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QCC Announces Expansion Location

Leased Space on Franklin Street Will Serve 2,000 Students

Contact: Cherie Ronayne
Office of Institutional Communications
508.854.2849
cronayne [at] qcc.mass.edu

Release Date: 
1/30/2013

Worcester, MA, January 30, 2013 – QCC is proud to announce its newest expansion to 20 Franklin Street in Worcester.  The Board of Trustees voted to approve the lease of a new downtown location at a meeting on January 30. The Board’s vote authorized QCC to sign a lease for 72,409 square feet of instructional space in the former Telegram and Gazette Building in downtown Worcester. The expansion is a result of a successful venture amongst several local and state agencies including Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray’s office, the MA Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM), the Worcester Business Development Corporation (WBDC) and Worcester’s elected officials and business leaders. Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray states, “

QCC is leasing a building owned by the WBDC. DCAM was instrumental in the procurement of the lease, managing all aspects of the process. From working with college officials to initiate and manage the entire site selection process to the development of the initial RFP and selecting appropriate locations. DCAM also entered into the final lease negotiations on the college’s behalf.

The expansion will be formally announced at an event on February 6 at 9:00 a.m. Details will be forthcoming.

Stacey Luster, Chair of the QCC Board of Trustees said that she is “very pleased to be able to continue the mission that puts QCC student needs first and provides greatly needed instructional space to allow the college to fulfill its mission of providing high quality education to all members of the community.” 

The new, 72,409 square foot location in the Telegram and Gazette building will house Health Care, Workforce Development and Training, Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language programs. The new facility will support over 2,000 students.

The new location is considered the largest educational expansion in Worcester’s recent downtown revitalization effort.  QCC President Dr. Gail Carberry said, “We are proud to announce this expansion to downtown Worcester. In addition to alleviating significant congestion on our West Boylston Street campus, our new location is in the heart of Worcester’s high growth industry allowing students valuable training-related access to Med City, St. Vincent’s new Cancer Center and more, not to mention being located on multiple, main bus routes - accessible to everyone. Students will also benefit by being in close proximity to thriving businesses and organizations that can provide internships and clinical rotations required by many of QCC’s programs housed at the new location, fully integrating QCC with downtown businesses. The Franklin Street location will contribute to economic renewal in the area from student foot traffic to local stores and restaurants. It’s all positive news for our students in terms of education, location and their route to success.”

QCC has battled overcrowded conditions for years. In 2005, the MA Department of Higher Education pointed out that QCC’s main campus was at capacity. Today the number of students enrolled has grown exponentially from 5,970 students in 2005 to 9,130 students, an increase of nearly 53% - far more than can be reasonably accommodated. In recent years, QCC has added satellite locations in Marlborough, Southbridge and several Worcester locations to off-set some of the congestion.

For more information regarding this release: Call Josh Martin, Director of Institutional Communications at 508.854.7513.

Quinsigamond Community College is the most affordable higher education in Worcester County. As a regional leader in education and workforce development, QCC serves the diverse educational needs of Central Massachusetts by providing affordable, accessible, and high quality programming leading to transfer, career, and lifelong learning.

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