Climbing the Hill

1. Union Hill Neighborhood
Revitalization Initiative
City of Worcester, MA
Worcester City Hall
455 Main Street, 4th Floor, Worcester, MA 01608
Telephone: 508-799-1400 Fax: 508-799-1406
Email: development@worcesterma.gov1

2. Project Overview & Background
Presenter:
• Gregory Baker, Director of Neighborhood Development Division,
City of Worcester Executive Office of Economic Development
Union Hill Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative

3. Union Hill Neighborhood
Changes Over Time
3

4. The Area: Census Tract 7324
The Union Hill
Neighborhood roughly
refers to the area bound
by Vernon Hill, Winthrop
Street, Providence Street,
Harrison Street, and
Kelley Square. This area
falls within U.S. Census
Tract 7324.
4

5. Union Hill Neighborhood
Statistics at Project Start
*2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
Census Tract Demographics*
• Population: 6,645
• Median age: 29.8
• Unemployment rate ages 20-64 (22.1%)
• Median household income: $30,596 (City: $45,846)
• Median family income: $29,398 (City: $55,927)
• Persons in poverty (Past 12 months): 2,000 (30.1%)
School Statistics*
• Grafton Street Elementary School
– Low income students: 90.8%
– Students with free lunch: 85.5%
– Students with reduced lunch: 5.3%
• Union Hill Elementary School
– Low income students: 97.1%
– Students with free lunch: 95.8%
– Students with reduced lunch: 1.3%
• Worcester East Middle School
– Low income students: 89.9%
– Students with free lunch: 82.0%
– Students with reduced lunch: 8.0%
• North High School
– Low income students: 84.7%
– Students with free lunch: 79.0%
– Students with reduced lunch: 5.7%
– Graduation rate (2012): 57.3%
•Population 25 and over without a high school
diploma: 1,055 (27.1%)
* Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education, 2012-2013 Enrollment Figures
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6. Union Hill Neighborhood
Statistics at Project Start
Housing Statistics*
• Housing units: 2,603
• Occupied housing units: 2,275
• Owner occupied units: 697
• Renter occupied units: 1,578
• Median house value: $237,100
• Median gross rent: $1,089
• Houses built prior to 1939: 1,832 (70%)
Neighborhood Statistics
• Code Violations*
– Accumulation of trash: 225
– Illegal dumping: 57
• Public Safety*
– Total police incidences: 2,142
– Total of offenses: 2,415
– Ambulance calls: 307
– A&B’s (Assault & Battery): 58
– B&E’s (Breaking & Entering): 56
– Disorderly person’s: 150
– Domestic disputes: 147
* (Between Jan 1, 2012 - Jan 17, 2013)
*2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
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7. Build on Existing Strengths and Place
• Use natural topography & views of downtown to market new and improved housing
• Diversify ownership and rental demographic
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8. Build on Existing Strengths and Place
• Proximity and access to Canal District
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9. Build on Existing Strengths and Place
• Canal District’s recent investments and amenities
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10. Creating Place & Community Pride:
Harrison St. Gateway Opportunity
Views from Harrison St. in Canal District
Looking into Union Hill Neighborhood
(Opportunities for Gateway Public Art)
• Create noticeable gateway(s)-
landscaping, monuments, or public art
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11. Model Block Program:
Harrison St. & Providence St. Commercial Node
• Build off this natural intersection to create a distinct space with pedestrian amenities and
improved streetscape and eventual small-scale neighborhood commercial mix use
• Can the building on the right have a mural placed on it with community input/support or have
the blank brick façade activated?
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12. Model Block Program:
Harrison St. Neighborhood Commercial Node
• Create a distinct space with pedestrian amenities and improved streetscape
• Promote neighborhood commercial scaled development
12

13. Model Block Program:
Harrison St. & Providence St. Commercial Node
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• Explore potential mural concepts
• Make it community based to stop
tagging and instill pride and ownership

14. Stimulate Public Art & Community Pride
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• Start early with accessible “wins” for community based public art
• Mural project with Union Hill Elementary School & Worcester Academy Art Departments

