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In today’s episode of Wonders of the Woo we explore the old Price Chopper towards the end of Mill Street, across from Coes Pond. Years ago this was one of the only grocery stores in the area that sold booze. But for at least 10 or 15 years now, it’s been a place where truck drivers go to…..do something. Join us in our adventure…
The first place we wanted to explore was the alley behind the building.
The first thing you notice is the art-deco movement that has emerged in the back of the building.
Hot culture.
It’s also a great place to check out if you’re looking to get rid of a used toilet seat.
Or whatever else is lying around the house.
Lovers who don’t have phones often come back here to write messages to one another.
Some Price Chopper parking lot marriages work out better than others.
The doors which used to be an entrance are now used to let people know who was there.
It’s also a great place to go if you want to draw a self portrait.
Let’s check out the west wing of the building. You’ll notice the white Subaru sitting there for no apparent reason. Nothing shady about that.
The back of the building is where dreams go to die.
It’s a preferred repository for Worcester’s derelict community. They’ll take pretty much anything back there, including liquor bottles, discarded underwear, and baloney sandwiches.
The lot is surrounded by woodlands. This is where local raccoons go to vacation because it’s an abundant supply of delicious trash.
There is a never ending supply of all things Goya
And don’t tell Jameis Winston but the place is covered with free crab legs!!
It looks like our boy Al Dente has been hanging around here too.
And lastly, the abandoned Price Chopper is the best place in Worcester to take a home pregnancy test.
I think we can all agree that for the sake of humanity, we would hope that anyone who would take a home pregnancy test in the Price Chopper parking lot would come back with a negative reading.
So anyway, this place has been a dump for a long, long time. I have no idea who owns it, but it’s basically used a speed trap for cops now, and there’s always trucks parked next to it. But the bottom line is that it’s an eyesore and whoever owns it should probably clean it up. And if they don’t then the city should fine them until they’re forced to sell it and we can turn it into a park or a cornfield maze or something cool like that. Because they have no problem enforcing the “no parking” ban:
But evidently the no home pregnancy test, no Goya, no Mr. Boston vodka, no crab legs, no toilet seat ban hasn’t gone into effect yet.
What should we hit up next for the Wonders of the Woo series? We did this one because people suggested it. We live to serve the turtle riders. Leave your comments and your suggestions will be considered as long as they’re not dumb.
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15 Comment(s)
man how did I miss this one. I worked there when Backstreet Boys “I want it that way” was popular on fucking Price Chopper Radio. I did pretty OK as a cashier and got promoted to cash office. I lasted just over a year and a half until they changed managers. Then they got this middle-aged dude with a total creeper stache who would stare at me all shift. I got called into his office after about 3 months of totally being creeped out and probably really obvious about it. I don’t even remember what the office shit was about but I walked off shift and never went back alone. I showed up on pay day, with my huge boyfriend at the time, went to the customer service desk, and got my paycheck. Manager dude was like 5 foot 7 and my boyfriend towered over his ass. We walked right by him, my paycheck in hand and it was over. Gross. The store itself, well they repackaged gray ground meat and it had a HUGE rat problem. I never bought anything there and probably got cancer by sitting out on break surrounded by the trashiest women you will ever see. Somehow, about a decade later, I was able to claim more money. Somebody goofed on my pay and I didn’t know. Win?
This place would be a prime spot to put a new Worcester Flea Market, with the in-door atmosphere it could be year round too.
Councilor Rosen et al,
The city is taking the money they were “gifted” by the CDBG fiasco they created when they failed to monitor and ensure recipients of CDBG funds followed the required laws. After the city was audited and the issue was revealed, the city had to pay back $3.4 million in CDBG funds, but, for some reason, the $3.4 million was awareded back to the city during the current CDBG funding cycle. The city is now using $150,000 of that CDBG money to move the Stearns Tavern. After last nights meeting its clear the city isn’t going to willfully make the entire Stearns Tavern Accessible for those who are dis-Abled.
The meeting last night wasn’t even Accessible for those who use a mobility device or any others who can not navigate a change of level to get into the meeting room as the front doors of the IBEW Local 96 Hall on 242 Mill St. were locked up, and a side entrance was used to the meeting room, which was not wheelchair Accessible. A member of the Worcester Commission On Disabilities who uses a scooter, had to get the staff to open the front door so she could get into the meeting. The city can’t even ensure that an Accessible meeting venue is used for these meetings. City Manager Agustus Jr., Mayor Petty and City councilor Gary Rosen, didn’t even consider this issue when they scheduled this meeting. That itself is outragous and interestingly enough, there is another meeting scheduledon the same issue, the Stearns Tavern, at this same location November 9th.
During the meeting I brought up a few points, one being the second floor of the Stearns Tavern needed to be Accessible. Phil Niddrie responded with, the city is going to use revenue from renting the office space out on the second floor for operation cost of the Stearns Tavern. The city not only will spend $150,000 for Stearns Tavern of taxpayers money that they are 1000% lucky to even have, but the city will also spend many more 100s of thousands of dollars to renovate the Stearns Tavern for 7 Hills to occupy it after the move is complete. Those who are dis-Abled must be included in every aspect of this project and creating Access to the 2nd floor must be included.
The City Manager spoke during the meeting, which this is at least the second time it has been brought up during a meeting with Mr Agustus by Mr Agustus, that clients of 7 Hills could, among other things, empty the trash. Empty the trash, the other “things” were menial tasks at best. Fact is, those who are dis-Abled job asperations, are much more than “emptying trash”, and those who are dis-Abled must be provided more meaningful job opportunities than emptying trash as a job skill and/or training activity. Mr Rosen stated at the begining of the meeting, that this project will make it possible for the city to get additional funds for future projects. It seems clear to me that those who are dis-Abled are being used by the city to get money and also to make it look like its doing the right thing for those who are dis-Abled.
The city should be totally ashamed about whats taken place here over the lack of Access to a public meeting, and also its unwillingness and failure to plan for those who are dis-Abled by doing the right thing. This is an insult and a violation of the Civil Rights of those who are dis-Abled and must be stopped!
Scott Ricker
Scott,
I think my comment speaks to the sincere generosity offered by Local 96 to host a neighborhood meeting and provide what we understand to be an accessible facility. That understanding is based on a 2011 occupancy permit after completing a full code-compliant renovation of what was a former retail space. As part of that renovation, significant attention was directed to insuring that members, employees and visitors who may have disabilities are afforded access and use of the facility. The general access is provided through the two main front doors, while the rear meeting room is accessed through these same doors and on through the office corridor.
Because the meeting room has a side door that provides immediate access to the parking area, we generally allow that entrance to be used in addition to the front. And yes, the side entrance has approximately a 4 – 5″ step that definitely can provide an obstacle for someone reliant upon a mobility chair. Since taking occupancy, our experience with visitors needing accommodations to our rear meeting area has shown that the front door has been an acceptable alternative access point. And yes, we failed to unlock the front doors in time for the start of the meeting, but did so as soon as it was called to our attention. I think those few who were in attendance at the time the accommodation was alerted to us will attest to our immediate assistance to the woman in need. We also are fully aware that those with disabilities would prefer not to endure additional assistance but rather be provided suitable self access to a facility.
It was also fairly clear from your comments during the meeting, this initiative by these dedicated citizens has created quite a bit of stress for you, seemingly in the approach to design and levels of access. I am assuming your comments, directed at our facility, as well as at those who have spearheaded this project were an extension of that frustration, but in my opinion way out of line.
Best wishes with your next venue.
All due respect sir, but I do not believe you understand the Massachusetts Building Code and how it is applicable to public invite buildings and facilities when new construction or renovations take place and access for those who are disabled shall be provided. Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MA AAB) rules & regulations are applicable when work is performed as new construction or renovations of existing buildings are completed per chapter 3 of 521CMR. MA AAB 521CMR is architectural building code in place to ensure full & barrier free access is provided for those who are disabled at public invite locations including buildings, parks & playgrounds and temporary buildings to name a few areas where 521CMR applies.
A Certificate Of Occupancy (CO) should not be issued when a final inspection is completed and a facility or building does not meet all applicable sections/chapters of the applicable edition of 521CMR. The Renovations/Work Performed which took place at 242 Mill St for 2010 under two City of Worcester Building Permits (B-2010-1459 & E-2010-2320) alone triggered full compliance of the applicable edition of 521CMR (2006) as the building was assessed at $761,500 and the value of the two building permits issued for 2010 was $1,160,818. Chapter 3 section 3.3.2 applies in this instance as 30% of the value of the building in 2011 was $228,450. Any facility or building owner is required by 521CMR to submit a variance application when a facility/building does not meet the applicable sections/chapters of 521CMR.
When a CO inspection was completed by the City of Worcester Building Inspector (John Morawski) and issued 7/21/2010, there were deficiencies of various sections of the 2006 edition of 521CMR. i.e. chapter 23 (parking) chapter 20 (Accessible Route) and chapter 25 (Entrances) to name three chapters I believe the building at 242 Mill St does not now, nor did comply to 521CMR on 7/21/2010.
Massachusetts AAB 521CMR is building code and can not be substituted by any policy or practice with the intent to provide access for those who are disabled via an alternative means. All public space in any/all public buildings shall be 100% accessible according to all applicable chapters and sections of 521CMR. The MA AAB per 521CMR chapter 4 provides a variance process, and a variance applicant has determined meeting any/all chapters and sections of the applicable rules & regulations of 521CMR as impracticable.
The meetings held at 242 Mill St for the Coes Knife facility and relocation of the Stearns Tavern should not have been scheduled to be held at this location by City Councilor Gary Rosen, City Manager Augustus Jr or Mayor Petty unless it was determined prior too the first meeting that the facility is fully accessible for those who are disabled. It appears to be an unfortionate situation that IBEW Local 96 believed the building was accessible per the code inspection you mentioned.
City of Worcester Mayor, City Manager et al,
The quote by Ed Miller in the Worcester Magazine speaks volumes of the hatred and ignorance. ““It would be in St. Peter’s best interest to ensure there is an automatic gate-opener installed by the time Scott arrives,” Miller said jokingly. “After our efforts here, I am not so sure a well-intentioned helping hand will suffice.””
Its underhanded hatred and ignorance. Mr Miller also offered to take me out for an ice cream at a venue of my choice at the end of an email he sent me. This often happens when a building owner or manager are compelled to make changes because their facility was found to have architectural access issues after a renovation.
The issue around the front door being “with the front main entrance unlocked and available, to those with disabilities, our facility is adequate for the next public meeting on Nov. 9,” Miller said.
City Manager Ed Augustus Jr. confirmed the city’s accessibility review and positive findings, and said there have been no changes in the plan to host the next meeting at the IBEW building.”
I am in agreement with this solution if, the front door is the only door used by all members of the public and all others i.e. city officials and State Reps/State Senetors or anyone else. Having the front door unlocked & available but the side entrance, which is not accessible nor does it meet the requirements of the current edition of 521CMR, remains open and used by members of the public attending the Nov 9th meeting, is discriminating in its nature and creates a situation of “seperate but equal” which clearly seperates those who are disabled from the the side public entrance and instead requires them to use the “available front entrance”. There was a sign on the front doors at the last meeting directed all visitors to the side entrance. The managers must ensure its now known that the front entrance will be the “only” entrance open for use on Nov 9th.
Very simple solution that does not segregate those who are disabled from the general public.
From I.B.E.W President Ed Miller on 10/30/15;
For the benefit of those who were directed this toxic e-mail, and on behalf of our Local Union, I want to insure you all that our positive response to a request from a city official to utilize our meeting room was in the spirit of assisting with this very honorable initiative. It is unfortunate that Scott’s approach to advocacy for increased accessibility with regard to this initiative is reliant upon finding fault with those that are already in his corner. So we will let Scott continue with his campaign with no further response to his inflammatory e-mails, not to mention the disrespect to my offer of an ice cream at a venue of his choice.
Leo E. Miller, Jr.
President
Local #96 I.B.E.W. Building Corp.
242 Mill St.
Worcester, MA 01602
(508) 753-8635
The old El Morocco rathole drug den on Wall Street is a junkie paradise waiting for an enema.
Screams and smells all night long.
I’ve been wanting to go up there (the EL) to do a photo portfolio for a while but every time i make any attempt, there’s some seedy old man across the street rippin butts waiting to call the cops, and shady looking drug deals going on right next door… i need a partner in crime for this project.
I love that you point out the obvious things of Worcester that really need help. Hopefully your post turn into people caring and doing something positive. Would you be interested in researching something just outside Worcester? Old Webster road OXFORD ma is home to a building that needs to come down for so many reasons…it’s already falling down, loitering, 1000 cats, just a few but it also blocks a really great view of buffumville! Moscoffians is a dead business and basically an abandoned building, minus the few trips the owner makes to feed the cats! It’d disgusting & environmental not safe. Your thoughts would be appreciated!
YEs
Perhaps it’s high time old Sammy grabbed a rake?
Shot out to anyone who learned how to drive in this parking lot.
Non contributing members of society are the biggest reason (not the only) for the demise of Worcester.
The wonder of the woo, never cease;
btw; Worcester Mill LLC is part of Plaza Properties, which redeveloped the Lincoln Plaza shopping center several years ago. The company is headed by Sam Adams, whose family used to own the Big D supermarket chain. Price Chopper made lease payments thru 2010 which held up any developments according to Eric Knapp, representing Worcester Mill, told the City Council Ad Hoc Committee in 2007 on the Mill Street Business Corridor last night that the property owner believes the best reuse of the site, situated on the southern end of Coes Pond, would be for housing instead of retail in 2007.
Sam Adams owns it. Formally Sam Gould.
I’m a little disappointed, not gonna lie! I was hoping for some true turtleboy investigative reporting and you’d come back and out whoever the owners are and put them on blast. Come on turtleboy, we expect better from you!
Worcester is a shithole! Moved out of Worcester years ago because of the litter, the mess and bum residents. Place sucks. I propose a photo contest to be held on TBSports:
“The Shittiest Place in Worcester”