City of Salem Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board or Committee: Redevelopment Authority, Regular Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday March 10, 2010, at 6:00pm
Meeting Location: Third Floor Conference Room, 120 Washington Street
Members Present: Chairperson Michael Brennan, Robert Mitnik, Michael
Connelly, Russell Vickers, Conrad Baldini
Members Absent: Director of Planning and Development Lynn Duncan
Others Present: Economic Development Manager Tom Daniel
Recorder: Lindsay Howlett
Chairperson Michael Brennan calls the meeting to order.
Executive Director’s Report
Daniel states Lynn Duncan couldn’t be here tonight and he is reporting on her behalf.
Five Broad Street: Daniel states that the final report from the consultants is expected by the end of the month. Daniel adds that the permitting process is underway for the new Senior Center and once that is complete the RFP process for Five Broad Street can move forward.
Mitnik asks if the consultant’s reports are posted online.
Daniel responds he will have to check.
Vickers asks if there will be a price associated with each proposal received.
Daniel states the sale of the existing Five Broad Street is a source of revenue that goes to the acquisition of the new Senior Center.
Old Town Hall: Daniel states the partnership with Gordon College continues to go well and within the next month or two we would like them to come in and give a report on how their programming is going. Daniel states that the pending improvements at Old Town Hall include improvements to the structural and heating system and interiors. Daniel adds that Gordon College is looking to add a history of Salem museum and has requested a one-year delay to April 2011 so that the construction project can be completed. The City has agreed to this request and is excited there will be improvements made to the building.
Old Salem Jail: Daniel states there was a meeting last night to address the parking request in front of the Old Salem Jail. Daniel adds that near the end of the meeting the developers withdrew their request as it was clear the neighbors desired to preserve the greenery.
Parking Study: Daniel reveals that the feedback for the parking study has been positive and that people appreciate its comprehensive approach. Daniel adds the recommendations look to incentivize employees to park on the perimeter of downtown or on upper floors of the garages so that the prime customer spots are available. Daniel states there will be another presentation in April with the final report.
Old/New Business
Salem Beautification Committee – Temporary public art proposal
Mary Ellen Halliwell is present to discuss an idea for a public art project around downtown Salem. Halliwell states that three of her committee members have already reached out to business to gauge interest in the idea. Halliwell describes the small scale project and presents a model of the figure to the board. Halliwell explains that their committee was hoping to get the project started as quickly as June to coordinate with the Salem Arts Festival but based on various questions that have arisen they are going to delay the start of the project in hopes of presenting a better, more organized event.
Halliwell explains they are focusing on the downtown area to feature the chosen figure head called the ‘Jenny Lind’ which has a connection to Salem history; the original ‘Jenny Lind’ was carved by a Salem craftsman and was placed on a ship. Halliwell explains that this supports celebrating Salem’s maritime history. The female figure is made of molded primed polyurethane foam, and the figure can be painted, aged, and embellished. Halliwell states the figure can be hung like a picture but one of the pending details is how to make it secure from falling, weather and/or vandalism. One idea is to have the figure presented in a way that it can be wheeled indoors for the night. Halliwell adds they want to place a plaque on the bottom as well. Halliwell states the figure is made
by North Coast gallery in Ohio; the size and price was right for the project. Halliwell states they are still working out how to choose the artists. Halliwell states that both Home Depot and Rockefeller’s have shown an interest in the project.
Brennan asks if this project was intended to be a fundraiser.
Halliwell responds they were not thinking about using it for a fundraiser but agrees that it potentially could be. Halliwell also states after the pieces have become embellished they could potentially be auctioned off. Halliwell adds they hope the project will grow over time and that is why they have opted to start with a smaller piece for now.
Halliwell states that the Beautification Committee just wanted to let the Board in on the process early and wanted to make sure the Board likes the idea.
Halliwell states she could potentially embellish and decorate the model and present it during Heritage Days, hopefully work out how it’s hung, and maybe raffle it off.
Brennan states the SRA is on board and wishes the Beautification Committee good luck.
Development Project Review
Small Project Review
1. 38 Front Street: Discussion of proposed new entrance
David Pabich asks the board to reapprove the proposed fourth entrance for 38 Front Street as it was presented and approved in 1993 by the SRA and Planning Board. Pabich explains originally the plan was to have four doors on the side of the building but only three were installed. Pabich explains now they are looking to install the fourth entrance to match the front entrances. Pabich explains they need the fourth entrance for a new tenant with whom they already have a lease but are lacking a front door for the space.
Brennan adds there is no access from Front Street and that you have to go in from Washington Street and down a hall and into another door to get to the business.
