City Council Economic / Downtown Development Sub Committee

CITY COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE 2/14/2017 - Minutes 1. Roll Call In City Council, Roll Call recorded three present. (C. Samaras, C. Leary, C. Milinazzo). Others present were Christine McCall (Inspectional Services); Kevin Coughlin (DPD); Manager Murphy; Dianne Tradd (DPD); C. Mercier; and C. Belanger. 1.I. Economic Development SC February 14, 2017 2. Meeting Called To Order C. Samaras called meeting and noted those in attendance. 3. Order Of Business 3.I. Discussion: 1. Bike Trail; 2. Economic Development Report. Manager Murphy introduces Ms. McCall to inform council regarding potential petition of Gervais Dealership for increased parking at their facility. Ms. McCall noted that they would need to go before the Conservation Commission to address flood zone issues and that they have not yet filed a petition. C. Milinazzo questioned the paving permit and the need to have storm water controls. Manager Murphy noted as process moves along he would keep body informed. Jane Calvin (Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust) commented on use of the natural resources in the City including the Concord River Greenway. Ms. Calvin commented on the need for the bike trail to connect from Gervais property to the Bruce Freeman Trail and provided maps and agreements to support the position. C. Milinazzo questioned the linkage behind the Target Plaza on Plain Street. Ms. Calvin  C. Milinazzo questioned the paving permit and the need to have storm water controls. Manager Murphy noted as process moves along he would keep body informed. Jane Calvin (Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust) commented on use of the natural resources in the City including the Concord River Greenway. Ms. Calvin commented on the need for the bike trail to connect from Gervais property to the Bruce Freeman Trail and provided maps and agreements to support the position. C. Milinazzo questioned the linkage behind the Target Plaza on Plain Street. Ms. Calvin provided update regarding Concord River Greenway noting the history and the amount of development time in the area. Ms. Calvin noted that the greenway is used often and pointed out the current status on greenway and the amount of work left to be done on both sides of the river. C. Samaras commented on the partnership of the City and the Trust throughout the years. Ms. Calvin commented on the importance of trail linkage under the Connector and noted the funding and ease of engineering involved in that endeavor. C. Leary noted a conceptual plan would be useful to understand the project. Ms. Calvin noted the linkage would have a regional effect in the area and that there a regional approach with each project. C. Milinazzo recognized that National Grid and Centennial would have to provide assistance to complete projects. Mr. Coughlin provided the economic report outlining five different areas in the City. Mr. Coughlin commented on the Cross River Area (Pawtucketville) noting the success of private marketing of the space. Mr. Coughlin outlined the downtown area noting the success of ground floor occupancy and housing units being developed. Mr. Coughlin noted big companies coming into Lowell are providing high wages and workers are locating here; as indicated by CrossPoint Towers and Connector Park. C. Leary noted the rise of employees in the area who are occupying the buildings. Mr. Coughlin noted the following two areas of development at Hamilton Canal District and Thorndike Corridor. Mr. Coughlin noted the following factor contributing to success as safety; transportation; administration; vitality;favorable zoning; incentive tool box for new business; state and regional programs; and improved neighborhoods. 4. Adjournment In City Council Motion to Adjourn by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Leary. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 6:29 PM. Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk