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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-18 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Tuesday, September 18, 2012 City Council Chambers Minutes Councilors: Gratwick, Blanchette, Durgin, and Sprague Staff: Conlow, Vanadestine, Bolduc, Pereira, Bird Chair Gratwick called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Extension of Lease Agreement with Vicki L. Trundy. 2. Amendment to Lease Agreement with Stillwater Enterprises, Inc. 3. Amendment to Lease Agreement with FGS/CMT, Inc. 4. Amendment to Lease Agreement with Penquis. Councilor Durgin moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilor Sprague seconded the motion. Chair Gratwick asked why there are different rates of increases amongst the lease agreements. Bolduc explained that each lease is individualized and based upon size of the area leased, duration of the lease, and inflation. The motion to approve the Consent Agenda passed. Regular Agenda 5. 227 Pine Street – Amendment to Disposition. Heitmann shared before and after photos of 227 Pine Street. He explained that the City acquired the property for unpaid taxes and put out an RFP for the property to be rehabilitated. During that process, there were numerous complaints from neighbors and the RFP was subsequently awarded to the abutting property owner, Nicki Lowell along with her brother and sister-in-law. The agreement provided for a purchase price, for the City to demolish the building at 227 Pine Street and the buyer to construct an attached two-car garage with room above and a breezeway. Due to financial constraints in the recent changes in the economy they have not been able to start construction. The starting date is November 1, 2012 and they have asked for an extension of that date. Staff recommended a two-year extension of the agreement. 2 Councilor Durgin moved to accept Staff recommendation. The motion was seconded by Councilor Blanchette. The motion passed unanimously. 6. 2012 Economic Development Marketing Plan and Signage. Vanadestine outlined the draft Marketing Plan for the City and the Region. As part of this process the intent is to also include a signage component. It is Staff’s recommendation that a collaborative group effort be initiated to include the Downtown Bangor Partnership, the Chamber, the CVB, Mobile Eastern Maine and others to come up with a brand and tag line for the region. Pereira indicated that economic development marketing in the City of Bangor is overdue for updating and refreshing. There are several entities who are also trying to market the region and the feeling is that it could be a collaborative effort. Councilor Sprague felt that this is long overdue. He felt that the need to project a positive image. It is an investment and is important. He felt the need for improved signage especially in the downtown area, creation of a new motto, and incorporating and encouraging the arts, etc. Councilor Durgin said he was delighted to see this effort as he felt it was long overdue. He said that signage is a major issue. He did not want to put it off and asked that this be done no later than next spring. George Kinghorn, President of Downtown Bangor Partnership, indicated that he supports the uniform marketing effort and bringing all the players to the table. He felt that the City needs a bold approach to marketing. Brian Ames, Chair of the Signage Committee of Downtown Bangor Partnership indicated that four years ago signage was identified as a major issue in the downtown. He gave a history of the four year process. Barbara McDade, Director of Bangor Public Library indicated that she felt that historic and arts need to be reflected in this effort. Tim Lo, Chairman of the Cultural Commission also spoke in favor indicating that cultural aspects of the City and arts should be a part of a unified branding and brand recognition. Vanadestine indicated that planning and engineering would be asked to assist with the design work to help keep the costs minimized. Posts can be ordered now in preparation and to save time by doing as much as possible now. It was requested that bus routes and trails also be made a part of this effort. 7. Discussion – RFP for Pine Tree Inn. Staff indicated that the City gained control this past spring of this former Dow Air Force Base building located at 22 Cleveland Avenue and formerly known as the Pine Tree Inn. The building was formerly used for military housing. Staff indicated that it wanted to discuss with the Committee a course of action regarding the building. The possible actions proposed by staff include: 1) To issue a “Request for Proposals” for the reuse of the building; 2) To develop a market campaign to sell or lease the building; or 3) To investigate selected developers that share the City Council’s vision for reuse of the building. Bolduc indicated that the location and surrounding uses may determine the reuse of the property. Existing uses surrounding it include University College, Penquis Day Care, the military guard base, Hope House and Maine Business Enterprise Park. It may be suitable as housing or office use but there will be costs associated with converting the building to those uses. Zoning will also need to be considered. An RFP may give ideas as to possible reuse of the building. Committee Members discussed the three options presented. Councilor Blanchette suggested that this item be brought back to the next BED Meeting to review ideas for reuse of the building. Councilor Sprague indicated that he would like to see Option 3 to see if others would be interested in the building 3 and to see what the demand is prior to putting out an RFP. Council Gratwick suggested contacting others possibly for transitional housing or a different purpose. It was suggested by the Committee that this item be brought back to the BED Committee with ideas from Staff regarding possible reuse. 8. Proposal for the Elimination of Parking Spaces in Front of Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building. Bird explained that the GAS and Federal Building approached City Staff requesting elimination of existing parking spaces in front of the Federal Building and replacing them with ADA Handicap spaces to meet Homeland Security regulations. The loss of those on-street parking spaces can be absorbed by existing parking in the area. Staff recommended approval. Councilor Sprague moved to approve Staff recommendation Councilor Durgin seconded the motion. Councilor Blanchette had questions regarding van accessible parking spaces. Bird indicated that there were van accessible spaces in the Abbott Square parking lot and in the Atler parking lot across the street. Heitmann pointed out that it would be very difficult due to snow removal to access the curb. It was suggested that Alpha One be contacted to ensure that this change would meet their needs for access. Councilor Blanchette suggested that there would need to be a sign that says “No Van Accessibility” on the spaces being converted to handicap spaces along the front of the building. Heitmann indicated that the parking change is an ordinance change that requires two Council meetings before final action. Conlow indicated that staff could make inquires before the Council would take final action. The Committee voted three in favor and one opposed (Councilor Blanchette) to the motion to accept Staff recommendation. The meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m.