Officials in the city's planning department confirm forGlobeSt.com that plans are underway and a series of public hearingsand workshops are scheduled to invite public input. Improvementswill involve renovating the Common's monuments and walkways, aswell as presenting some of the area's history to visitors.

Repeated calls to the city's Parks Department were not returnedby presstime but the department's commissioner reportedly estimatesthat the improvements will cost between $4 million to $5 million.Part of the project will be funded by a federal urban self-helpland/water conservation grant, awarded through the state ExecutiveOffice of Environmental Management. That amount would be matched bya city appropriation.

Worcester Common is listed on the National Register of HistoricPlaces and any plans would have to be approved by the MassachusettsHistorical Commission.