Commission grants retroactive demo-delay waiver for Midtown Mall sign at 17 Mechanic Street

At the June 5 meeting, the Worcester Historical Commission granted a retroactive demolition-delay waiver for a sign removed from 17 Mechanic Street, the Midtown Mall location. Chair Diane Long read the motion that the removal and planned replacement with like materials would “not be detrimental to the historical or architectural resources of the city of Worcester,” and members approved the waiver by roll call vote.

Kayla Melvin, a representative of Northeast Properties, told the commission the sign had come down after a bracket and portions of the mounting rotted. “A portion of the sign fell, so we made the executive decision to remove the sign to prevent any future parts of the sign from falling,” Melvin said. She said the property owner intends to reinstall the same sign using the same materials and estimated the new sign would be installed within “the next 60 to 90 days” while they wait for the graphic design to be completed.

The commission opened the item to public comment, heard none, and then voted to close public comment and approve the retroactive waiver. Staff noted the item was treated like any other demolition-delay case and that administrative paperwork would follow.