Candy Mero-Carlson Discusses Worcester-WPI Deal on Controversial Hotel Purchases

The city of Worcester and WPI have reached an agreement on WPI’s controversial move of buying the Hampton Inn and Courtyard Marriott Hotels to use as student housing. The move has largely been seen as damaging to the area’s tourism industry and the city’s bottom line by removing the hotels from the tax rolls. District Two Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson said the City Manager didn’t have a lot of leverage when it came to working out a deal. She said what the Manager has been able to do is give the city more time to replace the two million that is coming off the tax rolls and work with WPI in replacing those hotels. Mero-Carlson said it is unfortunate that WPI did not come forward to work with the city before buying the properties but that Worcester is in a better position today then it was when the deal was announced.