Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | May 2, 2022 | Worcester Business Journal 15 R E A L E S T A T E P O W E R 5 0 Smooth Sailing in the Workplace Means Navigating the Winds of Change. FletcherTilton.com WO RC E ST E R | F R A M I N G H A M | B OSTO N | C A P E CO D Time advances. Change happens. Thinking shifts. Which is why, not surprisingly, the work environment is always a work in progress. Our labor and employment attorneys can help with everything from pre-employment and separation issues to avoiding employment-related litigation to navigating furloughs, layoffs, WorkShare and early retirement incentive programs, paid leave, payroll tax credits, working remotely, and more. All with certainty, experience, and perspective. Because in the workplace, there's no room for doubt. EMPLOYMENT-RELATED CLAIMS INCLUDING WRONGFUL TERMINATION, SEXUAL HARASSMENT, EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION, UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES, WAGE & HOUR CLAIMS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING | EMPLOYEE BENEFITS | RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS Joseph T. Bartulis, Jr., Esq. Chair, Labor & Employment Practice Group 508.459.8214 Scott E. Regan, Esq. 508.459.8220 CHARLES NORTON MANAGING DIRECTOR FRANKLIN REALTY ADVISORS LLC, IN WELLESLEY Residence: Dover College: University of New Hampshire Norton has already had a tremendous impact on the region's development trajectory and shows no signs of slowing. His investments in downtown Worcester began with a risky $33-million purchase of 100 and 120 Front Street back in 2015. Since then, he's become one of the city's most powerful developers and is the city's ninth largest property taxpayer, while still finding time to help the community. For the past 18 months, he provided free space to UMass Memorial Health to operate a COVID-19 testing facility in the Mercantile Center. This spring, Norton celebrated the long-awaited opening of a rooftop bar and restaurant known as The Mercantile. The restaurant adds vibrancy to The Mercantile Center, a bustling office hub in downtown Worcester, but is far from the finishing touches on Norton's downtown plans. In March, he debuted plans for a 150-unit apartment building and 125-room hotel abutting his Mercantile Center, marking Norton's ability to excel in almost every real estate sector. Norton constructed at his Worcester Business Center a 1.4-megawatt carport canopy solar array, which will be one of the largest private solar commercial installations in Worcester. Similarly, his 150-acre, 14-building office Southbridge Innovation Center has steadily grown as an economic driver of the small town. n What sets the Central Mass. business community apart from the rest of the world? There is great opportunity in Central Massachusetts to develop new real estate opportunities and grow new businesses. The positive and willing attitude to create jobs and support a better lifestyle resounds with the elected and appointed officials, in a true team approach. Central Massachusetts truly welcomes new initiatives. n Avid athlete: I played hockey in Russia while attending high school and played for the University of New Hampshire, and I'm still an active hockey player today. In addition, I have run the Boston Marathon three times. As an active cyclist, I have participated in the annual Pan-Mass Challenge for the past 14 years, raising more than $125,000 for that most worthy organization. DENIS DOWDLE PRESIDENT MADISON PROPERTIES, IN BOSTON Residence: Newton College: University of Wisconsin Although Dowdle's developments in Worcester are still more on paper than in steel, his proposed six-building project across from the Polar Park baseball stadium remains one of the most influential developments in the city. Madison Properties' ambitious plan promises to have a transformative effect on the Canal District – once complete. It includes hotel, residential, and commercial buildings, all of which were pitched before the coronavirus pandemic and have since undergone downsizing and extensive delays. The hotel, for example, dropped from 262 rooms opening in 2022 to 125 rooms opening in 2025. Still, the project carries immense sway in Worcester; it is located within the ballpark tax district, meaning its property taxes will go toward paying off the $160-million public stadium. Dowdle's wavering promises, if anything, have proven his power over the city, which is now dependent on his success to pay off its massive investment in Polar Park. Additionally, while his projects have been delayed and downsized, two other major development projects from different firms have spawned in the tax district, which should help make up for the Madison losses: a seven-story residential building at the former Cove Music Hall and a 400-unit, six-phase development at the former Table Talk Pies headquarters. n What sets the Central Mass. business community apart from the rest of the world? The location in the center of the state. The road network of all major highways. Lower housing cost compared to Eastern Massachusetts. Rail access and an airport. n Windy City: I was born in Chicago.

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