Biz Buzz

Today Rod Lee had story, sorry no link, on Grafton Street. The first paragraph concerned the NRSA and Dan Benoit presentation highlighting lower Grafton Street to the Grafton Hill Business Association (GHBA). In particular how Armando's cold have a more European street-scene feel

Winslow Park

City was awarded $500,000 from the Feds for Winslow Park and has committed another $125,000 of City monies for the park.

http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/NEWS/610310640/1008/NEWS02

Watching the City Council meeting tonight and City Manager O'Brien was talking about some city resources in particular the Parks Department. Some weeks, due to vacations/sick time/etc, all the parks are being cleaned by 6 people. Many of the councilors complained about the status of various parks, some only 4 or 5 years old.

I am not against parks, but if we are having a hard time cleaning the parks we have, should we be creating more parks especially when Elm Park is closeby. Add the fact that this has lots of commercial potential (Tax Revenues), which we need to maintain our fiscal stability (Manager's 5 year plan_.

In the end I simply do not see this making alot of sense.

Facade Meeting w/ Benoit

It went great. Dan has some great ideas for Suney's that he showed us. Kind of hard to explain here, but I have a copy to show everyone when we meet. Right now it appears that Suney's has all their paperwork together (they may have to still submit a check),the Chandler NRSA has approved the plans and the monies are avialable.

Right now it is up to the City of Worcester to process the paperwork and release the funds to allow the project to start.

Facade Program Day 9

So far I have met with Harding Glass to show them the work that I want to do. Right now I am awaiting their proposal. Next I am to meet with Atlantic Glass (a business within the NRSA district that is offering discounts) to get another bid. I am not sure but I believe that I need to submit three quotes? I will confirm.

Tomorrow we meet with Dan Benoit on Suney's facade program, while Andy/Artie/Rich are meeting with Joel Fontaine today on the parking overlay.

Grace Ross

She lives in the Chandler NRSA--2 Merrick St....

http://graceandmartina.org/

Winslow Park

I received a mailer today to donate some money to Winslow Park. Don't get me wrong I do not mind donating, but I just wonder if this a highest and best use of this land? Elm Park is a beautiful park and it is less then a 1/4 mile away do we really need another park so close. Right now, as it is, the City of Worcester has a hard enough time maintaining the current parks and can we afford to take another parcel off the tax rolls. Maybe I am wrong, but we (Chandler Business Group) should maybe discuss this???

PS In case you do not know, this parcel is on the corner of Winslow and Pleasant but I am not sure exactly how big the proposed park is..

Facade Progam Day 2

Today, Paul Morano dropped me an e-mail and I picked up the paperwork for the "Facade and Awning Incentive Grant Program". This is not a component of the NRSA, but a stand alone proram offered through the City of Worcester Economic Development Office.

Reviewing the paperwork and there is the line on the page entitle “Specific Requirements of the Façade & Awning Incentive Grant Program”:

“HUD Requirement: The Façade & Awning Incentive Grant Program must correct a physical impairment of the buildings facae, i.e. a Health and or Code violation, or create a new permanent full time positions for individuals from Low to Moderate Income families”

During the summer we had several meeting regarding how there two HUD National Objective really limits the effectiveness of the the program. Dennis Hennessy, however, was able to get our HUD rep to agree that a project in an NRSA designated would also fill the HUD requirements. As we understand it there are three qualifying HUD National Objectives:

1. repairing code violations
2. creating permanent jobs for low to moderate income families
3. being located within an designated NRSA

If this changes, I will let you know.

Bill

Meeting With Dan Benoit

Next Friday October 27th at 9:30 AM, I am meeting with Dan Benoit, architect hired by the City of Worester for the NRSA, to discuss status of Suney's application. Anyone want to come, feel free--Pleasant Street Grille.

Facade Program

Putting aside the NRSA, the city has an existing Facade Program:
http://www.worcestermass.org/business/assistance.html#facade

In the past, the only qualifying HUD National Objective was to eithe have existing code vioaltions that need to be corrected or create jobs. Now the City of Worcester has added a 3rd qualifying objective, location is in an NRSA designated area.

The current NRSA area for Chandler extends all the way down Pleasant Street to Main Street on the even side, which includes two small storefronts that I want to do over. At the same time I thought it would be a good idea for me to go through the process, as well, and report my progress.

Day 1 is today. At lunch I walked downtown and put in a request for the paperwork for this program. I will keep everyone abreast on my progress.

Parking Overlay

Chandler Business Group

I have contacted Joel Fontane and we have a meeting set up for October 26th. I am hoping to go by his lead on this. I hope that what ever he can set up will be a much needed relief for some of our older existing commercial building.

NRSA Meeting

Laurel, Steve and I met with Paul Morano this morning... Again felt it was very productive. We all confirmed that fact the the Chandler Business Group and Common Ground are equal partners in the success (and failure) of the NRSA. Right now we all still agree that the Suney's/Golden Pizza project, or projects, are a great example as to what the NRSA can do in the Chandler Business Corridor.

To date, the applicant in the above example has most of his paperwork in, although some paperwork is still outstanding. We feel that the next step is for the applicant and the architect, Dan Benoit, should meet with representatives from both Common Ground and the Chandler Business Group to get our "seal of approval". By then all of the outstanding paperwork should be submitted and should merely be a question of the City of Worcester processing the paperwork.

Once the process shows visible signs of success, we will highlight the potential of the Chandler NRSA by having Rod Lee doing a story in the Telegram. Our next step in the short-ter, two weeks, is to meet and review the plans for this project.

