Polar Park

Epsilon led the environmental permitting for the new ballpark, infrastructure, and the proposed surrounding mixed-use development including office, commercial, hotel, and residential uses. Completing the permitting quickly was critically important to enable the City and developer to begin construction early enough to meet the Worcester Red Sox goal of being able to start the 2021 season in their new park.

Epsilon’s planning staff led the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) effort, filing a Notice of Project Change to the City's Urban Renewal Plan and Draft and Final Environmental Impact Reports for the project. In fact, we completed the entire MEPA process in under nine months. The EIRs addressed the issues of traffic, greenhouse gas emissions, stormwater, water and sewer, and hazardous materials, and required close coordination among the City, the developer, and numerous members of the project team.

This unique redevelopment project is a public-private partnership among the Red Sox, the City of Worcester, and a private developer - Madison Downtown Holdings, LLC. The new ballpark will be the centerpiece of a larger mixed-use redevelopment that includes office, hotel, residential, retail, and restaurant use. The state is contributing to infrastructure improvements around the park, including the reconstruction of Kelley Square, one of the Commonwealth's most problematic intersections.

Epsilon is truly excited to be a part of such a significant project for the City of Worcester and the Commonwealth. Play Ball!