Press Release: 5/16/2025
Governor Healey Commits $25 Million to Support Worcester Auditorium Redevelopment
State funding pledge will unlock private funding to advance project critical to the economic development of Central Massachusetts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
5/15/2025
MEDIA CONTACT
Karissa Hand, Press Secretary
Phone
Call Karissa Hand, Press Secretary at 617-725-4025
WORCESTER — Governor Maura Healey announced that her administration would make a $25 million match commitment to help redevelop the Worcester Memorial Auditorium, a critical project key to spurring new economic growth in Worcester and the broader region. The multi-year commitment of state funds will serve to unlock additional tax credits and philanthropy to bring this $100 million project to life.
“Our administration wants to support this project and play a part in returning the Worcester Memorial Auditorium to its place as a vital cornerstone of Worcester’s civic and cultural identity, while honoring the veterans for whom it was originally built,” said Governor Healey. “Our hope is that the state’s commitment to redeveloping this facility will spark others to step up and provide the full financing necessary to make this project a reality.”
“Buildings like the Worcester Memorial Auditorium have the potential to be the heartbeat of cities like Worcester and bring economic development and cultural vibrancy to the broader central Massachusetts community,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This funding pledge demonstrates our commitment to economic growth in all regions of our state.”
Built in 1933 to honor Worcester residents who fought in World War I, the Worcester Memorial Auditorium has been vacant for the past 25 years. Originally designed to seat up to 4,500 people, the auditorium played host to countless civic meetings, charity events, graduations, concerts by legendary performers such as Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, and Louis Armstrong and the College of the Holy Cross basketball team.
In partnership with the city of Worcester, the Architectural Heritage Foundation envisions a redeveloped multipurpose facility that blends historic preservation with modern amenities that could offer a wide range of programming—from concerts, comedy shows, weddings, and conferences to emerging events such as e-sports tournaments, robotics competitions, and immersive exhibits.
Statements of Support
Mayor Joseph M. Petty, Worcester
“The support from the Healey-Driscoll Administration is critical to the revitalization of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium. I am so grateful for the Commonwealth's support and hope we can breathe life back into this gemstone.”
City Manager Eric D. Batista, Worcester
“This $25M match from the Healey-Driscoll Administration is a game changer for the redevelopment of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium. The Auditorium is a central piece of Worcester’s downtown and Lincoln Square, and we are thrilled to see funding come in to help restore the building to its full potential as a vibrant hub of economic vitality. We hope this funding will generate further interest in bringing this project to fruition.”
Sean McDonnell, President and CEO, Architectural Heritage Foundation
“AHF is deeply grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for its transformational investment in the Worcester Memorial Auditorium. Without such a meaningful commitment from our government partners, this project would not be possible. For more than 65 years, the Auditorium served as a vibrant center of community life—hosting Bob Cousy’s Holy Cross basketball games, performances by Louis Armstrong and Bob Dylan, Jewish High Holiday services, graduations, First Night celebrations, and countless civic events. After 25 years of dormancy, this investment will enable us to enter the next phase in the restoration of the Auditorium as a cultural and civic landmark, while honoring the veterans—past and present—for whom it was originally built.”
Craig L. Blais, President, Worcester Business Development Corporation
“This $25 million Aud announcement is a transformative investment in Worcester by the Healey Administration. This critical facility will now serve as the anchor for the Lincoln Square redevelopment effort to build upon the Gateway Park project.”
Deborah Packard, Executive Director, Preservation Worcester
“The Worcester Memorial Auditorium is undoubtedly the most cherished building in Worcester. Not only is it an elegant and imposing structure, but it also embodies individual milestones and enduring memories of concerts, graduations, dance recitals, Holy Cross basketballs and so much more. Always of concern, the building was first listed on Preservation Worcester’s Most Endangered Structures list in 1997. It takes time and commitment to restore and repurpose a grand historic structure. We couldn’t be more grateful to the Commonwealth and the Architectural Heritage Foundation for their collective vision, determination, and foresight to bring new life to one of Worcester’s most important structures.”
William Wallace, Executive Director, Worcester Historical Museum
“The Museum of Worcester is excited to learn of this commitment which will revitalize one of the city’s treasured architectural gems and its World War I memorial—a landmark building at the entrance to Worcester’s Salisbury Cultural District.”
State Senator Michael Moore, Millbury
“For the past 25 years, the vacant Worcester Memorial Auditorium has represented an opportunity to restore a cultural landmark and reopen a uniquely beautiful space in the heart of the city. I am so thrilled that the Architectural Heritage Foundation has taken on the challenge of redeveloping this building and that the Healey-Driscoll administration has committed $25 million in matching funds to make it happen. In a city full of rich history and stunning 20th century architecture, the Aud distinctively stands apart. I can’t wait to see it be reimagined for the 21st century.”
State Senator Peter Durant, Spencer
“I often hear from people with many memories of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium when it hosted wrestling and concerts but it’s also a very significant historic building which should be brought back. The $25 million in matching funds will help open doors for grant opportunities that to restore this iconic building which, we cannot forget, honors Worcester citizens who fought in WWI.”
State Representative John Mahoney, Worcester
“The Worcester delegation threw our support behind the Auditorium because it is an important landmark for the city of Worcester. Our constituents deserve to be able to take advantage of this wonderful amenity. We’re grateful the Administration is investing in the building and excited for AHF to give it a new life that can be enjoyed by all.”
State Representative Mary Keefe, Worcester
“This is great news for our city. The auditorium is first and foremost a memorial to soldiers of the first World War. This funding will allow us to preserve that fact and to repurpose the building to an active and new use. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for recognizing the value of this special building.”
State Representative Jim O’Day, Worcester
“The Worcester Memorial Auditorium is an incredibly historic building, and efforts to maintain its longevity will be an asset to the economic development of the City of Worcester. I applaud Governor Healey’s commitment of the $25 million.”