Here comes the first really big piece of the future Canal District

By Noah Schaffer

It's where you used to be able to buy a Subaru or, way back, see Bob Cousy play in St. John's gym. But when Bill Chase and Paul Robbins look at that cluster of empty buildings on Harding and Temple streets, they envision the Canal MarketPlace -- a European-style enclosed marketplace full of upscale restaurants, shops and a high-end private club.

Robbins and Chase have some procedural and financial hurdles yet to clear with their ambitious plan. It seeks not only to create its own high-profile footprint in the emerging Canal District, but to also serve as a tipping point for additional development.

On a recent afternoon, Chase gave a tour of the well-maintained former foundry, which Patrick Motors bought in the early 1930s. (It became vacant when the auto dealership moved to Shrewsbury in 2002.)

One expansive room is being earmarked for a high-end restaurant. One interested party is the owner of West Boylston's The Manor restaurant. Another is Chase's son, Steve, who is a chef at Gillette Stadium. (Chase could conceivably bring in some of the stadium's well-known players as "name partners"; already floated have been the likes of Tedi Bruschi and Adam Vinatieri.) A large function room would be also be part of any restaurant plan.

The marketplace would be enclosed and have trees, water and green space in the middle. A rather unique advantage in the neighborhood -- and one proven to be important in Worcester -- is the parking lot, which can handle up to 200 parking spaces.

Also planned is a private, membership-driven club, one that would allow members access to lounges and meeting areas.

Last week, the Zoning Board of Appeals took its first look at the plan. It tabled the item until this coming Monday's (March 28) meeting. "We wanted to see additional information and see the commitments from perspective tenants," ZBA member Morris Bergman explains. "We also had some questions about the interior and exterior. The matter is still open for discussion. When we ask to see memorandums of interest from tenants, it is a way for us to see the sincerity of the applicant, and to make sure it is likely to succeed."

Chase says he plans to bring along 20 memoranda of understanding from prospective tenants. There aren't that many slots open at his building; the memos are non-binding notes that show potential interested tenants.

At last week's meeting, the ZBA did approve the move of the Kelley Square Flea Market, which Robbins owns, to space on Franklin Street. Chase is optimistic that now that the flea market has been moved, no one will think the Temple Street project will be used to house the flea market.

The indoor marketplace represents Phase 1 of the partner's vision. Phase 2 would involve turning the former St John's gym, which remains completely intact, into a nightclub, using the basketball court as the dance floor. The estimated cost for the first two phases is $4.5 million. Chase says half of that amount has already been invested.

A possible third phase hinges on whether the hoped-for re-creation of the Blackstone Canal happens. The current proposal has a new canal running right down Harding Street past the building, all the way to Union Station. Chase thinks a new canal could create interest in professional offices on his site. That could cost $3 million, Chase says.

A veteran builder and engineer who says he's built more than 300 homes, Chase was part of the last major build-out in the area. "When I was at MIT, I helped with the engineering on the Galleria," he says, referring to the former name of the Worcester Common Outlets mall. "What's happening around here is taking advantage of what is naturally already in Worcester, not trying to artificially put something in."

What is somewhat new, or at least unusual, about the plan is its private-club aspect (members of the ZBA questioned the concept vigorously). The Canal Club's general manager, Anthony D'Elia, says the spot will be a posh getaway for those willing to pay $595 a year and who are approved by a membership committee. At the ZBA meeting, he said he meant it to be like The Worcester Club.

"They can bring their guests, and will access the club with an electronic card they scan to access the door," he says. "The staff will be attired in ties. We might have live jazz on some nights, a game room, theme nights, fresh flowers and bocce ball courts. In the daytime, we'll have wireless Internet and computers for businessmen who want to come in and check their e-mail."

One distinct advantage of being a private club is that it is exempt from the smoking ban that faces public bars. "It will be a separate, ventilated room where members could smoke, but we will keep it out of the main room," says D'Elia.

Although the idea of a private club evokes the image of guys sitting around smoking cigars, D'Elia stresses that the doors will be open to both genders.

Those doors may also open first. Last Monday, workers were already inside the space.

Noah Schaffer may be reached at nschaffer@worcestermag.com.

Original Article http://www.worcestermag.com/archives/2005/03-24-05/current/city_desk2.shtml