Bill > H4774

This bill authorizes the transfer of certain land parcels in Worcester, Massachusetts, to promote economic development, specifically by allowing the Commissioner of the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) to convey approximately 44 acres of land, referred to as "disposition parcels," to the Worcester Business Development Corporation (WBDC) or its designee, New Garden Park, Inc. The WBDC is a nonprofit organization established to foster development in Worcester. The bill defines key terms like "BNRI parcel" (Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute) and "WRCH parcel" (Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital) to clarify which parts of the Worcester State Hospital property are involved. The transfer of the disposition parcels is intended for medical or technology-related purposes, such as research and production in fields like biotechnology. The bill also outlines provisions for determining the purchase price, which will consider the WBDC's costs for site development and relocating Community Healthlink, Inc., an organization currently occupying part of the land. Furthermore, it details how net proceeds from any future sale or lease of these parcels by the WBDC will be shared between the WBDC and the Commonwealth. The bill also addresses the potential transfer of the BNRI parcel to the University of Massachusetts Medical School and outlines alternative disposition methods if that transfer doesn't occur. Finally, it includes provisions for retaining easements for state agencies, granting rights-of-way to the city of Worcester for public access, requiring review by the inspector general before agreements are finalized, and allowing the commissioner to use eminent domain if necessary to acquire interests in the disposition parcels.