CENTER CITY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
November 15, 2005

Present: Mehmed Ali, Colleen Cox, Larry Field, Marshall Field, Matt Fitzpatrick, Ken Lavallee, Bill Lipchitz, Joe Lipchitz, Jeanne Osborn, Molly Sheehy, and Terry Williams. Special Guests: Chuck Carney, City Parking Director, Tony Ouellette and Brian Fuller, Reliable Security Guard Agency.

The meeting opened at 8:35 AM.

City Parking Director Chuck Carney gave an update on the city parking garages since he took over. When he first started, there were some security issues including car break-ins and vandalism, but since then there have been great improvements. Security guards have been upgraded and the number has increased, they are mobile and able to react much quicker to issues, and plainclothes officers patrol randomly, including walking the stairwells.

The City has made a significant investment in equipment such as security cameras, where everything is recorded on a CD and reviewed by the Police Department. He is happy to report that there have been no break-ins in the last 6-9 months. Also, all 4 garages have new and improved lighting, and he has instituted a new management reporting system that has helped tremendously. He introduced Tony Ouellette who spoke about the escort service provided by Reliable Security.

Some members of the Committee were under the impression that the escort service, which has been in effect for almost a year, could escort patrons to and from their condos late at night, but Tony said this was not possible for several reasons including not being able to leave the garage unprotected and liability issues. However, they will escort parkers to and from their cars within the perimeter of the garage itself. They ask patrons to call ahead, preferably with a 4-hour notice, but will respond to a shorter notice if necessary. Currently, there are about 5 or 6 patrons using the service on a regular basis, and several more on an occasional basis. Parkers coming into the garage to get their car who have called ahead by at least 5 minutes, will be met by a guard at the main entrance and walked to their vehicle. Also, parkers who are leaving the vehicle in the garage can be met at their car and walked to the main gate. The service is advertised in all the garages, and a small card that can be carried with the parking pass is available with the phone number. Molly Sheehy pointed out that Middlesex has had excellent cooperation from the security service at the Lower Locks Garage, to the point where the guard will actually meet patrons on the walkway between the garage and the college.

Brian Fuller reiterated that security was greatly improved, and he commands all the staff in all 4 garages. He is on scene every day to provide supervision and management.

Chuck said that each garage has its own “personality”. For example, while John Street is mostly used by business people and workers, Market Street is used by residents and “the bar crowd”. The guards try to get the latter out of the garage as quickly and smoothly as possible at closing time. He said that the Davidson Street lot may not be available when and if the construction begins on the courthouse project in that area, because it will be used for construction vehicles and supplies. It is expected that the new JAM area garage will be on line before that happens. He said while only 3 garages (John Street, Lower Locks and Market Street) are open 24 hours right now, eventually all of them will be including the JAM Area garage. The Ayotte Garage next to the Arena closes at 10 PM unless there is an event, when it closes at 2 AM. When the housing at the Boott Mills comes on line, that garage will also be open 24 hours. Chuck also expects both the Market Street and John Street Garages will be operating at capacity by next year.

Chuck also pointed out that the garages are now operating without losses or city subsidy. Last year, the revenue exceeded the expenses by $700,000 and that about $600,000 was reinvested into the facilities in the form of improvements in lighting, automation, and security.

At the last meeting, Jeanne Osborn had asked about the parking ordinance that prohibits on-street parking on Middle and Market Streets from 2AM to 6AM between December 1st and March 31st. Jeanne had said a main reason for residents to park on the street rather than the garages, is that people don’t want to walk to and from the garage very late at night or in very cold weather, and she had asked that Parking Director Chuck Carney be invited to talk about the escort service in the garages. Learning today that the escort service is only available inside the garages and not to escort patrons to and from their condos, she asked what could be done to review the list of streets that have the ban and make changes to accommodate the new residents. She realizes that cars have to be off the street if it actually snows, but wants to allow overnight parking on non-snow nights. Last week, Traffic Engineer Mario Madrid said he would look into the question. Jeanne asked that the CCC contact the City Council Downtown Subcommittee and see if the Council would look into the question to determine what is the policy, how were the streets chosen, and can any changes be made to the plan.

Bill reminded members that the monthly meeting of stakeholder organizations will be held Tuesday, November 22nd at the CTI Volunteer Center 3rd Floor Conference Room at 169 Merrimack Street (The MCC Federal Building is not available).

The meeting adjourned at 9:30 AM.