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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-06-16 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMM1TfEE � ]UNE 16, 2004 Minutes � Council Attendance: Palmer, D'Errico, Cashwell, Farrington, Greene, Allen � Staff Attendance: McKay, Bolduc, Martzial, Ring Others: Representatives of Stiflwater Realty LLC; Bangor Daily � News; Bob Kennedy, UM Provost; Kathryn Hunt, Margaret Chase Smith Center 1. HUD Community Outreach Partnership Grant � Kathryn Hunt discussed a proposal that the University is working to submit to � the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Office of University Partnership for a program called the Community Outreach Sponsored Partnership. A proposal was unsuccessfully submitted last year. � The grant program is intended to encourage universities to partner with communities to address problems identified as important by the community. � The University is eager to partner with Bangor to strength the ties already developed. This year's proposal has four themes: affordable housing, work- based learning programs for disenfranchised young adults, community building in the downtown neighborhood, and cultural enrichment. Hunt also � discussed a neighborhood newsletter about the downtown and its' residents as well as an outreach program for the elderly population of Bangor, who are � in need for lawn maintenance, snow removal, etc. Additional components include building beautiful community spaces and community theatre. University engineering students will be working under the supervision of Jim � Ring to identify blighted downtown properties. Hunt requested a letter of support from the Mayor and an in-kind commitment of staff time for Bates and Martzial to participate in the implementation of the proposal should it � receive funding of$400,000. Farrington asked about the Penobscot Theater's stated mission and make up of that group. Hunt said that Torres has � invested in community theatre because it broadens the sense of the community that is interested in theatre. D'Errico asked about the age group of 18-34 and Hunt said it is less than 35% of the downtown. D'Errico asked , the average rental in downtown and Mar�ial replied $600-700/month. In response to D'Errico, Hunt did not have employment statistics available. Martzial indicated that this proposal fits well with the municipal cultural plan. � Cashwell asked about matching in-kind participation. Cashwell asked if current entities and services in place (i.e. The BAT, the Bangor Museum and Center for History, the Senior Center) would be helpful in identifying those � types of senrices toward the proposed grant application. Hunt said that HUD has restrictions in place whereby all existing commitments to organizations cannot be re-matched, only new dollars. Kennedy spoke about the University � and City's partnership in many various areas indicating that this program is one that may have a greater impact on individuals within the City. Palmer � asked about the neighborhoods to be targeted. Martzial showed a chart outlining areas on the west side: Walter Street to Main, Third Street to Cedar, Cedar to 5"', Ohio Street. On the east side: Hancock, Maple, Somerset, � � � Cumberland and arts of Broadwa . A motion w s m , p y a ade and seconded to request a letter of support from the Mayor and to authorize in-kind City stafF � participation. 2. Review of Telcom Drive Development Plans � The City has received the preliminary plans for a development on Teicom � Drive by Stiliwater Realty, LLC, Carol Epstein. McKay indicated that Committee review and approval of these plans are required under the City's agreement with the developer. Epstein said that necessary City approvals are � in place, and construction should begin immediately. Presentations were made and architectural renditions were presented by representatives from Stillwater Realty, LLC, as well as their engineering and architectural firms. � The Lewis + Malm Architects reviewed the various standards that have been met. He indicated that signage is yet to be determined and will need City approval. In response to Cashwell, McKay said the Committee needs to � determine whether the building plans meet the development standards of Telcom Drive. Cashwell asked if staff is satisfied with the criteria being met. McKay indicated that the plans were initially reviewed by City staff and some � questions were raised, which included the rear fa�ade of the building that should be broken up more. McKay indicated there is a row of trees that � might break up the fa�ade. Ring said there is a 10 fi�. setback from the property line on the back of the building. The requirements for the development have been met in terms of fa�ade materials in percentage but � the entire rear of the building is plain. Ring thought it should be considered , should the vacant lot be developed. Epstein offered a change taking the stafF's concerns into consideration. A trim line of Dryvit will be extended � along the rear of the building. Greene asked about a tinted spray-on material instead of brick. Epstein talked about experience with this at the Airport Mall building. Palmer asked about exterior window treatments, and Epstein � indicated the area around the windows would be a different color. Ring agreed. McKay and Ring asked about the number of existing trees that would be left in place. Bolduc asked a question about additional land area # that is not being utilized for parking. Epstein said that additional parking may be needed in the future. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff's Arecommendation. 3. Proposal to Construct Sidewalk— Husson Avenue � During the Council's review of the annual Community Development Block Grant program, Councilor Allen recommended funding the extension of the � existing sidewalk on Husson Avenue to Kenduskeag Avenue. At a recent Husson College neighborhood meeting, Barrett said that several in attendance raised the issue of extending the current sidewalk on Husson � Avenue. It currently ends at Bradford Commons. The suggestion is to extend the sidewalk to the Husson College entrance and possibly extending it down to Kenduskeag Avenue. The project would be eligible under the CDBG � funds due to the low income housing level in the area. Total cost for the project is $55,000. If approved, the CDBG budget will need to be amended to reflect the following reductions: Business Development Assistance - � 25 000 ori inall a roved 50 000 and Pro e Rehabilitation - $30,000 � $ , ( 9 Y PP � . ) p �Y (originaily $843,628). Cashwell asked about the process for funding � sidewalks and what would not be done if these two extensions were approved. Barrett said it would be reducing business development assistance, which makes loans available to businesses; i.e. improvements to � existing businesses, attracting new businesses, handicapped access in the downtown area. McKay said there is currently approximately $700,000 available. The property rehab funds are used to make low interest deferred � payment loans to either single family individuals or multi-family properties being renovated. McKay said that current outstanding projects for this fund is the Waterworks project as well as several others. Cashwell asked if the � funds would be replenished next year. Barrett said that funds are • appropriated annually for the property rehab program. McKay said it is funded to some degree each year. He further said that revenues are gained � from loan payments. Sometimes loans are paid ofF in advance and that provides extra revenue. In terms of the Husson College sidewalk extension, McKay indicated there are two options: 1) the Council would wait to see if � additional revenues come in or 2) four projects are funded for the downtown and whether they can be completed by June 30, 2005 depends on activities � taking place next to the sidewalk that needs to be improved. If approved, the Husson project could be moved ahead of some of the downtown projects. The downtown projects would then be funded in the next year. Farrington � asked about the priority of the Husson Avenue sidewalk as compared to the other needed sidewalk issues. He spoke about the sidewalk and retaining wall next to the Tarratine Club. Barrett said the retaining wall is privately owned and will be repaired. The City will replace the sidewalk after the � retaining wall is repaired. CDBG funds will be used for the sidewalk area in front of the Tarratine Club. Barrett said the City's priority in sidewalks has � been to return the existing sidewalks to a passable condition. The focus has been on arterial areas, sidewalks around parks, school walking routes. Barrett said he didn't recall when the City last put in a new sidewalk. In , terms of the General Fund budget, Barrett continued to urge that these funds be used for rehabilitation of current sidewalks. Farrington suggested � concentrating on existing sidewalks rather than start new and, if categorized, use of Federal grant monies first. Farrington asked about changing the request to $100,000 for new sidewalk improvements and how the Husson College sidewalk extension will be prioritized. Allen talked about the request. � She feels it is important to recognize that the City has invested in Husson in terms of a baseball field and is surprised that the sidewalk wasn't included. � She also stated that there is a senior citizen complex at the other end of Husson Avenue. She feels it is a priority that needs to be recognized as soon as possible and would be disappointed to see it wait until 2005. Cashwell � asked specific location questions about the sidewalk and the housing complexes in question in the Husson College area. Cashwell asked about the priority of this area sidewalk against other sidewalks. Ring said his first � priority would be to take care of the existing sidewalks. His second priority would be to