15. Neighborhood Development
Strategies
1. Focused Sub-Area Investment
• Incremental, focused approach to revitalization
• “Model Block” Program
• Leverage existing investments and resources
• Stimulate private 3rd party investment
• Build off proximity to recent investments in Canal District and views of downtown
• Create an attractive/noticeable gateway into the community
2. Focus on Key Interventions & Coordination:
• Public safety
• Housing improvement and development
• Remediation of littered or underutilized land
• Repair and enhancement of streets and sidewalks
• Community building and involvement
• Create a smaller cabinet/department group to move all the above forward
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16. Neighborhood Development
Strategies
3. Engage Partners to Make a Better, Lasting Impact
• Engage key stakeholders and institutions
• Build productive and positive relations with existing homeowners and residents
• Work with the local Community Development Corporation (CDC)
16

17. Sub Area 1
Sub Area 2
Assess Existing Conditions & Prioritize

18. Assess Existing Conditions & Prioritize
Sub Area 1
Sub Area 2
Public Infrastructure
Street Lights
Street Lights
(Obstructing Overgrowth)
Poor Street Condition

19. Repair and Maintain
Public Infrastructure
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• Conducted comprehensive survey of existing conditions
• Examples of poor sidewalks, streets, potholes, overgrowth on lights and utilities, eroded ADA
curb cuts, etc. in Union Hill

20. Sub Area 1
Sub Area 2
Housing Exterior Condition
Vacant
Below Avg
Average
Above Average
Assess Existing Conditions & Prioritize

21. Quarter mile radius from Oak Hill CDC City Wide
Multi-family listings: 18
Average living area/square feet: 3,514.56
Average list $: $157,467
Average list $/square feet: $47
Average days on market: 95.50
Average sales $: $148,228
Average sales $/square feet: $45
Multi-family listings: 300
Average living area/square feet:3,284.53
Average list $: $167,317
Average list $/square feet: $54
Average days on market: 87.60
Average sales $: $161,476
Average sales $/square feet: $52
Union Hill Neighborhood
Housing Market Analysis Snapshot at Project Start
6-15-12 through 6-25-13 (1 Year)

22. Housing Redevelopment & Strategies
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• Tap into existing programs:
• Lead abatement
• Receivership
• HOME
• CDBG
• Concentrated Code Enforcement- “Neighborhood Sweeps”
• Develop “new” strategies and learn from other communities:
• Look to Worcester Academy’s revolving loan fund and/or
establish new ones
• Explore modular housing options
• Change existing codes, zoning, policy to be creative / effective
• Develop new funding sources and lenders
• Learn from Boston’s “3D” or similar programs
• Look to Mass Housing’s mortgage products

23. Interdepartmental Coordination Proposed Actions
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• Police Department:
• Implement foot patrols
• Implement community engagement tactics and attend and report out at
neighborhood watch meetings
• Convene a summer “crime summit”
• Begin tracking key indicators and relate results
• Inspectional Services and Fire Department:
• Conduct Fire Code Inspection Sweeps (Along with Inspectional Services)
• Conduct Fire Prevention Education Presentations (Union Hill Elementary and
Worcester East Middle)
• Conduct Fire Prevention Outreach/Mailings to Union Hill Residents
• Conduct Inspections of Target Properties

24. Interdepartmental Coordination Proposed Actions
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• Public Works and Parks:
• Fill Potholes
• Re-Paint Fire Hydrants
• Re-Paint Crosswalks on major intersections
• Repave streets
• Implement new or fix existing ADA compliant curb cuts
• Cut Overgrowth Vegetation on Sidewalks
• Cut Overgrowth Vegetation Around Street Lights
• Conduct concentrated illegal dumping pick up and prevention efforts
• Determine feasibility of larger scale streetscape improvements in conjunction
with Economic Development

