Congressman Jim McGovern, along with officials from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation(DCR), the Massachusetts Department of Transportation(DOT), the Federal Highway Administration, the City of Worcester, the College of the Holy Cross, and Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor today announced several major elements of a coordinated effort to develop Worcester's Blackstone Gateway Park and Visitor Center.
"The Blackstone Gateway Visitor Center, including the Park, bikeways, new sidewalks, and the Quinsigamond Bike Spur, are a signature project for the City of Worcester and Central Massachusetts," said Congressman Jim McGovern. "The tireless dedication of the Quinsigamond Village residents has made this project a reality, and I know that it will serve as a catalyst for future economic development in this vital gateway to the city."
Massachuchetts DCR and Massachusetts DOT have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will lead to the construction of the Blackstone Gateway Visitor Center, a full service, multi-use facility, featuring a welcoming area, historic and cultural exhibits, a theater, restroom facilities, an adjacent passive recreation lawn, and office, classroom and meeting space. The Visitor Center will also serve as the new home for the Massachusetts DCR Central Regional Office. It is estimated the Visitor Center and related projects will bring in nearly $14 million in initial investment from federal, state, local, and non-profits partners, including an immediate $5.5 million in federal funding.
The Visitor Center will be adjacent to an enhanced Blackstone Gateway Park and Middle River Park. The surrounding park will provide recreational and educational opportunities by way of trails, boardwalks, observational platforms, interpretive signage and kiosks, and paths with connectivity to the Blackstone River Bikeway. Other stakeholders in the project include the Worcester Historical Museum, Massachusetts Audubon Society, and Quinsigamond Village residents.
The Visitor Center will be staffed by a newly hired Project Coordinator, Devon Kurtz, hired in partnership with the College of the Holy Cross and the Blackstone Heritage Corridor. A Worcester resident, Mr. Kurtz's background includes 6 years as the Director of Education at the Higgins Armory Museum, and nearly 10 years as the Education Coordinator at Old Sturbridge Village. He will work hand in hand with Holy Cross, as well as the National Park Service, City and State officials and local residents and businesses to shepherd design and development of the Visitor Center, the adjacent Park, river access at the headwaters of the Blackstone River, Blackstone River Bike path developments and related activity in the area.
Also announced on Thursday by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation was a new $1.5 million federally funded Quinsigamond Village Bikeway, which will connect the project to the Blackstone River Bikeway. The Quinsigamond Village Bikeway is expected to begin construction later in 2014.
The City of Worcester will also begin construction of new sidewalks on McKeon Road with $1.17 million in federal funding, ensuring easier pedestrian access between College Hill, Quinsigamond Village, and Worcester's Blackstone Gateway Park.