HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-09-28 Downtown Steering Committee Minutesl E -i-t
Town of Reading
Downtown Steering Committee
Minutes of Meeting
September 28, 1995
Reading Public Library
6:30 p.m.
Attendance:
Virginia M. Adams
Carolyn Boviard
Ruth Carmichael
Anna Carroll
Don Cowan
John Crosby
Susan DiGiovanni
Jonathan Edwards
Bea Erickson
Kathy Greenfield
Peter Hechenbleikner
Julieann Lastella
Bill Lee
Soni Clarke Lee
Bruce MacDonald
Jack Russell
Patricia Segalla
Peter Simms
Tom Stohlman
Chris Twichell
Jean Christensen (MAPQ
• Peter Hechenbleikner introduced Jean Christensen of the Metropolitan Area
Planning, Commission. He indicated that he has had conversations with David Sole,
the Commission's Executive Director. The Commission will provide professional
support throughout the "visioning" and revitalization effort.
• Jean Christensen spoke to the Committee, and mentioned that the Town of
Needham is currently undergoing the same downtown reengineering as Reading.
She felt that the event that we have been planning for people to walk through
Downtown is less of a "charette", by definition, than it is a "Visioning Process". (A
charette is typically done by a team of hired professionals, whereas our event is to
involve, primarily, interested citizens.)
• Ms. Christensen defined "community" as that which "results from shared and
repeated experiences." The end result of the Visioning Process is to create a shared
perception of Reading's Downtown. Two methods which she suggested that the
Committee employ to aeheive that result are: (I) a surveyand (2) a "critical" walk
through Downtown.
• It is believed that a suryeywill bring the broadest response, and will be an effective
means to gather data. The survey will be created by a staff of professionals from
MAPC, together with Town Hall officials, and some members of the steering
committee.
® Regarding the walk., it was determined that holding the event October 28 allows a
reasonable amount of time for planning, but that November 4 is not realistic for
"debriefing". October 19 is the probable date for training steering committee
members to help in leading participants on the walk.
• It will make more sense to simultaneously create the surveyand prepare for the
walk, see to the completion of each, and then integrate the gathered data.
Following the gathering of data, it will be time to draw goals and objectives, hold
further meetings for "reality checks" and then begin to seek sources of funds to
realize the goals.
The Media Task Force and the Logo Task Force, now known together as the Sub-
Committee on Communications, reported back to committee with samples for
the Logo and ideas for communicating in general and for the walk, specifically.
It was suggested that the walk be called The First Step There was a concensus to
use the term to describe the event. Forms of media to be used for various purposes
along the way, were outlined and handed out. We will see revised logos at the next
meeting and a draft of a `broadcast card' for The First Step
• The Business Task Force plans to send a letter to local businesses and landlords
to inform them of our weekly meetings and the "visionary process", including
The First Step The intent is to build support. The letter will be drafted for the
next meeting. They talked about perhaps creating a different survey aimed at the
business community.
TELEPHONE LIST
FOR THE
DOWNTOWN STEERING COMMITTEE
NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE
Virginia M. Adams
59 Azalea Circle (Historical Comm)
944-7577
Carolyn Boviard
42 Chute Street
944-9523
Ruth Carmichael
233 West Street
942-7669
Anna Carroll
85 Haven Street (The Hot Spot)
942-5777
Don Cowan
25 A Hamden Street (A Plus Printing)
944-2600
John Crosby
670 Main Street
944-2321
Susan DiGiovanni
6 Grand Street
944-9997
Jonathan Edwards
Town Planner
942-9012
Bea Erickson
11 Harrison Avenue (Garden Club)
944-4066
Kathy Greenfield
192 Woburn Street
942-2072
Peter Hechenbleikner
Town Manager
942-9043
George Hines
35 Grand Street (Selectman)
,,Bryan Irwin
302 Woburn Street (CPDC)
, Julieann Lastella
180 Haven Street (Reading Co-op)
942-5008
Bill Lee
69 Locust Street
944-2246
Soni Clarke Lee
69 Locust Street
944-2246
Bruce MacDonald
67 Prospect Street (Selectman)
944-6384
Ken Maguire
Daily Chronicle
944-4144
Steve McLaughlin
195 Salem Street
Jack Russell
91 Spruce Road
944-9229
Peter Simms
648 Main Street (Simms Jewelers)
944-4031
Tom Stohlman
14 Mineral Street
944-8307
Chris Twichell
4 Thorndike Street
942-9422
Jean Christensen
MAPC
451-2770
Rt C EIVED
v
F, c" It, rij, fN, 1-4 A
4
S 19 c ~
??oar r7r+an town committee-
Here's a wav-out idea for downtown and it brines together two
separate ideas that have been expressed in our local paner.
with respect to the letter to the editor in the Chronicle several
weeks aa_o about the putt-putt course and letters about Readina Arts
Iookinq for a place (w.r.t. the RMLD buildinq at the time)...
