Worcester Business Journal

4 Worcester Business Journal | February 6, 2023 | wbjournal.com C E N T R A L M A S S I N B R I E F V E R B AT I M Cape Cod expansion "The Antique Center was part of the local retail landscape for three decades. We look forward to being part of the community for years to come." Tony Brookhouse, chief operating officer of Koopman Lumber of Whitinsville, which is expanding to its 12th location and first on Cape Cod when it moves into the former Antiques Center of Cape Cod in Dennis $5B in marijuana "Massachusetts has established itself with a robust cannabis market, and many states are looking to us as they are looking to enter into the space." Kimberly Roy, commissioner on the regulatory body Cannabis Control Commission, on Mass. adult-use marijuana sales surpassing $4 billion since dispensaries opened in 2018 and $5 billion when combined with medical marijuana sales Fixing the finances "As we continue to work to strengthen our financial position, we are confident that Dr. Fadahunsi's leadership at a vibrant municipal community health organization makes him the right financial leader to help us meet this moment." Louis Brady, president and CEO of the Family Health Center of Worcester, on hiring Yinka Fadahunsi as chief financial officer, as the healthcare provider seeks to recover from a rough 2022, where tenuous finances lead to layoffs and facility closures. Pictured is Fadahunsi. BY KEVIN KOCZWARA WBJ Staff Writer W hen the Worcester Red Sox open their third season at Polar Park on March 31 against the Syracuse Mets, the team plans on temporarily taking over the space set aside for the delayed Le Field Building, which is part of a five-building planned development slated to help pay for the $160-million public baseball stadium. e plan to create a fan zone in that area next to the le-field scoreboard was unveiled Jan. 26 as part of new WooSox-funded upgrades for the 2023 season, including heated areas in the stadium, more food options, and additional ticket booths. Polar Park "has been an enormous success, but for this enormous venture proposition to be successful, it has to be a win-win situation," Larry Lucchino, chairman and principal owner of the WooSox, said during the presentation to season ticket holders. "A win for the team, and a win for the city, and a win for the region as well." In the place where the Le Field Building is supposed to be constructed, the WooSox will have a new fan deck in le field on Plymouth Street to include cornhole games, a stage for live music, and four canopies for shelter from rain and shade from the sun. e area will include 36 tables and 175 seats in le- center field and accessible for anyone who attends a game. e area will be a fan experience until Boston developer Madison Properties builds what is supposed to be the Le Field Building and finds tenants, Lucchino said. e underground portion of the Le Field Building has already been constructed, as it shares space with Polar Park, and the ground- level foundation is visible. Madison Properties is waiting to complete construction of the building until it lines up a main tenant for the facility, as it plans to build-to-suit that tenant's needs, according to previous statements Madison President Denis Dowdle made to WBJ. e original goal was to have a life sciences company occupy the building. Dowdle didn't respond to requests for comment about the WooSox plan to take over the space until the building is built. e Le Field Building was originally slated to open in 2023, as part of a five- building development from Madison Properties. e property tax collections from those buildings are one of the main sources of revenue the City of Worcester plans to use to pay off the 30-year debt on the $160-million public stadium, in order for the ballpark to pay for itself and not use general taxpayer- funded sources of revenue. However, as those developments have been delayed, the revenue collections from the district surrounding the ballpark have been underperforming, and the City sold off a piece of public property near the stadium to cover the debt payments. e completion of the Le Field Building has been delayed to at least 2024, according to the latest update from the City in February 2022. e building has been approved for a $3-million tax break, and Madison must start making property tax payments on the property in 2024, regardless of whether the building is constructed. WooSox to take over space originally slated for delayed bioscience facility W The WooSox are creating a fan zone on the foundation of the planned, but delayed, life sciences building behind Polar Park's left field. The already-poured white pilings are currently visible. RENDERING | COURTESY OF THE WORCESTER RED SOX

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