Brennan asks for any discussions on the proposal.
Baldini: Motion to approve the proposed new entrance, seconded by Connelly. Passes 5-0.
Sign, Awning, and Lighting Review
- 221 Essex Street (Mud Puddle Toys): Discussion and vote on proposed replacement windows and new entrance.
Daniel explains that the signage proposal is not in front of the Board tonight because at the DRB meeting the owner learned he could have a little more flexibility with the signage than what he had anticipated. Daniel adds he will present the signage next month and that tonight the Board is to review the storefront system, new entrance and glazing. Daniel adds they wanted to move the entrance forward so that the owner could get the materials ordered and installed sooner than later.
John Seger explains there will be a new entrance which will replace the existing center bay. Seger adds the owner will replace all of the dark glazing. In addition Seger states they are going to have to reset some of the brick pavers to raise the entrance 2” to comply with accessibility guidelines. Seger adds Salem Five did the same thing just by resetting a designated area of brick.
Mitnik states he thinks this is a great improvement and that the drawings presented are very complete.
Brennan asks what is above the entrance.
Seger replies a variety of offices, Essex National Heritage Area, law offices, etc.
Brennan asks if he will be coming back in with a sign proposal.
Seger responds yes in two weeks they will be in front of the DRB and then two weeks later in front of the SRA for approval.
Baldini: Motion to approve the proposed replacement windows and new entrance, seconded by Connelly. Passes 5-0.
- 72 Washington Street (Crunchy Granola Baby): Discussion and vote on proposed signage
Daniel states the existing business just wants to update their sign.
Brennan states the existing color is terrible and is hard to read. Brennan adds the new sign is not intrusive and is a lot better. He has no issues with the proposed signage.
Baldini: Motion to approve signage as recommended by the DRB, seconded by Vickers. Passes 5-0.
- 155 Washington Street (Adriatic): Discussion and vote on proposed signage
Daniel sates the Adriatic is located in the old “Edgewater Café” space. Daniel adds the prominent sign is a canopy on the corner and that the DRB liked it a lot.
Brennan agrees.
Vickers asks if the outdoor café permit goes to the restaurant or the tenant space.
Daniel responds the outdoor café permit goes to the restaurant. The Adriatic will go through the approval process in a future meeting.
Connelly: Motion to accept the proposed signage as recommended by the DRB, seconded by Mitnik. Passes 5-0.
- 281 Essex Street (Coven): Discussion and vote on proposed signage
Daniel states the DRB recommends the blade sign be approved with a different bracket, one that would match their neighbor’s bracket (Get in Shape for Women).
Daniel states the DRB recommended the business do more work on developing the window.
Daniel further adds the DRB had a couple of tweaks to the blade sign—making the rolling pin 3-dimensional and a tan color. The business made these changes.
Daniel states there is a resident here from the Latitude condominiums who may want to speak about the Coven signage.
Steven Fisher who owns the condo right above the Coven space is very interested in their signage. Fisher states he is fine with the blade sign and adds that he and his wife are more concerned with the decal but understands that is not coming up for discussion tonight.
Fisher describes the decal to the SRA as a World War II era pinup that is not done well and adds that he and his wife find the figure quite objectionable.
Mitnik: Motion to accept DRB recommendations, seconded by Baldini. Passes 5-0.
- 87 Washington Street (Green Land Café): Discussion and vote on proposed signage
Daniel states the signage was approved a year ago but construction was delayed. Daniel adds the new sign has a revised look and seems to have been kicked up a notch. It is very simple and the dimensions are the same. Daniel states the DRB recommended the sign and was very enthusiastic about it.
Brennan states he would not want to see a sign any bigger than this at 42”.
Vickers: Motion to approve the proposed signage as recommended by the DRB, seconded by Connelly. Passes 5-0.
- 83 Washington Street (Hip Baby Gear and Two Girls Shop): Discussion and vote on proposed signage
Daniel states the DRB loved the sign. The condition is that the shop paint the existing light fixtures to match the trim and to provide a shield for the lights. Daniel adds the shop is currently open and the colors and lettering of the sign are the company’s corporate logo. Daniel explains that the SRA is just reviewing the blade sign today. The shop may want to do a window decal at some point and would come back for that review and approval.
Mitnik: Motion to accept the DRB recommendation, seconded by Vickers. Passes 5-0.
Approval of Minutes: January 13, 2010 regular meeting minutes.
Connelly: Motions to approve the meeting minutes from January 13, 2010, seconded by Mitnik. Passes 5-0.
Adjournment:
Baldini: Motions to adjourn, seconded by Vickers. Passes 5-0.
Meeting is adjourned at 6:44 pm.
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