HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-14 Board of Selectmen PacketEconomic Development Summit
SWOT analysis of Reading
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
•
Reading's pride of business
•
Sign by-law doesn't allow national brands
•
Skilled staff and volunteers
•
Zoning challenges
•
Non residential uniqueness
O
Bad reputation - not business friendly
•
Great market compared to other
®
Vacant lot by-law
communities
•
Poor communication w/ Property Owners
•
Strong Volunteer basis
.
Poor communication internal and external
•
Strong Leadership
•
Process too long (Town, CPDC, Cons
•
Strong desire for growth and success
Com etc)
•
Close community
•
Too much red tape - 115 forms
•
Down town reconstruction
•
State owned road
•
Shop the Block
•
Lacking in Customer service
•
Fall Street Faire
Opportunities:
Threats:
•
Educate landlords and brokers
•
Short term business (seasonal)
•
Productive / positive uses for youth in the
•
Parking.
down town
9
Mass. Highway constraints
•
50 /50 Campaign
Properties going into disrepair
•
5,5,5 Campaign
•
Lack of diversity in businesses
•
Meals tax
Perceived inflexibility of laws
•
DRT for all businesses big or small
•
No commercial development at Pearson
•
Market success
site
•
1 person to work with business (EDC
e
Ongoing communication - growth -
liaison)
sustainability
•
Mixed use down town
®
Who to go to
•
Combine smaller lots
•
DMV
v
Outline steps of how to open a business
Next Steps from fall meeting:
• Plan quarterly or semi-annual meetings -Next May 2011
• Every person should ask 1 business to come to Reading
• Send Passport to land lords
• Invite land lords to May meeting
Possible agenda topics:
• EDC update (Way finding - DIET - fagade improvements)
• CS Update - status of Oak Tree, Pearson, MF Charles etc
• Collaboration / charity begins at home: How to partner with other businesses
• What works what doesn't open discussion
• Guest speaker (other town, state or national on ED)
Economic Development Summit - 6/14/11
Current List of Projects
Activity
Type
Status Update
Walkers Brook
NE Cutler (244 Rear Ash)
Permitted and Approved for Expansion
Former RMV
Applying for demo permit to prep site
for marketing to potential tenants
S. of South St.
Reading Woods - 424 units -
10% affordable
Permitted and Approved - demo has begun
S. Main St.
Calareso's
Under Construction Spring 2011
285 Main Street - Perfecto's
Permitted and Approved; Awaiting
approvals from seller re: tanks
287 Main Street _ E-cars
Permitted and Approved
Construction Commence
Summer, 2011
258 Main, former Bridal Shop
Before Historical Commission: Demo Delay
Downtown
MF Charles Building
Recent expression of interest in a phased
approach under a comprehensive plan;
Awaiting SPR A lication
Oaktree Development Mixed
Use 100k s.f. bldg
Unknown
159 Haven, former
MassBank
Permitted and Approved for offices;
Under Construction Spring 2011
Zoning Changes
ATM - Spring, 2011
Approved Minor Site Plan Review; need.
AG approval. Guidelines being
developed by CPDC (zoning workshop
6/20111).
Streamlining
Conservation Commission
Report Pending
Historical Commission
ATM approved reducing demo delay
from 12 mo's to 6 mo's
Planning
Minor Site Plan Review - Summer, 2011
Planning
Template for temporary event approvals
Planning
Checklist - Site Plan Review _
_
Aquifer Protection District
Under Review - STM - Fall, 2011
_
L&P Permitting Software
Contract executed - implement b year end
Plannin
New Crossing Rd Redevel.
Draft plan to be presented to BOS
Regional Main Street
Corridor Plan (Melrose,
Wakefield, Reading)
Kick off meeting 6115/11 -funded by
DLTA Grant
Red notes changes since last November's Economic Summit
Other:
Be Gifted out of business
® Encore Consignment - out of business
® Aine's moving to the "be Gifted" site and expanding
4, Lack of progress - 18-20 Woburn St. (vacant Lot) owned by Lynch