HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-12-20 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes
BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 20, 2016 @ 5:15 PM
City Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes
Councilors Present: Baldacci, Graham, Nealley, Nichols, Sprague, Tremble and Weston
City Staff Present: Bolduc, Davis (Jefferson), Parke Clemons, Collins, Conlow, Emery,
Lundy, Theriault
Committee Chair Nealley called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.
1. Commission on Cultural Development Grant Recommendation
Councilor Baldacci moved staff recommendation, Councilor Tremble seconded.
Vote unless doubted, no doubt.
2. Ordinance Amendment – Parking Spaces in Neighborhood Service District Parcels
Councilor Baldacci moved staff recommendation, Councilor Tremble seconded.
Vote unless doubted, no doubt.
3. Amendment to a Lease Agreement – Eldur Corporation
Councilor Baldacci moved staff recommendation, Councilor Graham seconded.
Vote unless doubted, no doubt.
4. Amendment to a Lease Agreement – JSI Store Fixtures, Inc.
Councilor Baldacci moved staff recommendation, Councilor Graham seconded.
Vote unless doubted, no doubt.
5. Pickering Square Renovations
Public Comment.
Joshua Gass – 30 Blackstone Street – Chair DBP
Unanimous rejection of proposal #4, conflict with current organizational goals of
the DBP
Kim Myerdierks - Transportation for All
Hasn’t been able to connect with Transportation for All regarding this issue, so
she’s speaking o/b/o herself. Not opposed to bus moving, providing it’s within
downtown area, not on outskirts. We want to bring people into downtown, and
promote downtown
Carol Epstein – 43 Vance Avenue
Support option #4 to create additional parking and relocate bus hub to alternate
location.
Kierie Piccinicci – Market Street - Outgoing chair of Commission on
Cultural Development, Broadway Corridor Advisory Committee, Walk
and Roll Founder
cautioning against moving too quickly - before you whittle down options, please
hold a public forum to get an understanding of citizen’s suggestions.
Adam Moscovitz – Norway Road – New Proprieter Nichols Block
Is for option #4.
Niles Parker – Director, Maine Discovery Museum
Option #3 would make dangerous situation on Broad Street/Merchants Plaza.
Option #4 would be going in right direction, has questions – could the parking
spaces be designed to use on weekends, how can we program the space
outside? Wants to see the space designed for programming.
Louie Morrison – Owns Gym on Columbia Street
All about the green space, thinks that option #4 would be the best option. All
for the bus too – just doesn’t think that it’s in the best place right now.
Hank Garfield – Nelson Street
Option #4 is the worst idea he’s ever seen. Bangor does not really have a
parking problem, it has an over reliance on the car problem. Choices are clear
against option #4.
Brad Ryder – Downtown Business Owner & Bangor Resident
Hope that consideration is given to option #4. Area previously heavily used
parking lot. Hope that consider perhaps a hybrid of option #3 and option #4.
Thinks that if Pickering Square was reconfigured, it would be a great benefit to
downtown.
Amy Blackstone – Resident/Property Owner 58 Main Street
Surprised to hear about the parking issue because the parking garage is
frequently “empty.” Believes that more research is needed. If the concern is the
condition/size/noise/smell of busses, we should find ways to improve bus fleet
vs. inconveniencing/marginalizing users.
Suzanne Kelly – husband & her manage/own property
downtown/around city
Not for more parking. Most tenants glad to have bus downtown.
Ann Marie Orr – Resident of Bangor on Essex St, 11 Central Restaurant
Having a bus depot in another location is crucial because that spot is not made
for what we’re using it for. Downtown does need more parking because of the
vibrancy that is going on. More parking – yes. Should this space be turned into
parking – no. Can it be utilized for food trucks, movies, brings tourists
downtown. Recommendation for multiple uses.
Conrad Lumm – Cedar Street Resident
Moved here from NY a couple months ago, First thing he looked at was public
transportation, and if adequate. Quickly felt housing options adjacent to
transport wasn’t always ideal. Second thought, “is the city still walk-able?” Yes
– made him comfortable moving here.
Justin Russell – Downtown Resident – Hammond Street
Options #1 and #2 unviable options - EDA/Flood issues totally understand ,
cost prohibitive. “Consultants unable to locate available, affordable, viable
location.” Continued commercial development makes it all harder, as more
properties are occupied, and more investment and properties values have gone
up. Up for discussion, worth discussing more.
Greg Edwards – 91 Pearl Street - Active with Walk & Roll, Bangor
Greendrinks, FOLKS
Urban renewal from the 60’s, originally this square was a market/hub/place of
commerce.
Flattened it, made it a parking lot from the edge of WMS to “as far as you can
see.” This saw a hollowing out of downtown. Took a long time to get back to
feeling like we’re proud of downtown. Creation of more inviting public spaces,
green, accessible to *all* users. Incorporate busses, people, make it a place
people want to come to and visit. This could be the major hub of our town, but
needs tweaking.
Claire Davitt - Librarian @ Bangor Public Library, resides at 15 Highland
Lane
Have questions about 1&2, supportive of #3, very opposed to #4. Market the
parking better.
Rick Harnum – Webber Group
Option #4 does maximize area for vendor use for special events. Opens up area
that would allow massive utilization of space.
Staff asked Council for clarification on next steps and direction. The Committee
expressed interest in revisiting the options for bus hub locations that were listed in the
bus study, as well as other ideas, and continuing to explore options for Pickering
Square. Staff will research and report back in January 2017.
Meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Bickford
Administrative Assistant
Community & Economic Development