With investment pumping into current and future developments all
over the City, some say that Worcester is experiencing a
renaissance. At the same time, some believe that public investment
intended to boost this economic development is money poorly spent.
These voices include Scott Van Voorhis of Banker &
Tradesman, who writes that "no city needs to blow $100
million in a bid to pump up civic pride." He warns readers to
heed economists and to allow development to occur on its own with
private money, believing that it will eventually get done. But will
it? Will the Commonwealth and private companies contribute to the
extent they have to other ventures? Not likely.
Perhaps a ball park on its own, without all of the other
privately and publicly funded projects surrounding it, such as
housing, hotels, restaurants and retail, is a losing proposition.
But in combination with all of the other investments, development,
redevelopment and energy, investing in the park appears
