David Clark Co., Worcester aerospace equipment manufacturer, planning to move
WORCESTER — The David Clark Co. is planning to move from its manufacturing facility at 360 Franklin St. to a "more modern and efficient facility," according to a communication from the city Executive Office of Economic Development.
According to a letter from City Manager Eric D. Batista, the company and its affiliate DCH Properties LLC plan to move to a vacant 138,472-square-foot facility at 115 Northeast Cutoff. The project would include renovating the space and creating 20,000 square feet of office space for company headquarters, 88,370 square feet for manufacturing space and 30,102 square feet for warehouse and storage space.
The project is estimated to cost $48 million: $19 million for the acquisition, $25 million for renovations and $4 million for personal property.
Batista wrote that the city negotiated a tax increment financing agreement with an annual exemption of 60% over 12 years. The company has agreed to the city's responsible development ordinance, Batista wrote.
The agreement will be presented to the City Council when it meets on Tuesday night.
Construction is expected to begin in the third quarter of this year and to be completed by the end of 2025.
According to Batista, the company would retain 229-full time jobs and add five new full-time positions. He wrote that Worcester residents make up about 50% of the workforce.
The David Clark Co. designs and manufactures aerospace and industrial protective equipment.
Founded by its namesake in 1935, the company began providing high-altitude pressure, anti-gravity suits for World War II pilots in 1941.
It is most well-known for supplying the gear used by Neil Armstrong and the other astronauts in the Apollo 11 moon landing mission in 1969.
The company continues to provide NASA with protective equipment, as well as headsets for other settings like airports, football sidelines and the pits of car races.
Rental registry program
In another item on the Tuesday City Council agenda, District 3 City Councilor George Russell is asking for the city to consider multiple sections of Boston's rental registry program for Worcester's controversial program.
Worcester's rental registry program was unanimously approved in 2022. It requires any person who owns a property that is rented out to register each unit with the city. The registry includes residential, commercial and industrial properties as well as vacant lots that are rented for any purpose.
The rollout of the program, as well as associated fines, received backlash from residents and councilors.
Batista has submitted changes to lower fines, and the registration deadline was moved to July 1.
Russell is asking that the city consider the following amendments:
An exemption of inspections for owner-occupied multifamily homes under six units
Allowing property owners to hire independently licensed inspectors, who provide certified and sworn statements about the property condition
Language to ensure that property owners are not held responsible if a tenant denies an inspector access to a unit, including a statement that a landlord is prohibited from encouraging a tenant to deny access
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: David Clark Co. plans move to new location in Worcester
