1997-02-20 City of Beverly
Economic and Community Development Council
MINUTES
Economic and Community Development Council
February 20, 1997 Meeting
Memhers present: Chairman Joyce Golin, Vice-Chairman Bill
Rodonhaugh, Dick Moohey, Sandra Reinecke, Nicholas Zavolas, Dawn
Goodwin; also present Planning Director Tina Cassidy
Golin asks if there are any changes that should be made to the
draft minutes of the January 23, 1997 meeting.
Reinecke:
motion to approve the January 23, 1997 meeting
minutes as drafted, seconded by Rodenbaugh. All
members in favor, motion carries.
Cassidy updates members with respect to the MBTA parking garage
project. She tells members that a public meeting will be held
Wednesday, March 5, 1997. She also explained that there are two
sites with three options that are being considered for construction
of a 500 space parking garage, the first site with two options
would be the block at Rantou! and Pleasant Street, the second site
being River Stredt.
Cassidy tells members that one design could include retail stores,
and that there has been input from the residents of the Gateway
expressing their interest in paying a monthly fee to obtain a
parking space.
Zavolas asks how receptive the MBTA is to the idea of establishing
retail stores. Cassidy states that the MBTA is open to the idea
but with reservations. Zavolas comments that it would be nice to
have something for the public to visualize at the meeting with
respect to the idea of establishing retail stores within the
parking garage. Cassidy states that schematic plans will be
available the night of the public meeting.
Rodenbaugh states that it would be a plus for the City to exploit
Commuter Rail Services.
Zavolas asks if there is one location or another that has any
pluses or minuses to consider. Cassidy states that the Rantoul
Masnch. 01915-508-921-
Minutes of the ECDC
February 20, 1997
page two
Zavolas states that city officials should point out in their
discussion, situations that may take place within the next five
years to possibly draw people's interest.
Rodenbaugh states that
going to park if retail
be full?
the City needs to
stores are put in,
look at where cars are
will the parking garage
Golin states that the group has to be concerned with the economic
development of the City and that we need to focus on all the
positive points.
Mooney asks if there has been any feedback from business owners
(i.e. gas station, Mike's Bar, etc.). Cassidy states yes, there
has been initial, positive feedback from businesses who would
consider selling to the State.
Zavolas states that
committee is going to
for our position.
it is important for the members, if the
take a position, to articulate the reasons
Reinecke: motion that the ECDC send a letter with respect to the
facts of long range view points, to be drafted by Cassidy
and approved by Golin to be read at the public meeting,
seconded by Rodenbaugh. All members in favor, motion
carries.
Next, Golin updates members with respect to Walgreen's proposal for
use of the Washington Beadle school site. She tells members that
they are still in the negotiation phase but that some suggestions
have already been offered, including one to eliminate one of the
proposed entrances onto Chase Street because trucks cannot make
that turn.
Cassidy states that a landscaping plan needs to be submitted.
Golin tells members that the fund transfer for demolition of the
Washington Beadle school was approved by the City Council at a
special meeting on February 11, 1997. She states that there is a
question as to whether or not it has to go before the Historic
District Commission. Members of the administration and the
Historic District Ce~mission are examining the Ordinance.
Next, Cassidy updates the members with respect to the Airport Road
project, explaining that they are still waiting for a response from
the DEP regarding the appeal of the decision for a Request for
Determination Of Applicability issued by the Conservation
Commission.
Minutes of the ECDC
February 20, 1997
page three
Next, members get an update from Mooney with respect to the new
park and ride operation at Cummings Center. He explains that
people who take public transportation can park at this lot for a
monthly fee of $40.00 and take a bus to and from the train station.
He stated that the park and ride operation will start in mid March.
Mooney then updates the members with respect to the tourism
project. He mentions that he attended a day long retreat
discussing Beverly's historic long range plans. He explained that
a brochure will be dispensed and displayed at the National Park
Service facility in Salem, which will then direct people to
Beverly's historic attractions.
Golin mentions that the City may want to consider cleaning and
improving the land behind the Balch House for parking purposes.
Cassidy suggests that a letter be written on behalf of the
Committee, to the Mayor, suggesting visitor parking be constructed
behind the Balch House to facilitate an increase in visitor traffic
to this site.
Reinecke asks if the land is controlled by the Recreation
Department. Golin states she is not sure.
Cassidy offers to review the assessors' records for the site,
ascertain the historical society's interest in the parcel, and
update the Committee at the next meeting.
Mooney explains that the display will be ready by May and that the
City should anticipate visitors by this summer.
Next, Zavolas asks for an update with respect to improvement plans
for the Beverly Common. Cassidy explains that bid specifications
need to be done and that a meeting is scheduled for Wednesday of
next week to get the specifications out and then the project will
continue this spring.
Next, Zavolas asks if anyone heard any news about the re-
beautifying of Independence Park. Cassidy states that she is not
aware of anything.
Rodenbaugh states that someone is doing something because a water
spigot has been installed. Goodwin states that the volunteer
Coastal Access Group installed the water spigot as well as a bench.
Next, Zavolas states that he is interested in canvassing all
businesses on Cabot Street through to the water front and take the
questionnaire drafted, to get a sense from these small businesses
as to how to improve the businesses in this area. Cassidy
mentioned that it may be helpful to him to have a copy of the
Minutes of the ECDC
February 20, 1997
page four
design standards recently adopted by the City Council for such
pedestrian amenities as benches, trash receptacles, light poles,
etc.
Goodwin explains that she drafted a letter to Melissa Reed,
Director of the Beverly Chamber of Commerce explaining that there
is money available to commercial property owners in the downtown
area for the purpose of handicap accessorizing the entrances of
their buildings. She stated that it would be on a first come,
first serve basis.
Next, Rodenbaugh mentions that the information Golin found on the
Internet about Beverly is approximately 2-7 years old, that it is
in a good format but needs to be updated. Golin states that she
will take on this project.
Zavolas: motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mooney.
All members in favor, motion carries.
The next meeting of the ECDC will be held on March 20, 1997.
Meeting is adjourned at 8:00 p.m.