Worcester Business Journal

8 Worcester Business Journal | April 27, 2020 | wbjournal.com At Country Bank, we treat our small business customers like a big deal, because they are. They're the foundation of our communities, making it all the more important that we support them now through these uncertain times. Our Customer Care Center is here to help answer your questions, provide resources, and connect you with our experienced lending team. You can reach out to us at 800-322-8233, or visit countrybank.com/business-resources/ for more information. Even though our doors have temporarily closed, we're still here with arms wide open (figuratively, of course). M E M B E R F D I C M E M B E R D I F OUR COMMUNITY, E V E R Y B U S I N E S S I S E S S E N T I A L . When it comes to BY BRAD KANE Worcester Business Journal Editor I n an interview on the April 13 edition of WBJ's podcast, Worcester City Manager Ed- ward Augustus said if the forced shutdown of construction on the $132-million Polar Park project lasts until June, the baseball stadium likely won't be complete in time for the minor league Pawtucket Red Sox to move in by opening day in April 2021. As part of the effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus, onsite con- struction at the Canal District stadium site was shut down on April 3. Like non-essential businesses in Massa- chusetts, the Polar Park work cannot resume until at least May 4, although the date may be pushed back depending on the risk the disease still poses on the state and world. Gov. Charlie Baker already has extended the non-essential business shutdown once. Augustus joined the WBJ podcast, e Weekly Business Report, to discuss the project's timeline and overall cost. With workers unable to resume phys- ical work on the project, August said the project team – which includes the joint construction management team from Providence-based Gilbane Building Co. and Los Angeles-based AECOM Hunt – is doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work like finalizing bid packages for subcon- tract work and compiling invoices. If the shutdown lasts five or six weeks, then the construction crews should be able to make the time difference for the stadium to open in April 2021. "ere are still a lot of unknowns," Augustus said on the WBJ podcast. "If we are shut down until June, then it is probably not possible to make it up." Cost-benefit analysis To make up for lost time, the project team could decide to speed up the schedule by having crews work 12 hours per day and six days per week, he said. ose measures, though, would add If Polar Park shutdown lasts until June, WooSox likely won't start on time Construction crews at the Polar Park baseball stadium in Worcester were securing the site on April 2, in advance of the April 3 shutdown. " T h e r e a r e s t i l l a l o t o f u n k n o w n s . I f w e s h u t d o w n u n t i l J u n e , t h e n i t i s p r o b a b l y n o t p o s s i b l e t o m a k e i t u p . " Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus

• Cover