The Division of Planning & Regulatory Services collaborated with the Department of Public Works & Parks, the Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts and the Downtown Business Improvement District on the reconstruction of Francis R. Carroll Plaza in Federal Square. Unveiled and rededicated in the Summer of 2023, the Plaza outside of the Hanover Theatre is a vibrant public space featuring the Bank of America performance stage, which will host performances and public events throughout the year, and a public art installation titled "Calliope" and created by artist Ross Miller. The art piece is composed of stainless steel and LED lights and accompanied by a water/mist feature that gives nod to the in-house organ so popular in entertainment venues and churches in the early 20th-century. The Plaza also includes new plantings, festoon lights, and seating areas.
Following its reconstruction, Carroll Plaza now better serves the community by providing space for active use by residents, visitors and cultural partners, and it serves as a pedestrian-friendly gateway to the Downtown district from the Canal District and Main South neighborhoods.
Carroll Plaza is named in honor of Francis R. Carroll, a Worcester native, celebrated philanthropist and founder of the Small Business Service Bureau. Carroll has raised and invested millions of dollars into the City to revitalize Federal Square and Downtown Worcester. His leadership has helped make numerous other projects possible, including the St. Francis Xavier Center, Korean War Memorial and the restoration of Hanover Theatre.
