"We're excited about getting started," Madison Propertiespresident Denis Dowdle tells GlobeSt.com, an understandablereaction after nearly three years of site work, neighborhoodmeetings and permitting machinations have finally paid off for theBoston-based real estate firm. The first phase will entailconstruction of a Wal-Mart Supercenter, followed by a 57,000-sfaddition of smaller retail and restaurant options. The final phasewill produce another 80,000 sf of retail space.

Madison's signature project is a 502-room hotel in Boston'sSeaport District that itself just gained city approvals, but Dowdlecounts himself more as a retail specialist. The 43-acre Worcesterparcel, he explains, was appealing due to a mix of marketdemographics, limited supply and $170 million in roadwayimprovements done along Route 146 in the past decade, changes whichDowdle says have made a major difference.

"That is really going to open Worcester up to the rest of theworld for the first time in many years," he says, estimating atleast 15 minutes has been shaved off for travelers coming from theeast. As a result of the better access, many new developmentopportunities are emerging.