City of Salem Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board or Committee: Redevelopment Authority, Regular Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday, January 14, 2009, at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Location: Third Floor Conference Room, 120 Washington Street
Members Present: Chairperson Michael Brennan, Conrad Baldini, Michael Connelly, Robert Mitnik, and Russell Vickers
Members Absent:
Others Present: Executive Director and City Planner Lynn Duncan, Economic Development Manager Tom Daniel
Recorder: Andrea Bray
Chairperson Brennan calls the meeting to order.
Executive Director’s Report
Old Salem Jail: Duncan states that they are still working on finances with NBV.
Old Town Hall: Duncan confirms that Gordon College and the city have filed for a cultural facilities grant, and they will be contacting the State Representatives for support as they await a response.
Urban Land Institute: Duncan states that the ULI spent a day in Salem in September researching alternative uses for the Church Street parking lot, and they have completed the report on their findings, and the Technical Assistance Panel will attend the February SRA meeting for a recap of the study. She adds that the members will get the final report prior to the meeting so it can be reviewed in advance.
Brownfields: Daniel states that Mass Development is working with the Peabody and Salem Chambers to hold a workshop that will inform property owners/developers about financing tools that are available for brownfields clean up projects.
Benches at 15 Peabody Street Park: Duncan confirms that the bench design for the park has been modified to contain armrests, and she will email the specifications to the members.
Old/New Business
Development Project Review
1. South River Harborwalk: Discussion and vote on design revision
Daniel states the DRB has reviewed and recommended approval of the changes necessary to come in under budget. He describes the previous design for the plaza which contained an inlayed ship lofting diagram and notes that this has been eliminated. The revised design has a concrete stamped timber pattern and stamped compass rose. He states that these are on a grid system that can be removed and then put back in place. Other design elements Daniel describes include the up lit flagpole and the simplification in the signage. He adds that interpretive panels will be placed along the Harborwalk.
Duncan calls attention to the second page of the package which shows the concrete when it is stamped to look like the wood plank.
Mitnik: Motion to accept the DRB’s recommendation and approve the new design elements, seconded by Vickers. Passes 5-0.
Sign, Awning, and Lighting Review
2. 155-189 Washington Street (Tavern in the Square): Discussion and vote on proposed exterior façade, signage, and lighting
Daniel states that this restaurant is the new tenant in the RCG development at the old Salem News site.
Architect Steven Sousa provides an overview of the design, stating that he has done two of these designs before, Central Square and Porter Square. He shows the sample color combination of the practical beige and the “Turkish coffee” brown. He describes the lighting scheme, including goose-necks over the awnings, and sconces flanking the doors. He describes the blade sign with dimensional letters and a small blade sign light. He states that a series of operable doors will allow the space to open to the street in the summer. He confirms that the restaurant will seat about 240.
Daniel states that the DRB recommended that the blade sign be about 6 inches shorter, and the Tavern sign will have the top of the T align just under the top of the brown band, and the wall sconces have been moved down, with planters at each location.
Sousa confirms that all of the DRB recommendations have been incorporated into the revised design.
Baldini: Motion to accept the design as recommended by the DRB, seconded by Brennan. Passes 5-0.
Approval of Minutes – December 10, 2008 Meeting
Vickers: Motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Mitnik. Passes 5-0.
Duncan states that the they have received new bids for the Peabody Street Park, containing the design changes approved by the Authority, and they have a low bidder that is responsible and responsive and they are moving forward.
Brennan: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Baldini. Passes 5-0.
The meeting is adjourned at 6:30 PM.
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