CENTER CITY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
May 15, 2007

Present: Mehmed Ali, Larry Field, Marshall Field, Ted Lavash, Bill Lipchitz, Jeanne Osborn, Theresa Park, Chris Samaras, Molly Sheehy, and Steve Syverson.

The meeting opened at 8:35 AM.

President Mehmed Ali reminded members that there will not be a meeting next week as Tuesday is Philanthropy Day at the Double Tree Hotel. The next CCC Meeting will be the monthly Stakeholders Meeting at Middlesex CC.

Ali reported that the Calendar Project Committee has received sponsorships from MCC, LGH, Saints memorial, the Chamber, CVB, and Enterprise Bank. Ali again asked that anyone who has specific dates for 2008 events that should be in the calendar should please send him the information.

The work plan for this year was discussed. Ali asked that the spreadsheet from last year be updated and distributed in time for the Stakeholders Meeting on the 29th. Ali will contact Traffic Engineer Jeff Gomes, who is coordinating the work of the engineering consultants, and invite him to the May 29th meeting. Another issue that was discussed was graffiti in the downtown. Ali will invite Mike Desmarais from Neighborhood services to the next meeting as well.

Theresa reported that the third session of the downtown summit will be on Monday, June 21st.

Ted lavash said that a recent meeting of the Lowell DNA with Police Chief Lavallee revealed that the Police Department is down to 211 cops when their normal strength is about 250. The DNA is concerned about a potential budget cut that would reduce the department by an additional 2%, and may seek a letter of support from the CCC at the next meeting.

Molly Sheehy said that MCC would be doing some art work in the Middle Street Park (“Derby Park”) to spruce it up. This led to a discussion of murals that had been painted on some downtown buildings in the past, and also about some old advertising signs that are fading away on some buildings. Steve Syverson said that ALL would be interested in restoring the signs in such a way as to make them look old but fresher to recreate the feel of Lowell in earlier days. ALL and COOL are also working on an “Art in the Windows” project for the Folk Festival, in which art would be displayed and be voted on by the public.

Chris Samaras reported that Hawaii was a great place for his honeymoon, and that the COOL-Lowell Plan study on the economics of culture will be released soon.

There was a brief discussion about the agenda for the May Stakeholders Meeting on the 29th. It will include a discussion of the workplan for approval, invited guests (Jeff Gomes, Mike Desmarais, and Tim Shanahan (JAMBRA)), and reports from member organizations.

The meeting adjourned at 9:25 AM.