What about an art gallerv, meeting place, theater space, play place
in the Ceretani buildinq that includes the re-installation of the
de Cordova museum's 18-hole miniature qolf exhibit (if no one on
the committee has seen the exhibit, it's there until Oct. 22 and
then will be dismantled; or, I have some information about the
exhibit, give me a call). Of course, it isn't a recqular mini-golf
and requires a lot of maintenance as art... but it could be a segue
to some other creative arts in the space. (I think Eugene's is too
small for this idea - I'd love to see one of those Printers Inc.
type bookstores that also have a cafe qo into Eugene's old space.)
With some attention to landscaping alone Main Street, it could be
real nice-
Plus, it would be alot of fun to have somethinq really different
and unusual in town.
Gina Snyder
944-3874.
OFR O
Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867-2685
639' INCOR4(0)
FAX: (617) 942-9070
October 5, 1995
Mark Poger
Jack Poger Real Estate
1 West Street
Wellesley, MA 02181
Dear Mark:
TOWN MANAGER
617) 942-9043
I enjoyed speaking with you earlier today with regard to the potential for purchase of the RMLD building
for use by Lauriat's Book stores. Attached is a copy of the flier on the property, as well as a two page
fact sheet. The minimum price for the property would be $360,000. The property as you can see from
the map, is across High Street from the Reading Depot which has a boarding count of about 1,000
people per day.
I'm also enclosing a copy of the brochure that we put together on Reading. The demographics for
Reading itself, along with the five mile circumference are very impressive. Finally, I'm attaching a copy
of the statistics for the Reading Public Library which indicates that we have an extremely high rate of use
of the library and therefore high readership.
As we have been partaking efforts to upgrade the downtown area of Reading, one of the things the
residents and users of downtown universally tell us is that they want a bookstore in Reading. Laurat's
certainly is a well known bookstore chain to our residents and would be extremely welcomed in the
community.
Please let me know if there is further information that you require. As I said, time is of the essence
because this property is out to bid, but if you can put together a reasonable bid package, a retail use
sti as this would be most welcome.
Sincerely, '
Peer I. Hech bleikner
Town Manager
PIH/ps
cc: Danny W. Gurr, President of Lauriat's Inc.
Board of Selectmen
Downtown Steering Committee"'
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SummarN of Im
portant Facts and Conclusions
Location: -
25 Haven Street, Reading,
Middlesex County, 'Massachusetts
Property Type:
Former municipal offi building, c~ e:,tly Lacant
0,wnership:
To%,,-r, of Reading
Interest Appraised:
Fee simple estate.
Land area:
18,933 square feet
Zoning:
Business B
Improvements:
One story masonry office building constructed in 1939
The improvements have a gross building- area of 6,840
square feet.
- Date of Valuation:
October 27, 1994
Highest and Best Use:
Conversion of the existing structure to single or multi-
tenant retail use and expansion o the building to
approximately 9,500 scuare feet
Estimated Values
As Improved:
Final Value Estimate: 5450-000
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OCT- 6-95 FRI 9:56
- r
The ahepar&on Group
FOR SALE
28 Haven Street .
Reading Massachusetts
The Shepardson Group is pleased to inform you of the availability of a single story office
building situated in a business district with easy access to Route 128 and I-93, steps
away from the dommunter rail station.
SALE PRICE - $360,000.00
LAND AREA: Approx. 19,933 square feet
BLDG. AREA: 6,890 square feet
AGE: Constructed in 1939
1.02
i
CONSTRUCTION: Concrete block an a poured concrete slab with brick
facade.
HVAC: Steam heat by oil
i
PARXING: 28 cars
ZONING: Zoned Business "B"
i
COMMENTS: Haven Street is an attractive mix of retail and
small business. The builiding's location offers a
convenient working environment,
NOTE; Information eut focth ie from sours ~s w~ devr,. iatlc- and iv autjcct t-,~ prior stale, lease,
vithdratrai without notice or change in price end conditions. no representation is muds as
to ;,hc ■ccur¢cy of any ir~Cbrrraa Lion fur niche d.
I
329 WASHINGTON! STREET, WWOBURN, , 01801 617-935-1400 FAX 617-935-0123
OCT- 6-95 FRI 9:56
25 HAVEN STREET
READING
MASSACHUSETTS
03
The property at 25 Haven Street encompasses an area of 18,933 square feet and is busine s
"B" zoned. Located in a central business district, the existing office building measures 60 It.
x 114 ft. and was used w an operations and custom- er service center for the local municipal elec-
tric department- Vie building is concrete block on a poured concrete slab and has a bri k
facade.
