Sunday, October 11, 2009
Urgent newest post--City Council Meeting--Tuesday
Please come to the city council meeting at 7 p.m. this coming Tuesday, Oct 13, at the Board Room at Washington Street Education Center. Support saving the livery with your physical presence at the beginning of the meeting. Thanks for your signature, now we need your presence at this critical meeting.
Friday, October 2, 2009
DDA Minutes October 1 2009 from city website + other comments
7:30 A.M., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009
DRAFT
Present:
Jackson, Feeney, Flintoft, Frisinger, Heydlauff, Morrel-Samuels, Myles, Pierce, Winans, Hanifan
Absent:
Galvin, Holman, Schwarz
Others Present:
William Harmer, Director Chelsea District Library; Councilman Jason Lindauer, Zoning Administrator Jim Drolett, Janet Bernath, Carey Church, Mark Cresswell, Jane Cresswell, George Till, Realtor Robert Mihelich
President Jackson opened the meeting at 7:30 a.m.
2.Public participation –(a) Mark Cresswell summarized the meeting held at the depot the previous evening, sponsored by the Save the Livery group. He asked that the DDA delay the demolition of the Livery Building at the Longworth property until all efforts have been exhausted to raise the money to purchase the property and restore it to a useful life. Heydlauff emphasized the point that the DDA has viewed the issue as the improvement of the entire corridor with the long range view of perhaps having the remaining building purchased for a use that would put it back on the tax rolls. There was a general consensus that it is too late for the demolition and securing of the site this late in the fall, therefore there will be time to allow the group to pursue means to purchase the property. However, when and if there is an offer to purchase, the opportunity must be extended to the general public.(b) Robert Mihelich of CB Richard Ellis Real Estate Inc. represents Warner family whose property is for sale east of the Longworth property. He suggested that there might be a possibility of arranging for a sale\donation combination. He also mentioned a lease\sale\land lease. President Jackson and Mark Heydlauff take on the research on this matter. The current asking price is $299,000.
Jackson Street Corridor – General Discussion Jim Myles read a summary of his impression of the intended plan for the corridor. There was a spirited discussion regarding going forward with the DDA “Plan B” including getting plans drawn and submitted to the Planning Commission. The conclusion was that until the Livery building is down, it is not possible to see the lot and the possibilities. Heydlauff explained and the board concurred that The Plan was just a starting point on improving the corridor and the DDA is the catalyst to have something happen there. There is agreement that if the Mack Building is to be used, the Livery Building has to go because without sufficient parking, redevelopment is unlikely. Hanifan was asked to prepare an RFP for qualified persons to draw potential plans for the space. Admittedly that is troublesome because without the Livery gone, it is hard to assess the state of the Mack Bldg. It was agreed that the DDA needs to keep its options open. NOT in the official minutes but stated: The City owns the property and has not applied for restoration grants. The Coalition would need a "sign-off" by the City to assist in this effort. At the Town Hall Meeting the previous night, Mark Heydlauff stated that he "didn't think this would be a problem." This option was discussed during the DDA meeting. John Hanifan said there had been no request from anyone thusfar.
Motion by Heydlauff, second by Flintoft to go into closed session at 8:45 a.m. to discuss purchase of real estate. Roll call vote: all yays. Motion carried.
DRAFT
Present:
Jackson, Feeney, Flintoft, Frisinger, Heydlauff, Morrel-Samuels, Myles, Pierce, Winans, Hanifan
Absent:
Galvin, Holman, Schwarz
Others Present:
William Harmer, Director Chelsea District Library; Councilman Jason Lindauer, Zoning Administrator Jim Drolett, Janet Bernath, Carey Church, Mark Cresswell, Jane Cresswell, George Till, Realtor Robert Mihelich
President Jackson opened the meeting at 7:30 a.m.
