The Roundtable: Union Station, Worcester’s Camping Proposal and the Future of Downtown

Can Union Station Become a More Active Public Space?

By-Hank Stolz
Graphic-Radio Worcester/ Photos: Kill the Ball Media

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Worcester, MA-What would make Union Station a place Worcester residents visit even when they are not catching a train or attending an event? That question opens this edition of The Roundtable, as Hank Stolz and “Big” Ben speak with George Russell and Randy Feldman about the station, the city’s proposed public camping ordinance and the kinds of cultural activity that bring people downtown.

Can Union Station Become a More Active Public Space?

The Worcester Redevelopment Authority sought proposals for operations in Union Station’s Grand Hall and adjoining restaurant space after the existing Maxwell Luciano’s lease approached its June 2026 expiration. The panel discusses the reported renewal of the arrangement with operator Gus Giordano after the solicitation drew no competing bids.

For the panel, the larger question is how to make the building useful throughout the day. They point to acoustics, food-service infrastructure and an atmosphere they feel can discourage casual visits. Feldman imagines a Grand Hall active enough to support kiosks and small vendors on a regular basis, while acknowledging that the station has struggled to sustain even a coffee shop. The group also considers whether nearby housing development could bring more consistent foot traffic.

The Debate Over Worcester’s Proposed Camping Ordinance

The conversation turns to City Manager Eric Batista’s proposed ordinance concerning camping and other uses of public property. As described in the proposal, the city would conduct outreach and offer services before clearing an encampment; someone who remained after a notice to vacate could face a $25 fine. The proposal is under consideration, not an ordinance already in force.

Panelists disagree over the role of the fine and whether the ordinance would help the city respond to homelessness or penalize people who have nowhere else to go. They discuss low-barrier shelter, housing-first approaches, treatment and other services, as well as the difficulty of meeting needs that traditional shelters may not accommodate.

Russell argues that the discussion must account for both unhoused residents and the people who live and work near encampments. “People are right when they say homelessness is not a crime and shouldn’t be treated as such,” he says. “But by the same token, the activity of many folks that are unhoused also has a major impact on other folks that are living in the community.”

The group also considers whether Worcester bears a disproportionate share of the region’s need and what support should come from the state and surrounding communities. Those regional claims are part of the panel’s discussion; the episode does not establish how many people came to Worcester from elsewhere.

What Makes Downtown Culture Last?

In the closing portion of the conversation, the panel discusses local political dynamics, Worcester’s first Night Market and the city’s cultural plan update. The Night Market took place downtown on September 19, while the city’s ongoing planning process is seeking public input about Worcester’s cultural future.

Feldman suggests that practical support for smaller festivals, including the cost of public safety staffing, could help community events take hold. His broader question is how Worcester can support grassroots activity alongside larger events and development projects.