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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-05 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Wed., January 5, 2011, 5:00 pm City Hall Council Chambers Minutes Councilors: Chair Weston, Blanchette, Bronson, Durgin, Longo, Gratwick Staff: Conlow, McKay, Bolduc, Patterson, Nicklas, Ring 1. Authorization to Issue a Request for Proposals for Downtown Signage Rod McKay & Shirar Patterson reviewed this item for the Committee as follows: The current signage system in the downtown area is fragmented and inconsistent; gateway signs are damaged and need replacing; the kiosk in W. Market Square needs replacing. A signage system linking the waterfront and downtown was approved by the City as part of the Waterfront Master plan in 2003. To date, elements linking the Waterfront to downtown have been installed on the waterfront and have yet to be incorporated into the downtown district. In 2010, the City Council approved an allocation of $25,000 in Federal Community Development Block Grant funds for downtown signage improvements. Staff is now seeking authorization from the BED Committee to issue an RFP to move the signage design phase forward. Staff hopes to issue the RFP by January 7, receive proposals by January 26, and secure a vendor by mid-February (these dates are flexible if Committee wishes to change). For sign production and installation phase, funding will need to be appropriated either through the FY 2012 budget process or from Downtown Bangor Municipal Development Tax Increment Financing District revenues where signage is identified as part of the Development Program. Further suggestions from the Committee were: that the RFP be sent out to local vendors; have 2-3 places around the City for Community Bulletin Boards; Informational Events Directory (perhaps electronic) at Bass Park and the Waterfront, and provide information on other pertinent community happenings; have signage at the Bangor Mall listing places to visit in the downtown. Councilor Bronson made a motion to approve staff’s request to issue an RFP for Downtown Signage for the plan, design and specifications. Seconded by Councilor Longo. Unanimous Committee vote. 2. REFERRAL – ORDINANCE 11-034, Amending Chapter 291, Vehicles and Traffic, Section 291-37, General Provisions, of the Code of the City of Bangor, By Incorporating the Downtown Parking Management District Map Assist. City Solicitor Paul Nicklas reviewed this item for the Committee stating that this ordinance will clarify that the Downtown Parking Management District Map is part of the City’s parking ordinance and will reflect the date as shown on the map. The map shows the location of parking spaces in the downtown area and any limitations that apply to them. Updates to the Downtown Parking Management District Map are made on a regular basis. Councilor Longo made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation for Ordinance 11-034, Amending Chapter 291, Section 291-37 as presented. Seconded by Councilor Bronson. Unanimous Committee vote. 3. Approval of Agreement and Consent with Gary Hagan and the United States Economic Development Officer, Steve Bolduc reviewed a request from Gary Hagan and his lessee, the US government represented by the General Services Administration (GSA) that asks for the City of Bangor’s consent to a sublease between Mr. Hagan and the United States. Mr. Hagan has been a long time lessee of the City of Bangor; in the BIA Commercial/Industrial Park he constructed a building there and has leased it for a number of years to the United States where they house their Dept. of Agriculture. The GSA has requested the ability to take over the lease should there be any default by Mr. Hagan. This is something the City routinely does with financial organizations that are financing the construction of a building; should there be any problem with the developer they can take it over. Staff recommends approval of the sublease. Councilor Bronson made a motion to move staff recommendation regarding their request for a sublease as presented and recommends this to the full City Council. Seconded by Councilor Longo. Unanimous Committee vote. 4. Waterfront Improvements – Continued Discussion Rod McKay reviewed. At the last meeting of the BED Committee on Dec. 22, the City’s Waterfront design consultant, Pam Shadley of Shadley Associates, updated the Committee on the improvements that have taken place on the Waterfront as well as explained what is needed to complete the Waterfront Park. Subsequent to that there were some issues raised as to where to go in the future as follows:  Waterfront Wet Playground/Splash Park: Committee directed staff not to proceed further with this as shown on the Master Plan as the City currently does not have the funding available. This project is on hold until staff finds funding and provides this information to the Council along with the operational costs, and receives authorization from them to proceed with the design work and bidding.  Strengthening connections: The need to strengthen the connections between the historic waterfront and downtown core is recognized and hopefully will be accomplished as funds are available. In the concept master plan there are improvements proposed on the downtown core side of Washington Street for improvements that will provide for a stronger connection between the waterfront and downtown. Rod outlined the other areas of the Plan that have been given priority. The need to strengthen the connections between the historic waterfront and downtown is recognized and hopefully will be accomplished as funds are available.  Connections between waterfront and adjacent neighborhoods: An overview of the Bangor Trails Project was provided along with explaining the existing connections and limitations on the Waterfront. Staff asked for the Committee’s guidance on this issue. Councilor Bronson responded that his concern is with the connection with adjacent neighborhoods of the waterfront. For example, to get some of the current railroad crossings ‘friendlier’ for those wishing to perhaps bike to the waterfront from adjacent neighborhoods. City Engineer, Jim Ring responded to points that Councilor Bronson brought up and how it is more specifically tied to the waterfront. He reviewed the Bangor Trails Project report that was done two years ago; it contains information that the Bangor Trails Committee gathered from residents over a two year period on where they want to go from area to area. Bangor Trails is also looking beyond Bangor’s boundaries to make connections to adjoining communities. There is a lot of interest in getting to the waterfront park and the more that is completed will result in even more demand. It was also noted that improved signage will be a plus.  Signage announcing the availability of Waterfront Development sites of development: Rod McKay did a power point presentation on available development sites on the waterfront. There are 3 small sites along Front Street available for private development; a site on Summer Street; a larger site along Main Street adjacent to the public performance area; and a site at the old Roundhouse site. Part of the document that is provided to developers is the City ordinance explaining conditional uses and permitted uses on the waterfront. Staff will proceed with signage advertising the availability of sites at the waterfront for development with concurrence by the Committee. Meeting adjourned.