CENTER CITY COMMITTEE STAKEHOLDER REPRESENTATIVES
MEETING MINUTES
April 25, 2006

The meeting opened at 8:33 AM.

Present: The Stakeholder groups were represented by the following members: Artists, Steve Syverson; Building Owners, Marshall Field; Community Banking, Matt Fitzpatrick; Chamber of Commerce, Jeanne Osborn, Cultural Organizations, L.Z. Nunn; Middlesex CC, Molly Sheehy; Non-Profit Corporations, Bill Lipchitz; Lowell Police Dept., Ken Lavallee; Lowell DNA, Ted Lavash; NMCOG, Bob Flynn; Retailers, Mark Coddaire; CVB, Jennifer Shea, Lowell National Park; Mehmed Ali; Lowell Festival Foundation; Janet Leggat.

Absent: City of Lowell, DPD, Susan DeMari; UMass Lowell, Dr. Joseph Lipchitz; Lowell High School, Roxanne Howe; LRTA, Jim Scanlan; Restaurants, Frankie Descoteaux; UTEC, Juan Carlos Rivera; Lowell Plan, Jim Cook.

Also present were Alternates Larry Field (Building Owners) and Sara Khun-Leng (Lowell Police Department).

Due to not having the Minutes of the Annual Meeting available, on a motion by Marshall Field, seconded by Jeanne Osborn, it was voted: to waive the reading and acceptance of the minutes of March 28, 2006.

President Bill Lipchitz informed the members that a work plan for the year had been discussed at several of the informal meetings and that the suggestions for potential goals for the year were listed on the agenda. The first goal related to making the downtown more pedestrian friendly by advocating for a study of crosswalk use, adding signage, painting lanes and educating the public. The Lowell DNA is also pushing for repainting. Ken Lavallee said the Police Department is responsible for painting the lanes but the rest of the items come under the Traffic Engineer. (That post is currently vacant and DPD staff is overseeing the duties). Steve Syverson reported that the green light at the intersection of Palmer and Market Street only changes to red (to let pedestrians cross) when a button is pushed, and does not control the traffic exiting from the Roy Garage. Ken said the painting will be done by the LPD and that he was looking into doing some enforcement activities. It was suggested that the Committee ask the DPD to attend a meeting to discuss other things that could be done.

The second potential goal relating to the development of the Paige Street area was advocated by Mehmed Ali. He said the area has fallen into disrepair since the LRTA buses have moved out of the downtown but that some plans had been proposed for adding some commercial activity and beautification.

The third goal is to help integrate new residents into the downtown with activities such as Newcomers Night and Destination World, something the CCC has been involved in for a while.

Goal number 4 speaks of finding ways to develop a link between the Lawrence Mill area and the main part of downtown. The idea is to promote downtown to the new residents of Lawrence Mills perhaps via shuttle bus or other pathways.

The fifth goal is to start planning for the expansion of the downtown due to the development of the JAM area. Once a pedestrian connection is made between Dutton Street and Jackson Street, whole new opportunities arise for the center of Lowell.

The last goal listed, taking a position on the potential move of the High School from the downtown, was tabled because it was thought to be premature.

After some discussion, it was agreed to categorize the goals as A) one-year goals; B) regular ongoing activities; and C) long range goals related to development. On a motion by Matt Fitzpatrick, seconded by Jeanne Osborn, it was voted: to adopt the five goals by category as follows: The “A” goals are working on the crosswalk issues and developing a link between the Lawrence Mills and Merrimack Street; the “B” goal is to continue to work on integrating new residents into the downtown by working with COOL and others on Destination World, Newcomers night, and other activities that would reach out to new residents; and the “C” goals are developing the Paige Street Area and planning for the expansion of downtown resulting from the implementation of the JAM plan. The work plan will be written up and subcommittees will be formed to work on individual items.

The next item on the agenda relates to the impending public hearing and vote at tonight’s City Council meeting regarding the raising of the parking rates. Ted Lavash reported that the DNA is very opposed because the residents would be the hardest hit by having their monthly rates increased from $48 to $60. They were not against the last increase because it was needed to increase the security and cleanliness of the garages (which happened as advertised), but this increase would likely cause non-residents to use the garages less and lead to reduced revenue while making the residents and the workers pay more. Marc Coddaire said that the DLBA was split on the issue, but that some saw the increase as worthwhile if it gets the new garage built and would not impact the businesses that much. He said the DLBA has been working with the Parking Department for other concessions and would not want to see that progress interrupted. Jeanne Osborn suggested a surcharge on the developers would be a more fair way to raise the money, while Bill suggested that the increased tax revenue resulting from the development of the JAM area would easily pay for the difference in the debt service if the city bonded an additional $4.5 Million to build the garage. He said the progress made to the garages and to getting people to use them would be undone by a rate increase and that it would set the downtown back. On a motion by Mehmed Ali, seconded by Jeanne Osborn, it was voted: to go on record as opposing the rate increase and to propose that the City Council look at other means to raise the needed revenue to build the garage. One member voted in opposition.

On a motion by Steve Syverson, seconded by Marshall Field, it was voted: to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 AM.