The Haven Street area is conducive to business, attracting a mix of retail and small profes-
sional businesses. The building s location affords ernployees and customers a convenient
working env ironinent, steps away from a commuter rail station. Route 128 and Interstate 93 afe
just minutes away.
The property is level land with frontage on two streets - Haven and Green Streets. e
perimeter is fenced in and includes a paved parking lot of approximately 1C,000 square eet
with space for 28 cars or light vehicl s.
Access to this parkinL, area is from Gre;n
Street. Since it is located in a business distr~ct
' with heavy pedestrian traffic, there is ample
public parking in the area.
OCT- 6-95 FRI 9:57
Haven Street
Reading, Massachusetts + + * • * ` * ` ` `
MVEN S MET
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Town of Reading
Downtown Steering Committee
Minutes of Meeting
October 5, 1995
Town Hall
7:30 p.m.
Attendance:
Virginia M. Adams
Carolyn Boviard
Ruth Carmichael
Anna Carroll
Don Cowan
John Crosby
Susan DiGiovanni
Jonathan Edwards
Bea Erickson
Paul Feely
Kathy Greenfield
Bryan Irwin
Julieann Lastella
Bill Lee
Soni Clarke Lee
Ken Maguire
Jack Russell
Jay Smith
Peter Simms
I. Boston Globe Article: Susan DiGiovanni reported that she is following-up on the
Globe Article and has prepared an outline for it. The Globe has stated its
willingness to cover The First Step.
II. Eugene's Space: Susan also reported that she has been in touch with Don Kaplan
and Janet Patterson to update them on recent efforts (The First Step, the Globe
article). Susan is sending Janet the envelope with all the leads taken from the
"blitz" of August 30.
III. Business Task Force Status:
• Business Survey - Susan spoke to Bill Cummings of Cummings Park
regarding the survey to businesses. He gave her the o.k. to go onto the
properties to distribute the surveys, and to use his name as an endorsement
in the cover letter which accompanies it. There is still some question as to
how to distribute the surveys.
• Letter to Businesses - Carolyn Boviard had written a draft letter to be sent to
Reading Downtown businesses, outlining various ways in which they have
opportunity to participate in the Downtown "Turnaround" efforts (more on
that later). The letter was intended to be upbeat, positive, and not
overwhelming. She proposed that it be sent out on Downtown Steering
Committee letterhead, signed by its co-chairs. That was agreed. Julieann
Lastella offered to have the letters mailed from Reading Cooperative Bank.
The letter is expected to go out early next week (Tuesday 10/ 10).
IV. Media Update:
Logo - After much deliberation (moreso perhaps than took place in Los
Angeles) a logo was agreed upon. It includes an outline drawing of the
square and the words "Reading Downtown Turnaround". The word
iurnarouna was votea on over the wora Kevisitea my a
Clarke Lee produced the logo.
• The First Step Media -
Broadcast Cards - A broadcast card, created by Bill Lee, announcing
The First Step was reviewed by the committee, and minor changes
were agreed to. Bill will make the changes and forward camera-
ready copy to Ruth for reproducing early next week. Distribution
will include: stacks at shops, restaurants, etc. Downtown; posting at
Town Hall and the Library.
Community Bulletinboard
Chronicle/Suburban - The Chronicle will cover The First Step. Bill
Lee will ask the Suburban News if we can put the cards as inserts in
the paper.
V. Survey
• Review Form - A draft of the survey was reviewed and commented on by the
committee. Jonathan was to make changes and have the survey ready for
the Reading Notes. It will also be printed in the Chronicle.
• Distribution - Surveys will also be available and may be returned to Simms,
the Hot Spot, the Reading Cooperative Bank, A Plus Printing, Sense of
Wonder, and Town Hall. They also may be able to be distributed from the
Atlantic and/or possibly sent with water bills. It was mentioned that a P.O.
Box would be useful in collecting the responses.
VI. The First Sten -
• Training - for Recorders and Leaders to be held on October 19, at 7:00 p.m.
in the Selectmen's Room at Town Hall. Ruth and Susan will call volunteers
from the "blitz" list to attend. Committee members will also attend the
training. Hopefully, enough people will be trained so that The First Step
will have enough Recorders and Leaders. If there are more than enough
participants, it was agreed that committee members should step back and
allow volunteers to lead and record. Optimal group size is 10 for walking.
If we get 30 to 40 people trained to lead and record, we will be able to have
15 to 20 groups of 10, or 150 to 200 walkers. Jonathan will prepare maps.
• Saturday, October 28 - Participants to meet at the Depot. The event should
last from about 12-2 p.m. A "reception" will follow the walk on the
Common. The following items are needed, and the person responsible for
securing each is listed:
Health Permit - Jonathan (or Peter H.)
Selectmen's Approval for sign board on Common and for use of
Common (Jonathan or Peter H.)
