It can’t be easy to be Worcester. The city ranks among the three largest communities in New England, yet for years has been largely shunned by potential new residents and businesses, perhaps in part because of its location nearly 50 miles west of Boston. Worcester officials, however, are teaming with Berkeley Investments in an effort to transform a struggling retail and parking complex in the city’s downtown into the flourishing residential and commercial area for which the community has pined for three decades.

As part of the ambitious, $300 million revitalization plan, Boston-based Berkley recently paid $30.3 million for the Worcester Common Outlets property, which totals 20 acres. The firm plans to develop 900 apartments and condominiums, 450,000 square feet of office space and 300,000 square feet of stores, or about one-half of the retail space that currently exists in the city.

Although the project might sound like the kind of renaissance plan routinely touted by communities throughout the country, there are a couple of elements that set Worcester’s vision apart. In addition to the fact that the city hopes to take advantage of an anticipated change in state regulations pertaining to how bond issues are paid off, the Berkley project – which is expected to receive about $50 million in public funding – will coincide with numerous other area improvements, including a $6.5 million facelift for Worcester Common, a 400,000-square-foot courthouse and a proposed 200-room Hilton Garden Inn. More importantly, plans call for a considerable number of additional housing units near the city’s improved transportation system, which includes increased access to Boston.

Worcester officials are embracing the kind of smart-growth principles that many consider crucial to the success of efficient, modern development. The city has endured more than its fair share of hard luck, and Banker & Tradesman wishes nothing but success for those spearheading its planned revitalization.