CENTER CITY COMMITTEE
STAKEHOLDER REPRESENTATIVES
MEETING MINUTES
October 25, 2005

Present: The Stakeholder groups were represented by the following members: Artists, Steve Syverson; Building Owners, Larry Field; City of Lowell, DPD, Susan DeMari; Chamber of Commerce, Jeanne Osborn; Non-retail Business, Matt Fitzpatrick; Middlesex CC, Molly Sheehy (and Colleen Cox); Lowell Police Dept., Ken Lavallee; NMCOG, Bob Flynn; Non-Profit Corporations, Bill Lipchitz; Lowell DNA, Ted Lavash; Retailers , Mark Coddaire; Lowell National Park; Peter Aucella.
Absent: Cultural Organizations, L.Z. Nunn; UMass Lowell, Dr. Joseph Lipchitz; Restaurants, Frankie Descoteaux; UTEC, Juan Carlos Rivera; Lowell Festival Foundation; Janet Leggat.
Members yet to be appointed: Lowell High School; LRTA; Lowell Plan; CVB.

The meeting opened at 8:35 AM.

Bill Lipchitz, reported that the sub-committee on the By-Laws from is working on the 2nd draft, with the sections on membership and Board of Directors the main topics. CPA Ray Anstiss, Jr., who helped in the initial submission of the tax-exempt status application, has agreed to review the changes to see that they will not affect the tax status. The sub-committee hopes to present a final draft for approval at the next monthly meeting.

Susan DeMari talked about the plans for downtown during the holiday season. She expects that the successful activities from last year will be incorporated into this year's program. Last year it was called Thursday Night Lights and was held every week between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Businesses were encouraged to stay open, there was a joint ad every week set up by her office that stores could participate in, and Santa Claus was available for pictures with children. The headquarters was in the La Moda space, but this year the plan is to move it around to different businesses. Also, Thursday December 1st is the date of the next Destination World, this time celebrating England. This can work in well with the Christmas theme, with carolers and other traditional Christmas celebrations.

Susan is also planning other entertainment such as a barbershop quartet and a band. She will also run an ad at the Showcase Cinemas about downtown Lowell. There will be validated free parking at the John St. and Market Street garages and refreshments at various stores. The estimated cost is about $1,200, and last year the CCC contributed $200.

Molly Sheehy cited the success in Newburyport where they do something on Friday evenings and asked if Friday might be a better night for Lowell. Mark Coddaire said, as a retailer, he would prefer to stay with Thursdays because Friday’s crowds are usually downtown for something other than shopping and that this makes Thursday more focused on retail and gives merchants another night of activity downtown. Mark also suggested that members of the CCC meet somewhere on Thursday evenings and visit stores to increase the activity and show support. This was deemed a good idea to try this season. Colleen Cox suggested that outreach be done to neighborhood groups when they have their regular meetings to encourage their members to come downtown on Thursday evenings.

Mark also reported that the DLBA held a meeting last night with 30-40 people who have stores downtown (but are not necessarily members of the DLBA yet) to talk about common hours of operation and other issues. Jeanne Osborn said that having other things go on downtown on Thursday evenings could help bring more people in, and mentioned the Mayor’s annual Reception at City Hall on December 15th as an example. The Holiday Parade will start the season on Saturday November 26th

In response to a question about insurance that used to be provided through the DLBA as an incentive to join, Mark said that it was quicker, easier, and cheaper for businesses to get a rider on their own policies, and that had been dropped as a recruitment technique.

The issue of lighting more building s downtown was discussed. Peter Aucella said that Steve Stowell of the Historic Board has been talking to some of the mill complex owners about lighting up the smokestacks similar to the Wannalancit. Lighting in the Boott courtyard was also discussed. Ted Lavash said the DNA would like to see the Canal Walk lit up as a safety issue as well as an esthetic one. Molly commented on the banners downtown (which the CVB helped to set up) as being an excellent addition to downtown, but said the lighting around the College could be better. There are lights with burned out bulbs and non-functioning transformers. Peter said he would coordinate a meeting with the DEM and the Park Service to look into it. The state has responsibility for lighting at the college, and MCC is willing to help with maintenance if DEM facilitates it. Both MCC and the Hotel would like to see the lights along the Eastern Canal working again. Peter and Colleen agreed to work on the issue. Colleen also said the city electricians are quick to help when they are notified of problems, and that, this time of year, timers often need to be reset. So if anyone notices a problem they should call the City Electrical Department. Steve Syverson said he has seen a tremendous enthusiasm to do things in Lowell to make the city better, but there needs to be more follow-up on ongoing maintenance from all levels.

Ted reported that the DNA has three priorities right now: late-night noise (which is being addressed), recycling for downtown, and a playground for children 6 – 9 years. The City will give a half-acre of land near the Tsongas Arena for play space and the DNA is trying to raise funds to make it happen. Molly suggested donation boxes in stores as one way to help.

Steve said ALL, in cooperation with Brush Art Gallery, will have shows at the end of November through Christmas at the former Park Café on Market Street on weekends. The Ayer Lofts Gallery is also open weekends and Thursday evenings.

Mark, who has taken over as President of the DLBA, said the meeting held last night also brought out issues with the changes in the bus routes that some merchants feel is hurting them. They have asked Jim Scanlan of the LRTA to meet with them to discuss it. They also are planning a distribution of information about downtown stores to residents, and are planning a membership drive for the DLBA with the theme that the DLBA is the voice of business downtown, and provides networking, joint marketing and other benefits.

The next meeting of the Organizations will be held on Tuesday, November 29th at 8:30 AM at MCC.

The meeting adjourned at 9:45 AM.