2.Public participation –(a) Mark Cresswell summarized the meeting held at the depot the previous evening, sponsored by the Save the Livery group. He asked that the DDA delay the demolition of the Livery Building at the Longworth property until all efforts have been exhausted to raise the money to purchase the property and restore it to a useful life. Heydlauff emphasized the point that the DDA has viewed the issue as the improvement of the entire corridor with the long range view of perhaps having the remaining building purchased for a use that would put it back on the tax rolls. There was a general consensus that it is too late for the demolition and securing of the site this late in the fall, therefore there will be time to allow the group to pursue means to purchase the property. However, when and if there is an offer to purchase, the opportunity must be extended to the general public.(b) Robert Mihelich of CB Richard Ellis Real Estate Inc. represents Warner family whose property is for sale east of the Longworth property. He suggested that there might be a possibility of arranging for a sale\donation combination. He also mentioned a lease\sale\land lease. President Jackson and Mark Heydlauff take on the research on this matter. The current asking price is $299,000.
Jackson Street Corridor – General Discussion Jim Myles read a summary of his impression of the intended plan for the corridor. There was a spirited discussion regarding going forward with the DDA “Plan B” including getting plans drawn and submitted to the Planning Commission. The conclusion was that until the Livery building is down, it is not possible to see the lot and the possibilities. Heydlauff explained and the board concurred that The Plan was just a starting point on improving the corridor and the DDA is the catalyst to have something happen there. There is agreement that if the Mack Building is to be used, the Livery Building has to go because without sufficient parking, redevelopment is unlikely. Hanifan was asked to prepare an RFP for qualified persons to draw potential plans for the space. Admittedly that is troublesome because without the Livery gone, it is hard to assess the state of the Mack Bldg. It was agreed that the DDA needs to keep its options open. NOT in the official minutes but stated: The City owns the property and has not applied for restoration grants. The Coalition would need a "sign-off" by the City to assist in this effort. At the Town Hall Meeting the previous night, Mark Heydlauff stated that he "didn't think this would be a problem." This option was discussed during the DDA meeting. John Hanifan said there had been no request from anyone thusfar.
Motion by Heydlauff, second by Flintoft to go into closed session at 8:45 a.m. to discuss purchase of real estate. Roll call vote: all yays. Motion carried.
Endorsement
This week the Save the Livery Coalition received an important endorsement.
The Chelsea Area Historical Society (CAHS)board voted to endorse the Save the Livery Coalition (STLC) and also gave a $250 donation.
Thank you!
The Chelsea Area Historical Society (CAHS)board voted to endorse the Save the Livery Coalition (STLC) and also gave a $250 donation.
Thank you!
Town Hall Meeting Update
We're trying to figure out how to share the slides in the powerpoint presented at the Town Hall Meeting last Wedneday on this blogspot. Stay tuned. We were very happy that two DDA members attended, Mark Heydlauff and Palmer Morrel-Samuels.
Also, thank you to participants who agreed to assist this effort by writing letters to the editor, attend the City Council meeting on October 13, attend the DDA meeting on October 15, contact DDA members, stand next to the Livery, and donate to Preservation Chelsea and/or the Chelsea Area Historical Society for expenses related to this effort.
Since our historic buildings are not protected, we can save our visible heritage only by public pressure.
We've been pleased to notice that some are commenting on the blogpost. Thank you! We encourage more of you to comment. Simply press "comment" under the posting and you will be able to share your thoughts.
Thank you for your continued interest...we need an informed public on this important issue!
Also, thank you to participants who agreed to assist this effort by writing letters to the editor, attend the City Council meeting on October 13, attend the DDA meeting on October 15, contact DDA members, stand next to the Livery, and donate to Preservation Chelsea and/or the Chelsea Area Historical Society for expenses related to this effort.
Since our historic buildings are not protected, we can save our visible heritage only by public pressure.
We've been pleased to notice that some are commenting on the blogpost. Thank you! We encourage more of you to comment. Simply press "comment" under the posting and you will be able to share your thoughts.
Thank you for your continued interest...we need an informed public on this important issue!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
