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AbbVie campus expansion approved: new 3‑story building and pedestrian improvements at 100 Research Drive
Summary
The board approved a definitive site plan for a roughly 40,000–55,000 sq. ft. three-story building and circulation improvements at AbbVie's Research Drive campus, including a consolidated pedestrian corridor, expanded amenity spaces and stormwater BMPs; approval is subject to staff conditions and DPW details.
The Worcester Planning Board on Aug. 13 unanimously approved a definitive site plan for a new three‑story building on AbbVie’s campus at 100 Research Drive, a project the applicant said will add warehouse and amenity/flex space and consolidate pedestrian circulation between the employee parking lot and the main research building.
Robert Phillips of Langan Engineering described a roughly 2-acre project site within the company’s roughly 30-acre campus. The proposal calls for a three-story building of approximately 40,000–55,000 gross square feet (applicant materials and staff memos cite slightly different square-foot figures), with first-floor warehouse/storage, second-floor dining and amenity space, and third-floor flexible space that can accommodate future expansion. The plan does not add new parking stalls; the campus currently has more parking than required and retains an excess of spaces.
Site changes include relocation/realignment of a campus circulation drive (Research Drive) through an existing parking aisle to separate truck movements from passenger vehicles, an approximately 100-foot fire-access lane developed with the fire department, consolidated pedestrian collector pathways, outdoor amenity plazas, and stormwater best management practices: sizable underground infiltration basins, a rain garden, permeable pavers and mechanical separators for water quality. The applicant told the board the drainage design follows conservative NOAA rainfall values and Massachusetts stormwater standards.
Planning staff requested conditions addressing roof design (solar-ready or white reflective roof), updated photometrics, screening for roof-mounted mechanicals, updated stormwater documentation, additional landscaping (including extra trees along Belmont Street), replacement of dead/poor interior parking-lot trees, some ADA sidewalk improvements on-site and at least one dual-head EV charger at occupancy. DPW stated its standard utility and construction detail comments and had no unresolved objections. The applicant confirmed it will manage a gated emergency access with on-site security; the gate is intended for emergency and operational needs, not regular public access.
Representatives from the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives testified in support, citing job creation, workforce partnerships and the city's life‑science strategy.
The Planning Board voted to approve the definitive site plan subject to the staff recommended conditions on pages 2–4 of the staff memo. Board members praised the pedestrian improvements and the retention of the pedestrian connection to Belmont Street.
Next steps: the applicant must supply revised photometric, stormwater and construction details and satisfy DPW standard details. Staff also requested additional tree plantings and at least one dual-head EV charger at occupancy.