Trash Barrels from DPW (Peter Simms)
Tables from Old South Church (John Crosby)
Cider, apples, muffins, donuts (Virginia) (Hot Spot donated muffins)
balloons (Virginia)
tablecloths, napkins, cups (Virginia)
Sign Board (Soni, Kathy, Bill)
• Follow-up Work Session -to be held November 11 or 18.
perhaps the High School Lecture room.
Attendance:
Virginia M. Adams
Carolyn Boviard
Ruth Carmichael
Anna Carroll
Town of Reading
Downtown Steering Committee
Minutes of Meeting
September 28, 1995
Reading Public Library
6:30 p.m.
Jonathan Edwards
Bea Erickson
Kathy Greenfield
Peter Hechenbleikner
Bruce MacDonald
Jack Russell
Patricia Segalla
Peter Simms
Don Cowan Julieann Lastella Tom Stohlman
John Crosby Bill Lee Chris Twichell
Susan DiGiovanni Soni Clarke Lee Jean Christensen (MAPQ
• Peter Hechenbleikner introduced Jean Christensen Qf the Metropolitan Area
Planning Commission. He indicated that he has had conversations with David Sole,
the Commission's Executive Director. The Commission will provide professional
support throughout the "visioning" and revitalization effort.
Jean Christensen spoke to the Committee, and mentioned that the Town of
Needham is currently undergoing the same downtown reengineering as Reading.
She felt that the event that we have been planning for people to walk through
Downtown is less of a "charette", by definition, than it is a "Visioning Process". (A
charette is typically done by a team of hired professionals, whereas our event is to
involve, primarily, interested citizens.)
• Ms. Christensen defined "community" as that which "results from shared and
repeated experiences." The end result of the Visioning Process is to create a shared
perception of Reading's Downtown. Two methods which she suggested that the
Committee employ to acheive that result are: (1) a surveyand (2) a "critical" walk
through Downtown.
• It is believed that a suryeywill bring the broadest response, and will be an effective
means to gather data. The survey will be created by a staff of professionals from
MAPC, together with Town Hall officials, and some members of the steering
committee.
• Regarding the walk, it was determined that holding the event October 28 allows a
reasonable amount of time for planning, but that November 4 is not realistic for
"debriefing". October 19 is the probable date for training steering committee
members to help in leading participants on the walk.
• It will make more sense to simultaneously create the surveyand prepare for the
walk, see to the completion of each, and then integrate the gathered data.
Following the gathering of data, it will be time to draw goals and objectives, hold
further meetings for "reality checks" and then begin to seek sources of funds to
realize the goals.
The Media Task Force and the Logo Task Force, now known together as the Sub-
Committee on Communications, reported back to committee with samples for
the Logo and ideas for communicating in general and for the walk, specifically.
It was suggested that the walk be called The First Step There was a concensus to
use the term to describe the event. Forms of media to be used for various purposes
along the way, were outlined and handed out. We will see revised logos at the next
meeting and a draft of a `broadcast card' for The First Step
• The Business Task Force plans to send a letter to local businesses and landlords
to inform them of our weekly meetings and the "visionary process", including
The First Step The intent is to build support. The letter will be drafted for the
next meeting. They talked about perhaps creating a different survey aimed at the
business community.
TELEPHONE LIST
FOR THE
DOWNTOWN STEERING COMMITTEE
NAME
Virginia M. Adams
Carolyn Boviard
Ruth Carmichael
Anna Carroll
Don Cowan
John Crosby
Susan DiGiovanni
Jonathan Edwards
Bea Erickson
Kathy Greenfield
Peter Hechenbleikner
George Hines
Bryan Irwin
Julieann Lastella
Bill Lee
Soni Clarke Lee
Bruce MacDonald
Ken Maguire
Steve McLaughlin
Jack Russell
Peter Simms
Tom Stohlman
Chris Twichell
Jean Christensen
ADDRESS PHONE
59 Azalea Circle (Historical Comm) 944-7577
42 Chute Street
944-9523
233 West Street
942-7669
85 Haven Street (The Hot Spot)
942-5777
25 A Hamden Street (A Plus Printing)
944-2600
670 Main Street
944-2321
6 Grand Street
944-9997
Town Planner
942-9012
11 Harrison Avenue (Garden Club)
944-4066
192 Woburn Street
942-2072
Town Manager
942-9043
35 Grand Street (Selectman)
302 Woburn Street (CPDC)
180 Haven Street (Reading Co-op)
942-5008
69 Locust Street
944-2246
69 Locust Street
944-2246
67 Prospect Street (Selectman)
944-6384
Daily Chronicle
944-4144
195 Salem Street
91 Spruce Road
944-9229
648 Main Street (Simms Jewelers)
944-4031
14 Mineral Street
944-8307
4 Thorndike Street
942-9422
MAPC
451-2770
