Downtown Development Commission

DDC May 16th 2013 Craig Erezuma, Peter Flemming, Steve Whitehorn, Bob Landrigan, Eric Range, Russ Stern, Larry Jasen, Ben Cahill, Maureen Byrne, Marsha Ann Zimmerman. Public Open Meetings Act was read. April meeting minutes were introduced. Bob Landrigan, moved their acceptance, Larry Jansen seconded. Russ Stern and Maureen Byrne abstained. Bob Landrigan attended a meeting with the NFL regarding the upcoming Super Bowl. How we can attract people to our communities during the super bowl. Morris County Tourism advised we will be at the doorstep of the AFC team. We have an opportunity to attract people (especially those staying in the outlying hotel properties). Cannot use NFL logo with out express permission (trademarked). Eric opened the floor for discussion with the attending merchants. The DDC wants to invite merchants, landlords and business owners to give feed back as to what they want the DDC to do to assist them in succeeding in Madison. The DDC is a collaborative body under the auspices of the borough government which gives us a unique opportunity to interact with the borough on behalf of the business community. We have partnered with the Chamber on a number of projects; recently we partnered with MACA on the sidewalk art project. These efforts are aimed at improving and adding to the experience of living and doing business in Madison. The DDC is truly representative – its members are drawn from a diverse group of Madison stakeholders, as well as volunteers. May Day, in its 16th year, is lead by two volunteers and a DDC commissioner (Lisa Ellis). Bottle Hill Day, the Farmers Market, (GVR, opening June 6th through the end of October.) Other events are the Drew Town tour, FDU did a similar program this year. We work diligently to maintain the Madison downtown as a unique and attractive destination. These projects include new trestle lighting at the train station, which has added to the availability and attractiveness of parking on the train side of the rail road wall. The clock has needed repair and maintenance, as well as a complete upgrade of the clocks internal mechanisms. The DDC was instrumental in the Lincoln Place renovations. This summer, new tree grates will be installed to make it more walkable. The MAD has been bringing students downtown. The Gumbuster and two hour holiday parking, have helped to make downtown more attractive and to increase consumer traffic. The DDC is a key partner in the “Love Madison, Shop Madison” marketing effort. The DDC purchases the plastic logoed bag, and resells them, at a discount to area merchants. The Prize Patrol, Holiday Gift Card has infused $100k into the community over the years. In 2005, the latest “Change of Use” ordinance was put in place. It is very parking intensive; the DDC is interested in looking at ways of making it easier and faster to open a business in Madison while maintaining the character of the town. Madison Eyes move was eleven months from start to finish; we’d like to see if we can substantially cut down on the time involved in moving or opening a business in Madison. The meeting was opened up to comments from the public. Discussion with area merchants included a discussion on the Change of Use Ordinance, the need to improve traffic at the East End of Madison, including extending Bottle Hill Day to that part of town. Some merchants asked if the Christmas Parade could be moved to a Sunday, but it was noted that the DDC did not sponsor the parade. Pat Luciano submitted a parking proposal that dated from 1998 as a starting point for a discussion on parking. He noted that the Cook Avenue parking lot was in need of some beautification. Suggest we replace following four paragraphs with this paragraph. Nicole Francouer (1998 opened Rose City Framers). On Rosenet the DDC “how to open a business” needs to be updated on a more regular basis. The change of use ordinance informs the police and fire that a new business has opened. The problem is when you move from one use to another (ex retail to restaurant). Should be a mix between professional, retail and restaurant. {Jim Burnet said that the borough is working on a template that businesses could follow to alleviate the problems)(Craig spoke on the topic of sign and façade submissions – sometimes, there’s not enough to actually work with, which requires the committee to work more substantially with the tenant/landlord) For preliminary reviews with businesses, to make sure they are getting all the approvals they need at the same time. Brian O’Connor, Cho’s Martial Arts (East End business). How to get people down to East End. How to include Madison Plaza in town events. In regards to Bottle Hill Day, competing with Florham Park and Chatham martial arts programs. Eric commented that as a borough entity, we are proscribed from what we can and cannot exclude. Jim Burnet said the Farmers Market might be a Jerry Harmon Madison Photo Plus (45 years). Explained that he has stores in both Madison and Summit and that Madison’s downtown is more vibrant than Summit’s at this point in time. Pat Luciano parade should be Saturday or Sunday afternoon. If we did it that way, it might encourage people to stay downtown and shop. Parking Proposal made in 1998. Encompasses 98 parking spaces taking them out of the Cook Plaza parking lot and relocate them to a site nearby. (Central Avenue School). Cook Avenue Plaza needs new planting; it needs more than mulch. Not going to get better stores with out better parking. Bob Landrigan said downtown has an identity; what would help the East End would be to devel0p it’s own identity (similar to the different areas of Brooklyn). Jerry Harmon, Madison businesses did a lot of business with the borough, and he feels that has declined. There is a need to bid out, but the local government should be striving to do business with Madison businesses. Bob Conley said that he would take it back to council; some things trigger a bid threshold, but we should be striving to do as much business downtown as possible. Mel (Tivoli Designs) Reminded people that in a small town, everything is networking. She encouraged East End businesses to come to Chamber events. It was also mentioned that the members of the Thurday Morning Club take up a lot of parking in Cook Plaza parking lot during their meetings. John Morris, a past president and Member of Land Use Committee of the Chamber spoke. He had three areas of concern: Parking, including repaving of municipal lots and exploring additional areas for commercial and residential parking downtown. Attract new business Eliminate parking studies for small new businesses. Parking is a macro, not a micro issue. Streamline change of use application Reduce cost and application before the zoning board Allow outdoor alcohol consumption Permit LED lighting for signs In the ongoing “Westfield vs Madison” discussion, preserve the historic nature of downtown (what is unique to Madison) while embracing the twenty-first century. Madison now extends from Realogy to the Chatham line. Craig Erezuma spoke about LED lighting. LED is allowed – what is not allowed is seeing the lighting source. He also noted we should be using Google Maps to help drive business to Madison. Google Map Maker is the application. Drew University has used it. Barb Short from Quest Diagnostics spoke on their desire to be involved in the town, especially in the Mayor’s Executive Council. How employees can engage in the town. July 23rd second annual softball game (Quest v the Town). Bob Landrigan moved we skip the committee reports and Steve Whitehorn seconded it. NEW BUSINESS Cook and Elmer lots beautification. Offer matching grant up to $5000 to spruce up the parking spaces. Craig will get a map from Bob Vogel. Peter Flemming moved we set aside $5000 towards this project. Craig seconded. Motion passed. Start earmarking the parking permit fees to go towards improvements to the lots (Jim moved that it be the merchants, not the commuters). Quickbooks needs to be upgraded. It will cost $550. Peter Flemming moved we purchase the new program, and Bob Landrigan seconded it. Motion passed. Alternative Press has approached with an advertisement proposal $135 or $250 per month. Maureen moved we start an advertising program with them, and Craig seconded. Steve moved we table the discussion until next month when we will have more information on the program. The motion was tabled. Meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm.