Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | December 9, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 7 since the project started," Donahue replied. "It has pursued diligently and doggedly every effort to utilize every component of this property, chase down every opportunity, and continue to seek ways that it can both pay taxes to the City and pay a return to its investors in an orderly fashion." Moving back to the topic of the Le Field building, Donahue outlined efforts Madison had taken to make the building work, first by pursuing potential tenants who were interested in occupying the proposed unique office space overlooking the ball field. Donahue said the company then attempted to pivot the building's purpose to being a life science center, but stated recent difficulties in that sector have led to an abundance of available existing life science-focused properties in the region, drying up demand for newly constructed space. He took issue with the fact Madison would be required to construct a building with no tenets or clear path toward occupancy lined up, a state- ment that riled Angelini. "You should have said that when you signed the agreement that said we shall [construct the building]," Angelini said. "is is not the time to revisit the agree- ment. e word 'shall' does not mean 'maybe.'" e hearing concluded without the WRA taking any action in regards to Madison, with Angelini noting the need for a discussion with the City's legal counsel and taking issue with the firm prioritizing its own financial well-being over its commitments to the City. "I don't know where we go from here," Angelini said. "is is not going to work." Steve Uliss, owner of Firefly's BBQ in Marlborough, passes away Steve Uliss, founder of Firefly's BBQ restaurant and catering company in Marlborough and a well-known figure in the Central Massachusetts culinary scene, died at age 61 on Nov. 22. e cause of Uliss' death has not been disclosed. His passing was announced on Nov. 22 by the Massachu- setts Restaurant Association, of which Uliss was a board member. "Massachusetts lost an incredible friend, family man, restaurant operator, and person today. Steve Uliss was a long time MRA board member and made countless contributions to the restaurant industry," a Nov. 22 post on the MRA's Facebook page reads. "Our hearts and condolences are with his family, his friends and the entire Firefly's BBQ community at this extremely difficult time." Uliss, a graduate of Shawsheen Valley Technical High School in Billerica and Johnson & Wales Uni- versity in Providence, worked in the culinary industry from age 16. He was first introduced to barbecue while working for the Peabody Hotel Group, according to Firefly's website. Uliss founded Firefly's BBQ in 1999, bringing a wide variety of different barbecue dishes to a region which formerly lacked access to Southern cuisine. Under Uliss' watch, the businesses established a fleet of catering trucks capable of feeding thousands, with its restaurant growing into a large indoor and outdoor space with room for live music and up to 275 guests. Firefly's food racked up numerous awards, with the restaurant being named one of the 10 best BBQ joints in America by National Geographic in 2013. Steve Uliss W

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