Will new state police crime lab come to Worcester? Here's the pitch

WORCESTER — The developer behind the private portion of the Polar Park redevelopment has submitted a bid to host the state police's Central Massachusetts crime lab in a Green Island parcel near the ballpark.

Denis Dowdle of Madison Properties confirmed Monday that a bid was submitted for a parcel in front of the Green Island Boulevard Garage.

"We believe we put together a very viable proposal," Dowdle said. "I just think it will be a great thing for Worcester."

Dowdle said the state Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance is now reviewing the bids and he is awaiting a response.

According to the request for proposals, the state is seeking approximately 180,000 to 200,000 usable square feet of space that could be used for a laboratory, evidence storage, office, records storage and meeting space. The term would be for 20 years, with two 10-year extension options.

The request specifies the state police are looking for space in one of the following municipalities: Worcester, Auburn, Berlin, Boylston, Grafton, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Millbury, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Upton, West Boylston or Westborough.

The state police currently have a crime laboratory in Sudbury.

According to the request for proposals, proposals for buildings that are located in close proximity to on-and-off ramps of one or more major highways will be rated higher.

The office is expected to receive approximately 40 visitors a week.

The state is targeting an occupancy date of November 2026.

In addition, the state's property objectives for acquiring leased space include efforts to reduce energy consumption and prioritize buildings deemed historic landmarks, and those located in Gateway Cities, such as Worcester.

In September, the City Council adopted a new state building code , or specialized stretch code, that requires the electrification of new construction starting July 1.

A public records request filed by the Telegram & Gazette for all of the bids the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance received from the request for proposals was not returned by Wednesday.

The city-financed construction of Polar Park had a goal of covering the borrowing with new property taxes, lease revenues and other new revenue sources generated by private development associated with the project.

Madison Properties' plans include residential projects, a hotel and lab space.

Timothy P. Murray,  president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the parcel would be "the ideal site" for the crime lab, allowing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to negotiate a fair lease while meeting several of the stated policy goals of the Healey-Driscoll administration.

"You're talking about a major investment that would be facilitated by a state lease in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood," Murray said. "You'd have a state-of-the-art environmental building in terms of fuel efficiency."

Murray also pointed to the proximity to Union Station and the potential for new jobs in the city, particularly for residents of the Green Island and Canal District neighborhoods. Local colleges could also collaborate with the lab on employment opportunities, he added.

The visitors could also support other nearby businesses in the Canal District, Murray said.

"The vision was a mixed-use district and this would continue in that vision and also pay taxes into the ballpark plan as well," Murray said.

Murray said the chamber has advocated on behalf of the Green Island bid to the office of Gov. Maura T. Healey. Members of the city's legislative delegation have also supported the bid, Murray said.

Thomas Matthews, a spokesperson for the city, said the city was aware of the bid and supportive of it.

"The City of Worcester is aware of and in support of Madison Properties’ submission to the state’s Request for Proposals for the State Police Crime Lab," Matthews said. "The master plan for the area along Green Island Boulevard has always included a vision for a laboratory-type use and this opportunity would fit that vision well."

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This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Will new state police crime lab come to Worcester? Here's the pitch