Attendees: Brown Miller, Boott Cotton Mills; Janet Pitzer, Downtown Lowell Business Association and Welles Emporium; Father John Cox, St. Joseph the Worker Shrine; Diane Tradd, DPD; Bill Lipchitz, Center City Committee; Colin McNiece; DPD; Adam Baacke, DPD; Mario Madrid, DPD; Maria Dickinson, DPD; Matthew Coggins, DPD; Michael Smith, American Textile History Museum;
Thomas Galligani, the Director of Economic Development, opened the meeting with an overview of a survey done to Downtown residents conducted by DPD last Fall. Thomas Galligani emphasized that the results of this survey are just temporary since DPD only received the response from elderly housing. The survey sent to the Ayer Lofts should be delivered soon to DPD staff and will be combined with the previous results to complete the survey. Several CAC members agreed that the results expressed the opinion of the elderly majority. The CAC suggested that DPD should follow up the survey with the younger downtown population and potentially extend the survey to the entire city.
After CAC members reviewed the Downtown residents' survey, Thomas Galligani made an introductory presentation regarding Business Improvement District (BID) and its potential application in Downtown Lowell. This presentation started with an overview of the BID concept, as well as the experience of two existing BIDs in Massachusetts: Hyannis and Springfield. Thomas Galligani presented different scenarios for the Downtown and the potential revenues generated as a result of the BID. After the BID presentation, CAC members agreed to look further at this concept, and suggested a trip to Springfield or have a representative from one of the existing BIDs come to Lowell and do a presentation at a CAC meeting. They also agreed that CAC should pursue a direct benefit in order to sell this concept to property owners and tenants in the downtown. CAC members agreed that, in the future, the BID fees could be offset by savings that might result from pooling trash removal, electricity, and other building maintenance fees, of BID members.
Father John Cox expressed his concern of the lack of communication between the Division of Planning & Development and the Downtown Community, stated that Lowell needs a Downtown Coordinator.
The CAC members were invited to make their comments on the Downtown Plan Draft. The majority suggested completing Chapter Five and the Traffic Study ASAP. Colin McNiece, the Chief Planner and Mario Madrid, the Transportation Engineer informed the members that the data collection for the traffic study will not be done until April, due to Winter factors which affect the traffic patterns. Mario Madrid told the CAC that the Traffic Study should be completed by mid-June.
CAC members mentioned a few of the main issues that should be addressed and solved ASAP:
· Poor maintenance and decrease in security within the downtown parking garages;
· Poor sidewalks winter maintenance. As a result, pedestrian traffic in the downtown has decreased;
· Lack of law enforcement regarding biking, skating and blocking the sidewalks;
· Parking Availability: CAC mentioned the difficulties with the Historic Board regarding the parking signage. Parking garages are not visible for the shoppers and visitors.
Regarding the current situation of the Parking Garages, Thomas Galligani informed the CAC that Sandy Swaile, the Design Planner, is working to improve the lighting along the stairway at the Market St. garage. New lighted signboard, current being designed may improve safety and the physical appearance of the stairwells in the Roy St Garage.
Father John Cox and Janet Pitzer suggested that the CAC should receive feedback from the management of the parking garages in the next CAC meeting. The CAC also suggested that the group has enough issues to work on currently. The next meeting should focus on pursuing specific goals for the Downtown.
Send questions and comments to:
Thomas Galligani, Downtown Plan Project Manager
Division of Planning and Development
J.F.K. Civic Center
50 Arcand Drive
Lowell MA 01852
(978) 970-4276
tgalliga@ci.lowell.ma.us
City of Lowell Downtown Plan Home Page
Return to Center City Committee Issues Page
Return to Center City Committee Home Page