Five Amazon closures don't affect construction at Greendale Mall, site to open in 2023

Toni Caushi, Telegram & Gazette
·2 min read
WORCESTER - Construction continues on a new Amazon facility at the site of the former Greendale Mall Tuesday, August 23, 2022.
WORCESTER - Construction continues on a new Amazon facility at the site of the former Greendale Mall Tuesday, August 23, 2022.

WORCESTER – Where Greendale Mall used to be, the excavators’ reverse beeping and heavy whir fills the air around Neponset Street as work on an Amazon distribution center continues, even among upcoming five closures across Eastern Massachusetts. 

Amazon spokeswoman Caitlin McLaughlin confirmed that the Worcester site will open as scheduled, although she did not specify when.

McLaughlin said in a statement that the closures, which include one in Milford, were part of a plan to streamline delivery services at newer locations, while employees are being offered positions at other locations.

“We regularly look at how we can improve the experience for our employees, partners, drivers and customers, and that includes upgrading our facilities," said McLaughlin. “These facilities provide upgraded amenities, including increased on-site parking, larger operational spaces and better breakrooms with open market vending.”

In July 2021, the demolition of Greendale Mall was followed by construction work that is quickly materializing plans from 2020 for a 125,000-square-foot Amazon distribution center.

District 2 Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson said Tuesday that the building is set to open its doors sometime in 2023.

Amazon, which is headquartered in Seattle and posted 2021 revenues of $469.8 billion, is expected to pay an estimated $185,901 in property taxes for the warehouse at Neponset Street, according to a previous Telegram & Gazette interview with Alex Guardiola, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce vice president of government affairs and public policy.

By Amazon's measure, the site will generate 1,166 vehicle trips on an average weekday.

This is the second distribution center in Worcester.

At 125 Goddard Memorial Drive, a 177,000-square-foot distribution center took up the building formerly occupied by TE Connectivity near Worcester Regional Airport and has been active since early 2021.

Distribution centers power the "last mile" of the order fulfillment process. Packages are transported to delivery stations from Amazon fulfillment centers, sorted and then loaded into vehicles for delivery to customers.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Amazon continues work in Worcester despite closures in Milford Everett