HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-20 Economic Development Committee MinutesEconomic Development Committee Meeting O W L
April 20, 2007 READING, ~ MASS-
The meeting convened at 12:00 noon in the Town Hall Arnold Berger Am, 6 Lowell
Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Russ Graham, Vice Chairman
Jack Russell, Economic Development Committee Member Meghan-Young Tafoya, Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, and Lowell Economic Developer/Director and Peer
Consultant Adam Baake.
The Group immediately adjourned to the Bangkok Spice Restaurant for lunch. After that,
they conducted a walking tour through the Atlantic Supermarket, passed the
Haven Junction building, up Haven Street to Gould Street, up Gould Street to Ash Street,
up Ash Street to Main Street, up Main Street to Town Hall. The Group made a stop at
the Venetian Moon Restaurant for a tour of their new facility.
The Group reviewed the peer-to-peer technical assistance document and Adam Baake
went through an agenda. On the economic development priorities, the committee ranked
them as follows:
Improve the quality of life for Reading residents by increasing the available retail,
restaurants, and other amenities in Town, particularly in the Downtown.
2. Ensure the stability and success for the existing businesses in Reading.
3. Expand the commercial property tax base.
Lower priority items were:
4. Create additional opportunities for Reading residents to work in Town.
5. Create additional employment activities in Reading.
The Economic Development Committee and Mr. Baake went through the committee
activities and the issues, and he will come back with some revised ideas in this area.