25. Interdepartmental Coordination Proposed Actions
25
• Economic Development:
• Develop housing strategies:
• Support existing owners in improving their properties
• Bring in new, responsible homeowners
• Revitalize and encourage infill development where appropriate
• Reach out to partners such as Worcester Academy and develop
complementary revitalization / redevelopment strategies
• Coordinate with Worcester Business Redevelopment Corporation on an Action
Plan
• Implement applicable and feasible business assistance programs such as
façade improvement or loans
• Identify and program funds for efforts such as YR 39 and YR 40 CDBG,
Neighborhood Stabilization Opportunity Funds
• Coordinate key aspects of housing, inspectional services, and streetscape
improvements and interventions

26. Union Hill Investments Completed or Programmed
Public Health & Safety: $909,220
• WPD Community Policing District enacted in 2013
• Crime Surveillance Technology: Shot Spotter implemented and Security Cameras planned
• Comprehensive Health Impact Assessment completed
• School Health Partnerships: community gardens, playground joint use agreements, “Safe Routes
to School” and walkability audits underway, initiatives for education on access to healthy foods
Total Investments Completed, Underway or Programmed: $ 3.8 Million
Housing & Code Enforcement: $1,273,612
• 9 owner-occupied homes on Providence & Harrison to receive CDBG funded rehabs in 2015
• 5 new units of housing (rental and condo) on Arlington & Aetna Streets planned
• 13 housing units receiving Worcester Energy Retrofit Rebates
• 995 housing units received code inspections through 6 “Neighborhood Sweeps” since 2013
Streets & Sidewalks: $1,660,000
• Harrison and Providence Streets planned for Spring 2015: repaving, new and enhanced sidewalks,
street trees, enhanced crosswalks, and curb extensions
• Aetna Street planned for Spring 2015: repaving, new sidewalks, possible new sidewalk on south side
and retaining wall
• Additional 1- 2 streets projects to be determined for Spring to Fall 2015
• Additional funds reserved for further street enhancements over 2 year period
City Investment & Actions Overview 2013 - 2014

27. Next Steps and Lessons Learned
Advice & “Lessons Learned”
• Ensure you have support and “champions” for initiative at all levels
• The Union Hill effort is strongly supported by the Mayor and City Manager
• Involve the community early and often
• You cannot coordinate enough
• Celebrate wins wherever possible
• Be careful not to raise expectations too high
Next Steps
• Begin partnerships that stimulate larger, private investment
• Work with landlords and “investor owners” in neighborhood
• Explore transferability of model to other areas and neighborhoods
• Begin changing dated policies and regulations to stimulate and promote
development and redevelopment

28. Union Hill Neighborhood
Revitalization Strategy
Streetscape Improvements
Presenter:
• Stephen Rolle, PE, Asst. Chief Development Officer for Planning & Regulatory Services,
City of Worcester Executive Office of Economic Development

29. Why Incorporate Streetscape Improvements?
• Improve aesthetics and quality of the public realm
• Demonstrate that the community is invested in the neighborhood
• Improve attractiveness of neighborhood
• Establish a physical environment that supports healthier living
• Increase quality and condition of pedestrian facilities
• Incorporate pedestrian safety enhancements
• Reduce speeding

30. Roles & Responsibilities
• Executive Office of Economic
Development
• Concept development and
conceptual design
• Neighborhood and institutional
coordination
• Department of Public Works
and Parks
• Final design
• Construction

31. Challenges Faced
• Short timeframe for concept development
• Design challenges
• Neighborhood concerns regarding parking impacts
• Lack of familiarity with traffic calming and pedestrian
environment improvements
• Traffic management during construction

32. Project Elements
• Replace existing sidewalks with concrete sidewalks
• Uniform design elements incorporated throughout
• Brick banding
• Enhanced crosswalks
• Curb extensions
• Formalize curb cuts, on-street parking
• Street trees

33. Providence Street
Before
• Poor sidewalk conditions with
mix of materials
• Not ADA compliant
• Poor crosswalk visibility
• Poor pavement condition
• Wide intersection

34. Providence Street
After
• New concrete sidewalks
• ADA compliant
• New pavement surface
• Curb extension (far side of
intersection)
• Crosswalks (not yet striped in
photo)

35. Providence Street
Before
• Sidewalk at different grade
than street
• Sidewalk in poor condition
• Not ADA compliant
• Poor crosswalk visibility
• Wide crossing on Providence
Street
• Landscape strip asphalted
over.

