox. They can likely fill the open dates at Fenway with games and a conflict would go to Lowell. They also can back end the schedule for 2021 somewhat.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on May 12, 2020 17:03:09 GMT -5
I think the Paw/Woo Sox are better off drawing capacity (which is pretty small) crowds at Hanover/Fitton versus drawing the same number at McCoy. I'd be shocked if they'd sell any tickets down there unless they committed for another season; and even then there'd be a great deal of resentment. Would it work for Holy Cross, however? If the new parking let that Fr. Borough's referenced as being under construction is the old HoJo's lot, that could favorably influence a decision to play at Fitton. I can't find a record in the minutes of the Worcester Conservation Commission for a wetlands-related permit for ANY new parking lot. Perhaps rather than a new lot, there is a project to reconfigure parking at an existing lot(s). That might not require review by the Conservation Commission.
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Post by Tom on May 15, 2020 8:11:52 GMT -5
I have not experienced it personally, but apparently the city of Worcester wants visitors from outside the area to have equal access to the new ball park. Most people from the greater Worcester area really had no problem navigating Kelley Sq. It's people not from the area who have all the issues.
To level the playing field, the city has taken one way streets Millbury St and Harding St south of the square and reversed direction. Harding St has always run through Kelley Sq as a one way street, but now it is one way north or one way south depending where on the street you are. The kidney shaped rotary (similar to the failed former version of Lincoln Sq) is also a mess according to some people who have been through it. Local people no longer have a home court advantage and are as confused about the new design as out of towners.
On a positive note, I know someone who works in a body shop that was laid off last week. Body shops are "essential" in the state of MA, but with so few people on the road, accidents are way down and there was no work. Hopefully the Kelley SQ redesign will help get auto body shop workers back to work.
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Post by alum on May 15, 2020 8:17:20 GMT -5
I have not experienced it personally, but apparently the city of Worcester wants visitors from outside the area to have equal access to the new ball park. Most people from the greater Worcester area really had no problem navigating Kelley Sq. It's people not from the area who have all the issues. To level the playing field, the city has taken one way streets Millbury St and Harding St south of the square and reversed direction. Harding St has always run through Kelley Sq as a one way street, but now it is one way north or one way south depending where on the street you are. The kidney shaped rotary (similar to the failed former version of Lincoln Sq) is also a mess according to some people who have been through it. Local people no longer have a home court advantage and are as confused about the new design as out of towners. On a positive note, I know someone who works in a body shop that was laid off last week. Body shops are "essential" in the state of MA, but with so few people on the road, accidents are way down and there was no work. Hopefully the Kelley SQ redesign will help get auto body shop workers back to work. Some auto insurers are reducing rates for the same reason.
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