Worcester Common Ground

Worcester Common Ground, Inc. - Target Area

Our target area, which we refer to as the Greater Piedmont Area, encompasses three Census tracts, 7314, 7315 and 7316 within the City of Worcester (see map below). These tracts are generally bound by Salisbury Street on the north, Main Street on the east, May Street on the south and Park Avenue on the west. The Greater Piedmont Neighborhoods consist of several neighborhoods with distinct identities that abut and at times overlap each other. The most organized neighborhoods are Elm Park, Piedmont, Crown Hill, and Castle Street. The concentration of WCG development activity is in tracts 7314 and 7315. These neighborhoods extend from Pleasant Street south to May Street and present the most severe conditions of disinvestment, blight and urban decay. An owner-occupancy rate of 11% and the high level of absentee landlords reinforce these conditions.

WCG's target population comprises residents from low-income households in these three census tracts. Main South is often thought to be the poorest and most distressed section of Worcester, but census data reveals that the area served by WCG is the poorest in the city. Based on 1990 Census Data, the median household income in Piedmont was $12,301, which was 42% of the city Median of $28,955. One third of Piedmont households receive some sort of public assistance. A single parent, compared with 30% single parent households citywide, headed 54% of Piedmont households.

1990 Population and Income Characteristics
Tract	7314	7315	7316	Target Total
Persons	4,803	4,825	7,213	16,841
Households	1,724	2,001	2,508	6,233
Median Household Income	12,255	12,341	22,961	---------
Per Capita Income	7,093	8,310	11,037	9,130



	Target Area Assets and Opportunities
	Location The target area has a close proximity to downtown and lies in the path of the West Side. These two economic centers are connected by five major thoroughfares that define the target area: May Street, Chandler Street, Pleasant Street, Elm Street, and Salisbury Street. These commercial corridors provide potential for economic development that can draw on the economic vitality of the West Side as well as the regional economy. The neighborhood character that is present in the side streets combined with its proximity to downtown and other services represent the potential for highly desirable residential development. Architecture/Build Environment The residential streetscape is made up primarily of two and three family homes. Historically these were neighborhoods inhabited by middle and lower middle class working families. This architecture lends itself to economically feasible homeownership development targeted to the same economic groups that these properties were designed for. There are also certain underutilized commercial properties in sections reserved for light industrial use. They represent potential development opportunities to capture some of the expanding businesses that are leaving the city for locations in the suburbs. Institutional Presence There are several major institutions with an interest in neighborhoods stabilization. We have learned through our experience with the YMCA of Greater Worcester that there is a real interest in establishing effective partnerships to achieve certain community development goals. There are two colleges in the target area, Becker College and WPI. The Cathedral for the Archdiocese of Boston is located within the target area as well as the Central offices of the School Department, UMass Memorial, Health and Family Services and Community Healthlink.