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Council approves vacating 500‑foot segment of Progress Drive to facilitate private development
Summary
Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2026‑13 to vacate roughly 500 feet of Progress Drive at the request of adjacent property owners; a business owner said the change clears the way for an imminent warehouse project and the abutting owners will assume maintenance.
Worcester City Council on Monday adopted an ordinance vacating about 500 feet of Progress Drive after a public hearing and testimony from a business owner who said the vacation is needed to finalize plans for an impending warehouse construction.
The petition followed the city’s public‑notice requirements. Staff explained that to vacate the street the council must find there is no public purpose for the roadway segment and confirm that all abutting property owners concur. A business owner who said he owns the adjoining parcels told council the road was always intended to dead‑end and that transferring responsibility will simplify the development plan; he also said the property owners would assume maintenance and utilities would retain easement rights.
Why it matters: Street vacations transfer maintenance responsibility to adjacent owners and remove the segment from city maintenance schedules, often simplifying private development plans. The council suspended the rules and adopted Ordinance 2026‑13; one councilmember (Jose) recused from the vote, and the motion passed with the remaining members voting yes.
Next steps: The ordinance will be recorded and property owners will assume maintenance responsibilities; utilities will retain rights‑of‑way as needed.
