City Council Economic / Downtown Development Sub Committee

Office of the City Clerk City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674.4161 • F: 978.970.4007 www.LowellMA.gov Lowell City Council Michael Q. Geary City Clerk Regular Meeting Minutes Date: Jan 10, 2017 Time: 5:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA Economic Development SC January 10, 2017. PRESENT: Present on Roll Call were Chairman Samaras. C. Leary and C. Milinazzo. Also present were C. Mercier, Joe Giniewicz (DPD), Kevin Coughlin (DPD), Nicolas Bosonetto (Traffic Engineer), Diane Tradd (DPD), Allison Lamey (DPD), Claire Ricker (DPD), Chris Hayes (DPD) and Phil Ferriera (DPD). MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Chairman Samaras called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM in the Council Chamber. ORDER OF BUSINESS: C. Samaras outlined reason for meeting is to provide overview of Hamilton Canal District project (HCD). Manager Murphy began presentation entitled “HCD Project Update – January 2017. Manager outlined area of construction noting the National Parks new bus parking area which would open valuable space in garages. Manager commented on Connector Ramp Project used to ease traffic and he outlined costs as well. Manager spoke on Thorndike Street Widening noting the redesign will benefit all. Manager outlined South Common Phase 1 noting use of grant money to complete project. C. Leary commented on the ease of traffic. Mr. Bosonetto noted the traffic will decrease substantially. Manager noted the Lord Overpass redesign commenting on different options. C. Leary requested time line for the project. Manager outlined the Judicial Center project indicating the amount of money State is contributing. Manager commented on the Genesis project indicating the location and the changing plans associated with it. C. Leary questioned time frame on this project and the Manager indicated same and that the City would have final approval of the type of building City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 2) going in the location. C. Samaras noted City control on this development is critical. C. Leary noted time frame was optimistic. Manager spoke on Watermark project and indicated that the new infrastructure must be established before they can finalize their plans. Ms. Ricker outlined new infrastructure plans which would involve improved sidewalks and streets as well as a pedestrian bridge all supported by grant money. C. Milinazzo questioned if any agreement had been signed with Watermark. C. Milinazzo questioned if Enel or FERC had issues with these plans. Ms. Ricker indicated all such issues were resolved. Manager next commented on the HCD parking garage noting it would be built with or without a land swap. C. Samaras questioned the size of land to be swapped and was informed that it was not very large. C. Mercier questioned capacity of the garage. C. Milinazzo questioned if land swap would need vote of Congress. Manager outlined process and stated it was procedural. Manager outlined use of temporary parking during the whole development process. C. Samaras noted the presentation outlined the time and money involved with the project and questioned the residential and commercial mix. Manager noted market study being done to determine best use of site as compared to Master Plan of 2008. Ms. Lamey commented on study. C. Leary questioned who marketing partners were. Mr. Coughlin outlined upcoming open house for the area as aggressive marketing and self-promotion. C. Leary noted Winn Development should be included in that open house. C. Milinazzo noted that other Lowell successes should be featured as well. Manager noted there was a lot of public money in the project and that the DPD staff has done great work to date. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Leary. So voted. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Leary “To Adjourn”. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 6:22 PM. Michael Q. Geary City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov