By DJ Harding
The City of Worcester alongside The Hanover Theater and Conservatory for the Performing Arts are hosting a rededication and Unveiling of the newly constructed Francis R. Carroll Plaza and Bank of America stage on Wednesday, July 19.
This new plaza is an essential part of the revitalization of Federal Square and will serve as an important placemaking in the Downtown neighborhood, programmed and activated by The Hanover Theater.
Central to the plaza is Bank of America stage which will host outdoor performances and have engaging light fixtures.
“I would like to congratulate all who were involved in the initial project to restore the Loew’s Poli theater and bring The Hanover Theatre to life as this new plaza is a continuation of their vision,” said Carroll. “I’m proud to have served on the Hanover Theatre project’s committee and I’m proud to support the group who has bought this new project together.”
Originally dedicated to Carroll in 2008, the plaza will be rededicated to the Worcester native in celebration of his decades of philanthropic work and service to the City. Carroll and his family have been tireless advocates of Worcester.
Carroll, a U.S. Navy Korean War Veteran, founded the Small Business Service Bureau in Worcester in 1968 to provide benefits and legislative advocacy to small businesses at the state and national level to reduce their cost of health insurance.
An early adopter of the CityScape project, Carroll has been instrumental in the development of Federal Square where he acquired the Dexter, Academy and Vuona buildings on Main Street. He has invested several million dollars into the buildings, including two façade renovations, where his company headquarters were located at 554 Main Street. Carroll was also an early supporter and founding member of the team that renovated and created today’s Hanover Theatre.
Carroll has been a lifelong humanitarian and played an essential role in raising $1.7M for the St. John’s Food for the Poor Program to build the St. Francis Xavier Center, which serves as a soup kitchen and food pantry for St. John’s Church. As commander of Worcester’s Vernon Hill Post in 1967, Carroll spearheaded an effort to build a Living Memorial Hospital in Vietnam in collaboration with Gold Star Mothers. The hospital was built in honor of men from Central Massachusetts who were killed or Missing in Action in Vietnam. The hospital is still open today, providing critical care to men, women, and children.
City Manager Eric Batista said “It’s an honor to name the new plaza after Frank Carroll,Frank is a true Worcester hero, someone who embodies the humanitarian and entrepreneurial spirit of the City. Frank’s impact on Worcester is immeasurable and we thank him for his years of service to the residents of our City and for his forward-thinking to improve our Downtown neighborhood.”
The Rededication and unveiling will take place on Wednesday July 19 at 4:30 PM on 551 Main St by City Officials.