Redevelopment Agency

MINUTES OF NORWICH REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING March 28, 2011 MEMBERS PRESENT Leland Loose Tom Marien Timothy Smith James Quarto Sofee Noblick MEMBERS ABSENT Anthony Jacobs Carol Maranda Jeremy Minter Marge Blizard OTHERS PRESENT Alan H. Bergren-City Manager Konnie Morell – Attorney Gary Evans- Community Development Director Claire Bessette-New London Day Michael O’Neill I. Call to order – Chairman T. Marien called the March 28, 2011 meeting to order at 5:05 P.M. II. Determination of Quorum It was determined a quorum was present. III. Approval of Minutes Motion to approve, L. Loose, 2nd T. Smith, S. Noblick abstained due to her absence, minutes of the February 28, 2011 meeting were approved. IV. Correspondence None V. Unfinished Business a) Potential redevelopment plans 1. Chestnut Street Area 2. Capeheart Mill Area L. Loose distributed a preliminary evaluation plan that he had prepared along with Bill Champagne & Maria Miranda for the Chestnut Street area and summarized the contents. He also pointed out that there are 18,000 jobs listed in the United States right now in the application developing field and only 1800 persons Redevelopment Agency March 28, 2011 Page -2- being trained in colleges now so this is an emerging field which should provide many opportunities for employment. Saving these existing historic mill buildings is in agreement with the POCD. This blighted area is bounded on either side by successful commercial development. T. Marien pointed out that commercial use would make the most sense to broaden the tax base. L. Loose requested volunteer help from the City Manager to field any correspondence or inquiries to ads placed on-line for businesses to re-locate to Norwich. T. Marien suggested that the City hire an intern. J. Quarto mentioned the site assessment reports which analyses the Buckingham School location and Chestnut Street location for potential location for a new Police Station. T. Marien pointed out that to develop a re-development plan you have to nail down end uses so you can “sell it to the community” and to the entity providing the money for the plan. L. Loose feels that there needs to be a vision for the entire downtown so things aren’t piecemealed. Discussion followed. T. Smith covered the Capeheart Mill area. Marge & Tim worked on a preliminary assessment for this area and this was distributed and summarized by T. Smith. He does not feel that the residential development that has been proposed for this area in the past is not the right direction for the City to be headed in. Discussion followed. T. Marien asked if there is a model of an Eco-Business Park that would be available to look at. T. Smith said he found one in Toronto and there are others are out there. J. Quarto mentioned that Dayton, Ohio has had resurgence due to eco friendly industrial development and that area could be looked at for a model. T. Marien suggests defining the “eco-business park” term and identifying the types of businesses that may locate there. b) Travel Budget-2011 Brownfields Convention Travelers to be reimbursed at the per diem federal government travel rate. VI. New Business a) Election of Officers-to be put on the agenda for the next meeting. T. Marien will be resigning after a new Chairperson is elected. VII. Citizen Comment Michael O’Neill commented on discussion on strategy for attracting potential developers and presented his view from his experiences on the best route for the City to take regarding this. VII. Adjournment Motion to adjourn, T. Smith, 2nd S. Noblick, meeting adjourned at 6:15 P.M.