36. Providence Street
After
• Sidewalk at grade with street
• New concrete sidewalks
• ADA compliant
• Good crosswalk visibility
• Curb extension reduces width
of Providence Street crossing
• Landscape strip replaced with
tree wells

37. Providence Street
Before
• Poor sidewalk conditions
• Not ADA compliant
• Landscape strip asphalted
over.

38. Providence Street
After
• New concrete sidewalks
• ADA compliant
• Curb extension (far side of
intersection)
• Narrow landscape strip
replaced with street tree wells

39. Harrison Street
Before
• Asphalt sidewalk
• Poorly defined curb cuts
• No street trees

40. Harrison Street
After
• New concrete sidewalks
• Well defined driveway curb
cuts
• Street tree wells (not yet
planted)

41. Harrison Street
Before
• No driveway curb cut
• Fire hydrant impeding
driveway

42. Harrison Street
After
• Well defined driveway curb
cut
• Fire hydrant relocated

43. Harrison Street
Before
• Poor sidewalk conditions with
mix of materials
• Not ADA compliant
• Poor crosswalk visibility
• Poor pavement condition
• Wide intersection

44. Harrison Street
After
• New concrete sidewalks
• ADA compliant
• New pavement surface
• Curb extension (far side of
intersection)
• Crosswalks (not yet striped in
photo)

45. Union Hill Neighborhood
Revitalization Strategy
Concentrated Code Enforcement
Presenter:
• Amanda Wilson, Director of Housing and Health Inspections Division
City of Worcester Department of Inspectional Services

46. Concentrated Code Enforcement
City of Worcester Department of Inspectional Services
• “Neighborhood Sweeps”
 Teams with a Housing Inspector, Police Officer, Fire
Prevention, Lead Inspector
 Objective- concentrated, door-to-door, floor to floor
inspections
 Engage the residents and homeowners

47. Concentrated Code Enforcement
Conducted Several Phased Inspections Resulting In:
 1051 properties inspected
 403 enforcement orders issued
 522 violations identified and corrected

48. Concentrated Code Enforcement
BEFORE
Fox Street property
AFTER
Peeling paint, rotting soffits New Siding Applied

49. Concentrated Code Enforcement
Foreclosures in Union Hill 2013 / 2014

50. Union Hill Neighborhood
Revitalization Strategy
Housing Development
Presenters:
• Jim Brooks, Healthy Homes Program Manager, Housing Development Division
City of Worcester Executive Office of Economic Development
• Kristina Kilday, Architect, Office of the City Architect
City of Worcester Department of Public Works & Parks

51. Housing
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Housing Assistance Priorities
Using HUD funding to address Housing Priorities
Code/Safety/Health vs. Aesthetics/Historic
Slum & Blight Designation vs. Low/Mod Benefit
Model Block Approach
1. Community Meeting for Owner Occupied Residents
60-70 People in attendance
35 Pre Applications
2. Housing Quality Survey of 35 Pre-Applications
3. Each properties priorities based upon HQS and HHRS including dollar values

52. Housing
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Typical Project Profile
Property Value $190,000
Amount Owed $208,000
Median Income
Average Building Age
Average Funding Amount
Top Issues included in Rehabilitation
1. Heating Systems
2. Roofs
3. Porches
4. Siding
5. Fencing

53. Housing
53
Funding Sources
Community Development Block Grant
1. Slum & Blight Designated area
a. Code Issues
b. Mass Chapter 139
2. Low/Moderate Income Benefit
a. More Flexible
b. Hard to get tenants cooperation

54. Housing
54
Demolition of 86 Providence- Slum & Blight removal

55. Housing
55
Neighborhood Architectural Precedent

56. Housing
56
Designs
61 Harrison Street

57. Housing
57
Designs
67 Harrison Street

58. Housing
58
Designs
67 Providence Street

59. Housing
59
Designs
68 Providence Street

60. Housing
60
Designs
86 Providence Street

61. Housing
61
Designs
86 Providence Street

62. Housing
62
Material Selections
Native Plants Durable Materials

63. Housing
63
Material Selections
Thoughtful Details Historic Paint Colors

64. Housing
64
Next Steps
1. Continue Owner Occupied Rehab in Subarea 1
(4 projects in development)
2. Start Owner Occupied Rehab into Subarea 2
3. Develop a non-owner occupied rehab program for Subarea 1

65. Union Hill Neighborhood
Revitalization Strategy
Residential Design Guidelines
Presenter:
• Hoamy Tran, Planning Analyst,
Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC)

66. CMRPC Role and Process
• RPA for City of Worcester and 39 surrounding communities in Central Mass
• District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) Funding 2015
• Site visit to Union Hill and neighborhoods with similar layout patterns including
Main South in Worcester
• Community outreach and meetings with Project Committee and others for input
o Sally Zimmerman, Historic New England
o Doug Quattrochi, Worcester Property Owners Association (WPOA)
o Nader Djafari, MaxMia Properties, LLC
o Frank Callahan, Worcester Academy
• Research existing design guidelines, models, and best practices

67. Historical Context
Providence St. Historic District
Dexter Hall, Worcester Academy
A synagogue converted to
apartments, formerly the
Shaarai Torah Synagogue East
• Union Hill neighborhood platted out in 1836
• Worcester Academy
• George Crompton, Crompton Loom Works
• Industrial Revolution
• Building Codes

68. Union Hill Neighborhood Design Guidelines

69. Features of Three-Decker Housing
Three-Decker Defining Features, adapted from A Pattern Book of Boston Houses (1977)

70. Typical Three-Decker Architectural Styles
Italianate Stick Queen Anne
Colonial Revival Gambrel Craftsman

71. Design Guidelines: Overview
• 10 Design Elements
• Foundation
• Siding
• Roofs
• Windows and Doors
• Front Steps
• Porches
• Fences
• Retaining Walls
• Landscaping
• “Other Elements” i.e. satellite dishes, mailboxes, external wiring
• Discouraged vs. Preferred Characteristics, Materials, Styles, etc.
• Definitions
• Key features
• Illustrations and graphics

72. Design Elements
Foundation
• Stone, concrete, or brick; basement or
crawlspace; and foot piers with diamond
or square lattice skirting
• Painted brick and cinderblock
Siding
• Clapboard , cedar shingles, banded
siding, and transitional strips
• Asphalt, stucco, vertical siding, wood covered in
impervious material
Roofs
• Decorative cornice, eave, fascia, and
soffit; asphalt, tile, concrete, wood
(cedar), and metal shingles roof
coverings
• Replacing deteriorating slate,
wooden, or tile with asphalt
Windows and Doors
• Column lines and bays; exposed
window trim; recessed doorway,
accent colors
• Screen doors, tinted/bronzed
windows, security bars, and
plastic coverings

73. Design Elements
Front Steps
• Wood, wrought iron handrails,
projecting steps with wide landing
• Vinyl, pre-cast concrete, and unpainted pressure
treated wood; polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) hand railings
Porches
• Open porches, painted cedar, lathe cut
railing; molding and cornice
• Fully enclosed; vinyl, aluminum, or unpainted wood;
missing posts or handrails,
Retaining Walls
• Stone and brick uniform in size, pattern,
color, and shape; flat top surface
• Cinder blocks and precast concrete walls, wood
Fences
• Aluminum metal, painted cedar or
pressure treated lumber, “picket” style
• Stockade/privacy and chain link

74. Design Elements
Landscaping
• Hedgerow, native plants, sustainable
nutrient application, low- impact
development (LID)
• Shrubbery outgrowth, front lawn parking and
pavement, impermeable surface removal
Other Elements
• Limited satellite dishes; screened utility
and mechanical equipment, adequate
conduit system, uniformed multi-family
unit mailboxes
• Satellite dishes and AC units on front façade, exposed
wiring, missing address plaques

75. Design Guidelines: Next Steps
• Project Committee edits/feedback and finalize document
• Hold a community meeting
o Locals, property owners, developers, City officials, etc.
o Discuss and review for public input
• Coordinate with City/Project Committee on Implementation Plan
o Zoning Ordinance