Worcester Business Journal

4 Worcester Business Journal | April 3, 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 New MBTA boss Phillip Eng "understands that a functioning transportation system is essential to a functioning economy, and he has a track record of taking the reins of struggling public transit systems and dramatically improving service. He also takes a collaborative approach to his work and maintains open lines of communication with customers, workers, businesses, local officials, and communities." Gov. Maura Healey, about choosing Eng to head the troubled Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority New healthcare facility "This is going to be a place where people not only get high-quality health care, but also feel comfortable." Worcester City Manager Eric Batista, at the opening of Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center's new 30,000-square-foot Worcester facility, the provider's 11th location Developing better jet fuel "Hydrogen, along with sustainable aviation fuels and aircraft electrification, represents a huge opportunity for the aerospace industry to meet the UN's 2050 climate targets." Andrew Teixeira, assistant professor of chemical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, about working with Phoenix- based manufacturer Honeywell Aerospace on using hydrogen fuel cells to reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation industry BY TIMOTHY DOYLE WBJ Staff Writer T he Garbose Building at 2-10 Parker St. in downtown Gardner has been acquired for redevelopment by Candor Realty of Lowell, the latest in a series of investments in Gardner's downtown. e sale price was $500,000. Candor plans on renovating the building to create 18 market-rate one-bedroom and studio apartments, and retaining the ground-floor retail space, according to a March 27 press release. "Our experience so far in Gardner has shown us that the city needs more housing," Candor President and CEO Jonathan Bombaci said in the press release, "and we're hoping this build- ing becomes the future home to some residents in the downtown". Candor owns approximately 100 units in Gardner, according to an email from Bombaci, including properties at 25 Main St. and 88-89 Main St. down- town. "In the last two years, we have seen unprecedented economic growth and development in Gardner, particularly in the Downtown," Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson said in the press release. "is latest news will only help improve that trend and strengthen what our Downtown can offer in the near future." Patti Bergstrom, head of Gardner's downtown busi- ness association, Gardner Square Two, Inc., is looking forward to the Garbose Building block being reacti- vated with new retail. "We look forward to the new owners restoring it and bringing in new retail shops," Bergstrom said in the press release. "Many of us remember when the building was home to e Elephants Child, Mother Earth, and Country Mis- chief, and the windows were so beautifully decorated." e seller was Dean Marcus who, according to the press release, struggled to find consistent tenants for the property. Marcus sold 25 Main St. to Candor in May for $400,000, according to the Worcester District Registry of Deeds. He sold 42-50 and 52 Parker St. to the Gardner Redevelopment Authority for a combined $375,000 in 2017. ose properties are being redeveloped by Gary Lorden, according to an October press release from MassDevelopment. Other investors and developers have been investing in Gardner as well with- in the past year. Shirley investment company e Door Fund bought a large property on Central Street in downtown Gardner in September for $2.3 million. In September, e Gardner News reported on a redevelopment effort by Hudson-based Molina Realty Group of the former Gardner News building and a former bank building most recently owned by Bank of America. "As we see more and more people moving to Gardner, projects like these help us meet that growth in a smart way, providing both housing and economic opportunities to our new and long standing residents alike," Nich- olson said in the press release. "I want to thank Jon Bombaci and his team, as well as all of the recent developers and investors in our City for their com- mitment to being strong partners for growth and success." Gardner's historic downtown Garbose Building latest to be acquired for redevelopment PHOTO | COURTESY OF CANDOR REALTY W

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