Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | September 30, 2019 | Worcester Business Journal 5 B R I E FS Webster Five to move HQ to Auburn e financial institution Webster Five is leaving its headquarters in Webster and planning an extensive redesign of a former Reliant Medical Group facility aer purchasing the Auburn property for $2.75 million. e bank closed on the acquisition of 35 Millbury St. in September. e 41,065-square-foot facility was home to a Reliant Medi- cal Group location before the orga- nization opened a 69,000-square- foot space in the Auburn Mall earlier this year. "While Auburn is an ideal central location for its employees, Webster Five will remain deeply committed to its roots in Webster," said President and CEO Donald Doyle. Webster Five anticipates a move- in date in early 2021. e bank will consolidate three non-branch office locations in Webster, Auburn and Worcester. Red Cross to lay off 52 in Worcester, Springfield e American Red Cross is discon- tinuing community and mobile blood drives in Western and Central Massa- chusetts, resulting in the elimination of 52 jobs in Worcester and Springfield. e cuts are expected to take place by Nov. 8. e Red Cross said it needs to consolidate its operations in the area and become more efficient to deliver cost-effective and reliable products and services. TJX spends $120M on Framingham office Framingham retailer TJX Cos. has purchased a large office building near its Framingham headquarters for $120 million as it plans an expansion. e 450,000-square-foot building at 550 Cochituate Road is formerly owned by Westwood soware company MediTech. TJX spokesman Andrew Mastrange- lo said the company is planning office space to support its global growth and to accommodate a growing workforce in the corporate headquarters. Real Knowledge in Real Life WO R C E ST E R | F R A M I N G H A M | B O STO N | C A P E CO D FletcherTilton.com Dining Establishment? We Can Help Feed Your Success. Fletcher Tilton serves as counsel to more than 100 restaurants, breweries, pubs, and wine purveyors. We understand the demands, complexities, and requirements of running a business centered on food and drink, and the variety of challenges you face each day. Our experience allows us to help with everything from structuring new ventures and corporate formation, to commercial lending, real estate lease or purchase, permitting, workforce issues, and more. Every step of the way, our expertise remains on the table. Mark Donahue, Esq. Todd Brodeur, Esq. 508.459.8029 508.459.8038 Continued on Page 6 Donald Doyle, CEO, Webster Five Seize blighted properties The Worcester Redevelopment Authority has grown frustrated with the owners of the Great Wall building on Main Street and the Midtown Mall on Front Street, but both owners have recently said they are working to fix the buildings and join the downtown revitalization movement. When polled online, nearly two out of three WBJ readers said the time has come for the WRA to seize the properties. F L AS H P O L L Should the WRA pursue eminent domain of the Great Wall and Midtown Mall, even as owners say they are working to fix problems with the buildings? Comments Yes 63% No 37% "I hate to say it, but after years of safety issues [building and people and health], the owners had a responsibility. They were given may opportunities over many years." "Taking private property should be the very last resort. If they are working on it, let them be." "Definitely! They have had plenty of time, and both properties are a blight on our shiny new downtown."

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