Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | January 24, 2022 | Worcester Business Journal 15 Gupta of MSNS Limited Company Inc. of Carlisle for $5.5 million. e town financially benefits directly since the center is the largest paying taxpayer in town, but indirectly the financial benefits will grow as residents and employees at the Southbridge Innovation Center shop, eat, and use the town's services. e center provides around 400 full-time jobs with the potential to employ up to 1,000 people once the development is complete. Shifting gears Growing up in nearby Woodstock, Chamber of Central Mass. South Executive Director Alexandra McNitt visited Southbridge oen as a child and remembers the presence of American Optical. As part of the latest phase of development, Norton fixed and turned on the lighted water fountain once an iconic image of the AO. "It was such a small thing, but so meaningful," McNitt said. Southbridge was so dependent on a singular employer many older residents could not comprehend the thought that the optical company closed, she said. However, through the center's mixed-use developments, the old buildings are attracting new businesses and changing residents' mindsets. "It is time for the community to shi their gears," McNitt said. From a regional perspective, many communities in McNitt's catchment area want to repurpose their vacant industrial buildings. However, the funding process is extremely slow, making it financially unfeasible for many towns. Southbridge's efforts with the innovation center are supplemented by the coronavirus pandemic as people move away from urban areas and into more suburban/rural towns, she said. Portions of Boston's population are moving to Worcester for affordability while Worcester residents are moving to surrounding towns like Southbridge, McNitt said. "ings flow out of Worcester and go west, and Southbridge has been benefiting from that," she said. A rising tide lifts all boats Building off the opportunities presented by the innovation center and the pandemic, the Town of Southbridge is actively making its own improvements to become a live, work, play community, said Southbridge Town Manager Michael McCall e goal is to allow life-long residents the affordability to stay in the town while encouraging new blood by attracting new businesses and young families. Southbridge is focusing its efforts on a variety of projects such as the $26-million Wells School project to turn a vacant school into residential housing for residents 55 years and older. "We want to make Southbridge attractive and liveable to residents in all stages of their lives. We also hope to court businesses with our walkable downtown and zoning changes," McCall said. Improving infrastructure, providing recreational opportunities like a future rail trail, and reallocating zoning laws and liquor licenses to attract restaurants, businesses, and residences into the area are all part of the master plan, he said. McCall is excited Norton is preserving the historical significance and architectural beauty of the past while paving the way for new possibilities. "It does represent the town in a lot of ways. It's history, it's culture, and in many respects, it is the future. at is part of the lifeblood of this community and always will be," McCall said. C O M M E R C I A L R E A L E S T A T E F O C U S W In Southbridge, Norton is seeking to create a hub to anchor revitalization around the town. Timeline of Southbridge Innovation Center, former home of American Optical Co. 1833 American Optical starts as a small optical store in Southbridge started by William Beecher. 1843 Beecher makes first steel spectacles in the United States. 1869 American Optical Co. officially formed. 1886 1,304,280 pairs of spectacles sold 1916 E.D. Tillyer hired as lens designer in research lab. 1917 2.5 million lenses manufactured for World War I. 1925 Tillyer revolutionizes optical industry with lens corrects for astigmatism. 1947 Metal frame plant in Southbridge completed. 1967 Warner Lambert buys American Optical, which becomes publicly owned. 1982 Warner Lambert sells American Optical to Mo Cunniffee and Rudy Wood. 1989 Southbridge Assoc. LTD Partner purchases 14 Mechanic St. property for $18.5 million. 1992 Manufacturing moves to Tijauna (except for glass executives). 2000 Demolition of main plant begins and Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center takes its place. 2001 The Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center opens. 2003 Southbridge Assoc. LTD Partner transfers property to Southbridge Associates II LLC, affiliated with Franklin Realty Advisors, for $1. 2016 Designation on the National Registry of Historic Preservation by the National Park Service 2016- Completion of the redevelopment of the 2017 power plant as a co-generation facility 2019 Commencement of the master plan highlighting major infrastructure improvements, public use amenities, and Southbridge pond waterside activation. 2021 Commencement of the residential development known as Southbridge Mills Sources: Optical Heritage Museum (Left) An aerial view of the Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center. (Right) The reopened lighted water fountain that was once a staple of the American Optical Co. PHOTOS | FRANKLIN REALTY ADVISORS

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