After a unanimous vote by Worcester City Council in late-September, Worcester has formally established a “local historic district” (LHD) in the immediate vicinity east of Elm Park — becoming the fourth such historic designation citywide and its largest to date.
The city stated in a news release that LHDs are meant to “protect historic resources from demolition or inappropriate alterations,” adding that the council’s decision gives “permanent protection” to the neighborhood beside the park.
In total, the new LHD covers 288 buildings across 64.5 acres of land, according to the city. The district runs along Elm Street up until about Oak Street on its southern portion, and it runs along Highland Street up until about Howe Street on the northern portion, until the district lines zig-zag together on its eastern edge.
Entire streets such as Somerset and Roxbury streets and their buildings are included in the district, as well as many buildings on Cedar, Sever, William and West streets closest to Elm Park.
Worcester city government said it plans to install street signage in the neighborhood within the next year to display the district’s historic status, akin to those in the city’s other three LHDs.
A map displaying the boundaries of the newly established Elm Park Neighborhood Local Historic District located east of Elm Park. It is Worcester’s fourth and largest LHD to date. Image courtesy of the City of Worcester.
The city noted that the creation of the Elm Park-area LHD comes a decade after Worcester’s last endeavor to form an LHD in Crown Hill, and that this addition complements a 2016 preservation plan and a 2019 comprehensive cultural plan which called for expanded efforts to set up historic and cultural districts as “key nodes” via resident, institutional, business and city collaboration.
City Manager Eric Batista said in a statement that the creation of the Elm Park LHD shows the city’s “ongoing commitment to historic preservation.”
“This immense effort has ensured that future alterations to one of Worcester’s most architecturally diverse neighborhoods go through a design review process to maintain the form of this neighborhoods for generations to come,” Batista said.
“The group of various styles, coupled with the high level of architectural integrity is what makes the area a special place — worthy of protection,” said Diane Long, chair to the Worcester Historical Commission, in a statement.
Long said the historical commission heard from many residents who were “excited” to see the neighborhood acknowledged as “the architectural gem it truly is.”
The process to establish Worcester’s newest LHD began in March 2021 when the historical commission voted to study the Elm Park neighborhood for a potential LHD designation, which was triggered by Becker College’s closure announcement, the city said.
The city said the historical commission followed a process outlined in state law which involves public outreach through surveys and public meetings, extensive historical research and documentation of properties within a potential district culminating in a final study report for the LHD prepared by the city’s Division of Planning & Regulatory Services. That 400-page report is available to view on the city’s website.
Now in the Elm Park Neighborhood LHD, most exterior architectural feature changes, including new construction and additions, changes to exterior materials and other outward-facing alterations or demolitions will be reviewed by the Worcester Historical Commission through existing state-defined processes, the city said.
Those who are property owners in the new LHD with questions are encouraged to get in touch with the city’s planning division either by email at planning@worcesterma.gov or by calling 508-799-1400 extension 31440.
Worcester’s planning division is also developing “design review guidelines” to assist property owners in the LHD who are navigating the design review process with clear expectations, according to the city.
