Business & Industrial Development Authority

Nashua Business and Industrial Development Authority Meeting Minutes June 18, 2010 1. Opening: The regular meeting of the Nashua Business and Industrial Development Authority was called to order at 8:45 am on June 18, 2010 in Room 208 of Nashua City Hall by Chairman Jack Tulley. Present: Chairman Jack Tulley, Vice Chair Don Zizzi, Carl Andrade, Jason Haviland, Brad Vear, Dean Jackson, John Stabile, Mayor Donnalee Lozeau, Alderman Brian McCarthy. Absent: Mark Prolman, Stephen Michon Other Attendees: Tom Galligani 2. Approval of Meeting Minutes MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM MAY 21, 2010 MADE BY JOHN STABILE. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY CARL ANDRADE AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Bridge Street Waterfront Redevelopment Project T. Galligani gave update on the Bridge Street Project. o Studies Completed: The housing and transportation study was completed by consultants hired by Renaissance Downtowns. Copies were distributed to the entire BIDA membership earlier this week via email. o Design Charrette: Renaissance will hold a second design charrette next Wednesday, June 23rd. The charrette is a continuation of the planning work already underway. The current design concept, the traffic and market study will be used as a launching point for discussing the project and collecting feedback from the Nashua community in order to further refine the plan. o Mayor’s Forum: There was a discussion about the recent Mayor’s Forum on Downtown Development, which included a presentation by Renaissance Downtowns. Some Forum participants expressed confusion about the scope of the project: Bridge Street only or a wider initiative to develop Downtown Nashua. o CSO/Jackson Street: T Galligani met with representatives of the Jackson Street parcel, David Aponovich, along with City Treasurer D Fredette. They discussed the City’s desire to acquire his property as the new site of the CSO Screening and Disinfection facility. They discussed acquisition options with the owner. Followup is expected. The BIDA membership asked about site details and how much taxes were owed on the property. The City will need to more research in order to understand an acquisition strategy that protects the City from liability related to contamination. o Skate Park Relocation: No status change. Page 1 of 3 D Zizzi asked about the status of the CSO relocation report. T Galligani indicated that the report is complete. No substantive changes were made from the draft contract. There was discussion about all of the items that have been contemplated for relocation, including the cell tower, ballfield, and the skatepark. These discussions will become more relevant once Renaissance’s concept plan is finalized and presented to the BIDA. o Housing Study: D Zizzi asked about how the study was developed and who was involved with the report. D Zizzi was unsatisfied with the report and its lack of specificity. D Jackson explained that the study identifies two bookends (Bridge Street and Downtown). Comprehensive upgrades are needed to maximize the potential. J Stabile is frustrated with the slow pace of progress of the site and the expansion of Renaissance’s interest in developing multiple sites throughout Nashua. D Lozeau indicated that the findings are not a surprise, as the site is a difficult one that will require substantial investment on the site and around the site in order to make it viable. Phasing may be required. B Vear commented that the report didn’t consider the potential housing market in Hudson. D Zizzi and B Vear suggested that specific questions be forwarded to Renaissance for a response: o “What was the scope of the data for the housing study and the transportation study?” o “What was the scope of the study? o “What was the original scope of work given to the consultants? o “How much were the consultants paid? o “What was the rationality of their choice for a geographic scope of the traffic study?” o “What input will NRCP provide in relation to the Hudson side?” T Galligani will email these questions to Renaissance Downtowns with the expectation of receiving a response before the next meeting. D Lozeau described the City’s evaluation of the Labine Building, which recently was damaged badly by a fire. She fears that it might not be viable to renovate, despite the City’s desire to restore the building. The City issued an RFP, which Renaissance responded to. All of the RFP responses showed that the site is not viable to redevelop right way, given the weak real estate market. Studies of the structural integrity of the building are still pending, but don’t appear promising. 4. Mohawk Tannery Update No new update on this project. D Lozeau indicated that the City requested assistance from our Federal delegation for funds to demolish the building. J Stabile thinks that Page 2 of 3 there is a chance to put together a community-based volunteer effort to demolish the property, if funds are not allocated. 5. Other Opportunity Areas There was discussion of the Bronstein Apartments, the Millyard project and other areas that will be opened up by the construction of the Broad Street Parkway. D Lozeau is working with the Board of Alderman to set up a meeting in the coming months to discuss future land use planning in the area. It is the intention of the Mayor to involve the BIDA in these discussions. 6. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 9:11 am by Chairman Jack Tulley. The next general meeting will be at 8:15 am on July 16, 2010 in the Auditorium. Minutes submitted by:T Galligani Page 3 of 3