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4 Worcester Business Journal | August 17, 2020 | wbjournal.com C E N T R A L M AS S I N B R I E F Trolley Yard developer plans $50M+ life science center V E R BAT I M Always adapting "Everyone knows the adage about the buggy whip manufacturer. We do not ever want to be in that position." Bob Hellinger, president of Emuge Corp. in West Boylston, pointing to the manufacturer's ability to adapt as a key source of its longevity over 100 years Increasing efficiency "We're in the midst of a new era of SJC Drums, and I'm very excited to get back to grassroots." Mike Ciprari, co-founder of Southbridge manufacturer SJC Drums, discussing the company's move to a smaller facility Eight years and a pandemic "Being eight years after quite a few months with the pandemic and opening up, and being able to respond to a challenge the way that we did, is quite an achievement for us." Oriola Koci, co-owner of Livia's Dish, discussing her Worcester restaurant's eight-year anniversary G alaxy Life Sciences, a sister company to the de- veloper of the Trolley Yard retail complex in Worces- ter, on Aug. 7 announced plans to spend at least $50 million to develop a biomanufacturing facility at the 46-acre Worcester life sciences campus e Reactory. Galaxy came to an agreement with the Worcester Business Development Corp., which is preparing the former Worcester State Hospital site to become a biomanufacturing campus, to build the initial $50-mil- lion complex on six acres and have the right to develop the remaining areas of e Reactory, which is off Belmont Street near UMass Memori- al Science Park. e $50-million complex is expected to be complete in 2022, according to Galaxy. e developer paid WBDC $1.9 million for the six-acre property, according to the Worcester Registry of Deeds. e announcement comes less than three months aer WBDC finalized its agreement with Chinese company WuXi Biologics to construct a $60-million bio- manufacturing facility at e Reactory. WuXi was the first company officially slated for the biomanufacturing campus, and construction on its facility began this summer. Unlike WuXi, Galaxy will act as developer and potential landlord for biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies to conduct research, devel- opment, and manufacturing of clinical and commercial products, according to its announcement. e $50-mil- lion estimate for the facility could rise depending upon the exact specifications for the interior of the building. "e need for flex- ible and sustainable biomanufacturing in the region has never been greater," said Mike O'Brien, CEO of Galaxy Life Sciences, in a press re- lease. "We stand ready and able to help our potential life sciences partners turn their innovative ideas into commercial products at faster-than-industry-average speed to market." O'Brien, through his Webster com- pany Galaxy Development, bought the former Worcester Regional Transit Authority garage site near Gold Star Boulevard for $3.8 million and turned it into the Trolley Yard retail complex, which includes a Starbucks, Orangethe- ory Fitness and an Island Fin Poke Co. WBDC is working with the City of Worcester to complete the roadway and necessary utility infrastructure for e Reactory, with the construction work expected to begin this fall. Once that is finished, Galaxy will examine other possible developments on the site. "is $50-million plus investment at e Reactory by Galaxy represents the continuation of the growing life sciences ecosystem in Worcester," said Craig Blais, president and CEO of WBDC, in a press release. "e Reactory substantial- ly increases the City's tax base and most importantly creates a wide range of jobs in the region." BY BRAD KANE Worcester Business Journal Editor Craig Blais, CEO of Worcester Business Development Corp. A rendering of the proposed $50-million development at The Reactory from Galaxy Life Sciences Mike O'Brien, CEO of Galaxy Life Sciences "We stand ready and able to help our potential life sciences partners turn their innovative ideas into commercial products at faster-than-industry-average speed to market." - Mike O'Brien, CEO of Galaxy Life Sciences W