Downtown Business District

Downtown Business District Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 28, 2018 330 Main Street, Suite 200 Middletown, CT. Attendees: Marie Kalita Leary (Chair) Cathy Duncan (Chamber of Commerce) Diane Gervais (Commissioner) Mike DeSena (Police Department) Marc Levin (Commissioner) Geen Thazhampallath (Director of Parking) Mike DiPiro (Commissioner) Kevin Elak (Health Department) Mary Ann Perrotti (Commissioner) Peter Harding (Harding Development Group) Jennifer Alexander (Commissioner) Trevor Davis (Commercial Real Estate) Tom Ford (Commissioner) Ann Marie Cannata McEwen (Buttonwood Tree) Lisa Melaven (DBD Office) Police Report – Mike DeSena Mike reports the holiday season is upon us. Extra patrols and beat officers will be patrolling downtown throughout the holiday. The towing of vehicles from Metro Square during business hours has eased up. Public Works – None Parking Report – Geen Thazhampallath Geen report the Arcade surface lot is very well lit. Work is on going with the stairway from Riverview Center down to the Arcade lot. Encourage “free” long term parking availability in surface Arcade lot on Dingwall Ave to customers and employees of downtown businesses.  Kiosks covering (Booths) are delivered for Melilli. Will add another kiosk and booth to location outside EG Salon.  Effective November 23rd, the day after Thanksgiving, and every Saturday thereafter until end of December, the lots will be free parking; but meters on streets will be enforced as we did it last year. Planning- Tom Marano Tom reports via email - Middletown Works, the Working Cities Challenge initiative, is holding a public launch on 12/6 from 3:30-5:00 at CHC. We invite all the DBD members to attend.  Hajjar Development got its CO for the apartments. Tenants can now move in.  Green Street RFP: The EDC heard presentations by the responders about their plans for the facility at its last meeting. There are 3 responders, St. Vincent DePaul, Middletown Green Community Center and CHC. The EDC will discuss the responses at its next meeting on 12/11.  The Whey Station is moving into the former Keagan’s Pub location.  A grocery/deli owner is looking at the former Liberty check cashing facility on the corner of Main & Ferry St.  We have interest from another brewer for Keating Park. (aka Remington Rand)  Developers continue to kick the tires for residential and mixed use projects at various sites across the City. Health Department – Kevin Elak Kevin reports Sal Nesci is retiring from the City of Middletown’s Health Department. Kevin will be working in an acting capacity. The Health Department is working with the Whey Station opening. Establishments were notified regarding the romaine lettuce recall. Chamber of Commerce – Cathy Duncan Cathy reports Holiday on Main is going well and will be open every Saturday leading up to Christmas from 10:00am – 2:00pm; with Holiday Story Time, Horse & Wagon Rides, Fun Train etc. More information visit: www.holidayonmain.com  Thursday, December 6th - Monthly CBB Meeting at the Chamber of Commerce, from 8:00-9:00a.m.  Wednesday, December 19th – Middlesex Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, guest Speaker State of Connecticut Governor Daniel P. Malloy, at the Red Lion Hotel in Cromwell from 7:00-9:00 a.m.  Taste of Middlesex – Week of January 14th – 20th. Minutes –  Motion to approve October minutes made by Marc Levin  2nd by Mike DiPiro  Minutes accepted. Treasurer’s report – Mike DiPiro The 1st installment for the 2018-2019 fiscal year has been received and deposited into our account. Mike reports all other expenses are reasonable and in line.  Motion to approve by Marc Levin  2nd by Tom Ford  Financials accepted Board Member Update – Marie Kalita Leary  Gary Nagler reports via email the overall concern about the restaurant next to the Inn which is now in year two of being unsightly and a trash collection area. Overall not good for the hotel business.  Mary Ann Perrotti reports Buds and Blossoms were able to save us money by reusing 20 shrubs from last year’s winter plantings.  Diane Gervais reports the City of Middletown purchased 150/$25 gift cards, for their Health Fair. Gift Bags/Tissue has been distributed. Gift card sales are going well.  Jen Alexander reports the “Wayfinding Sign” project is coming along.  Mike DiPiro reports the first installment for the 2018-2019 fiscal year has been deposited.  Tom Ford reports there has been great interest in the Midd-Town Apartments. The US Naval Base is conducting a 7 month training program down in Groton and potentially looking into leasing apartments.   Marie Kalita Leary/Commissioners will be reviewing the proposals from the 4 website design companies. Discussion at the January 2019 meeting.  Marc Levin reports in addition to our television and radio advertising we could add a promotion with Kiss 95.7 which would be a giveaway of DBD gift cards. This would cost us $250.00 worth of “downtown gift cards”.  Motion to approve by Jennifer Alexander  2nd by Diane Gervais  Promotion accepted New Business –  Motion to adjourn by Marie Kalita Leary  2nd by Jennifer Alexander  Adjourn accepted