AMAZON, WORCESTER, AND BOSTON

AMAZON, WORCESTER, AND BOSTON 

There are compelling reasons why Worcester should become the Administrative Center of Massachusetts. These reasons have been made more compelling by a confluence of events, natural, artificial, and proposed.

An Administrative Center is a location where the bulk of the Executive Offices are located, such as Department of Labor, Human Resources Division, Office of Attorney General, etc.  Right now the bulk of the Executive Offices are located in Boston.

Let me say that Worcester will never become the Capital of Massachusetts. That issue was decided in the 18^th Century after the defeat of Shay’s rebels.  The State House and Office of the Governor will always remain in Boston. The time of relocations of State Capitals has passed. There will be no more 19^th Century relocations  like Philadelphia to Harrisburg or New Haven to Hartford.

Reason Number 1  (Traffic Congestion)

The most compelling reason for the Administrative Center for Massachusetts being moved to Worcester is its location in the center of the Commonwealth. It is relatively easier for people from all parts of the State to reach and leave Worcester than Boston

The traffic going into and leaving Boston has now created the worst rush hour delays in the entire country. The commute to Boston is at least two hours. When I commuted to Boston I spent at least five hours a day going to and from work. The congestion made trips to Boston for clients a bad experience.

It is easier for clients from most of the State to get to Worcester than to get to downtown Boston. It is an  easier trip for people living in North Shore, South Shore, Gold Coast, Central Mass, Springfield, and the Berkshires. It might even be easier for some Bostonians to get to Worcester than to get to downtown Boston.

The fact that Boston is at the very end of the State means rail and highway systems terminate at Boston’s harbor. Inevitably this has led to traffic congestion. One could guess that several trillion dollars have been spent by the State and Federal governments in an attempt to mitigate the problem.

Many Bostonians are not aware of the fourth ring around Boston that runs through Worcester. That ring consist Routes 146, 290, and 190. It connects Providence, Worcester, and the twin cities of Fitchburg/ Leominster. Traffic, unlike Boston, flows into Worcester from North, South, West, and EAST.

Reason Number 2  (Boston flooding)

The ocean is rising due to climate warming. The effects of climate warming is that   Boston is flooding and its loss of land to the ocean is inevitable. Like with traffic congest trillions of dollars will be spent in the losing efforts to hold back the ocean.

Instead of spending that money in a futile effort, the State should allow the ocean to go and form a new coast. The buildings in the new flood zone should be removed. The businesses and other tenants could find relief in the buildings that the State would make available when it moves its Administrative Center to Worcester.

Already the rents in Boston are unaffordable for most, except the elite. Moving Executive Offices to Worcester will mitigate these high rents. Because of Boston’s history, reputation, and educational institutions, there will be no drop in the desirability of Boston as a business and educational center.

Reason Number 3 (The Amazon Proposal)

The City of Worcester has serendipitously identified a location for a new Administration Center for Massachusetts. It is the same area as that it  proposed for Amazon’s east coast Headquarters (HQ2). That area is Route 20 and Sunderland Road. It was proposed to handle the traffic flow of at least 50,000 people. Amazon is not coming to Worcester. Boston did not want Amazon due to the likelihood of increase traffic and higher rents.

The Worcester location has three means to get on and off of the Mass Turnpike, Route 122, Route 20, and Route 290. The Worcester location is a part of the fourth ring around Boston, Routes 146, 290, and 190

The commuter train runs through it. There is the opportunity to complete the Millbury train station which would be within walking distance of the Administrative Center.

For the reasons above and many other reasons the Administrative Center should be moved to Worcester.  It is easier for the people of Massachusetts. It will be less expensive for the people of the Commonwealth. There is already a proposal to do something very similar. There is no danger that the ocean will flood it.