New Worcester Opportunity Center Reaches Topping-Off Stage

The center is being built as part of Phase 2 of The Phoenix at Curtis redevelopment.

By Jessie Castellano, Patch Staff

Aug 3, 2026 12:22 PM EDT

Crews raised the final beam for The Phoenix at Curtis' new Empowerment and Opportunity Center earlier this month. This marked the topping off of the Phase 2 building, according to the Worcester Housing Authority. (Worcester Housing Authority)

WORCESTER, MA — Construction of a new community center in the city has reached a major milestone.

Crews raised the final beam for The Phoenix at Curtis's new Empowerment and Opportunity Center earlier this month. This marked the topping off of the Phase 2 building, according to the Worcester Housing Authority.

Before the beam was lifted into place, project partners, community leaders and Worcester Housing Authority employees signed it. Participants included former WHA Chair Joe Carlson, CEO Alex Corrales and Chief Development Officer Peter Proulx.

Worcester community leaders and Worcester Housing Authority employees signed the beam before it was lifted into place. (Worcester Housing Authority)

An American flag and evergreen tree were also placed on the beam as part of a longstanding construction tradition associated with safety, good fortune and continued growth, the housing authority said.

The ceremony came weeks after a ribbon-cutting for Phase 1. That phase is part of a $96.9 million affordable housing redevelopment.

The Empowerment and Opportunity Center is part of the project's second phase.