Clark Plans New Campus On Vacant Worcester Parcel

WORCESTER, MA — Clark University has purchased a long-vacant Park Avenue parcel with plans to build an expansion of its main campus in the Main South neighborhood.

The school announced Monday that it had purchased a 7.3-acre site at 570 Park Ave. that was formerly the home of Diamond Chevrolet. The dealership closed and relocated to Auburn in 2012.

Clark does not have specific plans for the site, but officials said the school several options, including "an athletics/wellness facility, academic space, and student housing."

"For Clark, this land represents an extraordinary opportunity to further imagine our institutional presence within Worcester while offering space we currently do not have but need in order to enhance our campus experience for our students," Clark President David Fithian said in a news release.

Clark began exploring the property nearly a year ago, conducting soil testing to check for contamination. The parcel is located about two blocks northwest from Clark's main campus.