take care of areas where there is demonstrated demand or need with safety challenges. His third priority would be areas with high demand or � high vehicular trafFic. Ring stressed the importance of making the best uses of local dollars and that his personal preference would be for new sidewalk � � areas to be funded from other sources. If it were recommended.to use local monies for this project, Ring would look for other sidewalks of a maintenance � upgrade nature that fall within the census blocks. Greene mentioned the previous reference to the Park Street sidewalk being unsafe and the retaining wall near the Tarratine Club wondering if the new owner has provided a time � schedule for repair work. It shouid be completed this summer, but Ring said he would follow through with the Code Enforcement Officer. The wall has to be repaired prior to sidewalk improvements. Greene also asked if all the new � sidewalks would have the asphalt base with brick overlay. Regarding the Tarratine Club, McKay said he understood that the condition of the sale was � that the previous owner is to provide for repair of the wail. Allen again stressed her desire that the sidewalk extension on Husson Avenue be considered a 2004 deadiine and not 2005. Committee Chair Palmer asked for � a motion regarding this item three separate times. No motion was made regarding the extension of the sidewalk area near Husson College. � 4. Update on Pending Projects (Time permitting) McKay talked about the Verizon building and had attended an opening of the � call center named National Wireless Operations Center. Approximately 90 individuals are employed and 20 more employment opportunities exist. He � also indicated that the software business previously housed at the Tarratine Club is relocated to the Fleet Center and was purchased by Boeing Autometrics software development. � Regarding the Union Place neighborhood, two proposals for redevelopment of Union Place were received. City stafF has made the offer to meet with one of � the developers, but Mr. Lawler has not responded. The other developer is still waiting to hear from the City. McKay asked for direction from the Committee. Palmer said he would like to see the item back on the agenda � and would like to see a meeting with Mr. Lawler. McKay said that calls have been made to him, several redevelopment schemes have been developed, zoning and traffic layouts have been put together. Palmer indicated issues � with both developers, one who has had a legal challenge due to an explosion of propane at one of his properties that resulted in a fine. The other � developer tends to do things in an unorthodox manner but he has performed well in the area. D'Errico suggested a walking tour of the site to compare the two pro�ects. Palmer agreed. McKay said he would coordinate it. Farrington � asked about Palmer's concern about the propane explosion incident for the second developer interested in the Union Place. Farrington didn't feel it was particularly serious. Palmer said he had spoken to the Fire Chief in that his � employees had been at risk in the situation. Palmer described the explosion and its outcomes. Farrington asked if it was serious enough to terminate the City's relationship with him. Palmer said he might look at a moratorium for a � period of time in terms of development. Farrington said it should be reviewed in executive session and that the individual should be protected in this area. Greene indicated that what Palmer related is true. Greene said it � would be beneficial for the Fire Chief to present a report on the incident. Palmer asked th'at the City Solicitor be involved as well to review the � confidentiality rights of all involved. Palmer stated that he did not state that the city should not do business with this individuai under any circumstances, � but he would like to have it discussed. Cashwell said that one appiicant applied and the second one never officialiy applied. He suggested setting a � deadline to move ahead. D'Errico said the issue is not the developer but what does the City want to see in the area, housing or commercial. McKay � will set up a date to tour the site. He indicated the options for the Committee are to choose one developer over the other, to work out an agreement to proceed, or two reject both proposals and start over again. ,� Greene asked about the naval reserve properry. McKay said that Realty Resources had tentative developer status through March 24 to see if they - could secure tax credits for their proposed 32 unit affordable housing project. � Their proposal also involved financing by the City. The Committee made no commitment on the financing. The tax credits have been received from the � MSHA and staff has asked Realty Resources to revisit their financing proposal and to come back to the Committee. McKay said the Committee also needs to revisit the development proposal in terms of too high concentration in one � area. � � � � � � � � � � � �