The Worcester City Council Public Works Subcommittee voted unanimously to approve the discontinuance of a portion of the former Foster Street layout beneath the railroad bridge at Washington Square, allowing the city to convey an easement to the developer First Bristol Corporation.

City officials said the move clears a title issue as First Bristol seeks to close on remaining development parcels around the Washington Square rotary and advance plans for a second hotel on the site. "We have been working for several years now with First Bristol Corporation, which is the development group that built the Homewood Suites on the other side of Washington Square," Peter Dunn, the city’s chief economic development officer, told the committee. He said the developer’s conceptual plan would use the segment as an additional egress with a right-turn-only exit onto the new Foster Street.

The discontinuance was presented as the final step in earlier right-of-way adjustments. Commissioner Westerling of the Department of Public Works told the committee that water and sewer infrastructure is located in the area and that DPW supports the discontinuance "provided that easements are provided for the water, sewer, and any appurtenances." Westerling added that city mapping identified water and sewer lines in the segment and that, if drainage remnants are later identified as necessary to the system, DPW would seek easements for those as well.

Dunn said the city and developer hope to close on the primary parcels before November. Committee members did not take public comment; there were no attendees on the remote line or in the audience who spoke on the item during the meeting.

Councilor Meryl Carlson made the motion to approve the discontinuance; Councilor Priscilla Pacillo seconded. A roll-call vote recorded yes votes from Councilor Priscilla Pacillo, Councilor Meryl Carlson and Chair Councilor George Russell, and the committee approved the discontinuance.

Next steps described in the meeting: the city will record the discontinuance and convey an easement to the developer while reserving easements for utility infrastructure as required by DPW. No timetable for the conveyance or easement recording was specified during the discussion.