Chandler NRSA Area

Today I had my haircut at my tenants place on 432 Pleasant Street. Arriving a little early, I decided to walk-over and say "Hi" to Laurel. Got me to thinking how last year my game plan was to build this building for either a retail or office, sell the building and make a profit.

Initially I did not get the activity that I wanted, although I did after I had leased it, but then started to think about the long-term potential of this site. Maybe it would be a better idea/investment to hold the building and lease it, which I have done for 5 years. Time will tell.

One of the reasons that helped me to stay was the Chandler Business Association and the potential that can be realized through the NRSA designation.

Chandler NRSA Application

Kind of confusing but here goes. Go to this link on the City Council Archive pages:

http://www.ci.worcester.ma.us/ccocalendars/City%20Council/2005/weblink.cgi?unique_id=cc2005mar24103016

You will see a list of files, hit the 2nd down. It has 564 pages. The CBA application with Common Ground starts at page 471 and goes to the end. It is pretty interesting. Please note page 481:

Description of Existing and Proposed Organization Structure

The present collaboration betwen the Chandler Business and Common Ground defines the existing structure. The Chandler Business has served as the guiding and decision-making body for past activities, planning and defining the NRSA proposal. .... Common Ground will be serving as the CBDO, providing organizational resources. The Chandler Business and participants will continue to fill the role in steering and making decisions on NRSA planning.

NSRA

Chandler Business Group

Good news. It was always presented to the CBA that we were ALL suppose to be involved on how the money would be spent. This is why we presented it to the council. I have noticed in the funds that there is more money. Second the funds are broken down different than what we applied for. My question always has been and was brought up at the last CBA meeting are we all involved or is it going to be WCG choice on what happens. Dennis Hennesy was there to address this and WCG was not present at the meeting for the first time. It will be interesting to see.

Meeting with Paul Morano

Laurel and I are meeting with Paul Morano next Tuesday morning at 8:00AM at Pleasant Street Grille. Our feelings are that the work being done with Suney’s/Golden Pizza can highlight various components of the NRSA program and we should run with that as the example of what the NRSA can do for Chandler Street. We need to make sure that the Suney's/Golden Pizza project is on track and that the project actually is something we want to show as “the example.”. Will update next week.

NRSA Update

Laurel, Steve and I had a very productive meeting this morning. Before I go into our ideas, here is the break-down of the NRSA funds:

• Housing Rehab 54,000
• Business Development 20,000
• Business Promotion 17,000
• Facades 15,000
• Workforce Development 15,000
• Trash Receptacles 10,000
• Streetscape 10,000
• Main Street Organization 2,000

Total Funds 143,000... Our main thoughts right now are that we have the monies in place, but how do we them invested back into the area. To that end, we decided that showcasing the developments with the properties housing Golden Pizza and Suneys, which will pull monies from various components of the NRSA, would be a great way to get the word out.

Currently I am going to get in touch with Paul Morano to determine where we stand on these projects and Steve is going to contact Rod Lee from the Telegram. A story on the Chandler Street Business corridor highlighting the work at Suney's/Golden Pizza would be a great way to advertise the benefits of the NRSA to area businesses.

CBA & CWDNA

As we are all aware, there are many issues facing both the residents and business owners in the Chandler Street area. With the rescent formation of the Chandler Street, Winfield & Dewey Street Neighborhood Association (CWDNA) and the ongoing efforts of the Chandler Street Business Association (CBA) the community as a whole will be well served.

With the CWDNA focusing on crime and grime, this will allow CBA to focus primarily on NSRA/Facade Programs and Perking Overlay issues. CBA is working closely with Worcester Common Ground and various Worcester City officials to get these programs off the ground.

While both groups will be utilizing many of the same resources this dual association set up will eliminate the need for city officials, city police, residents, business owners, etc. from attending multiple meeting and/or meetings that are not addressing agenda issues related to their specific focus.

The CBA would be interested in receiving correspondence or schedules of upcoming meetings of the CWDNA. so we may have a representative (Laurel) attend those meeting in order to keep updated on residential issues and receive feedback on any business issues that may arise. Likewise, CBA will send updates on our progress to whomever you designate as your representative.

To that end, we at the CBA feel that this new structure is a very positive one and should ensure that all issues within the community are being address in a positive manner and resolved in a timely manner.

If anyone has any questions or would like additional information, please feel free to contact me at laurel.ciprari@tdbanknorth....com or 508-890-3401.

115 Dewey Street

I saw a variance posting in the paper today for a grocery store looking to run some type of retail operation at the above location and they needed a variance since the area was zoned MG. Didn't we change this address zone designation from MG to BG?

NRSA Meeting

Laurel and I are trying to set-up up a meeting with Steve Patton next Tuesday or Wednesday to discuss the status of the current NRSA and how we should roll it out. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: We are meeting next Wednesday October 11th at 8:00 --Pleasant Street Grille.

Facade Program

I am definately going to apply for 432 Pleasant Street (Bellevue & Pleasant) for the existing facade program (not part of the NRSA). Nothing huge but some better windows, signage and awning would look nice. Anyone know a good sign/awning guy??

Check out this link to Ficthburg's facade program (they have a very successful program):

http://www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us/facade_program.htm

On the City of Worcester website I found this on the bottom on the link below:

http://www.worcestermass.org/business/assistance.html#facade

Beaver Brook

Thank you to Chief Gemm and his staff for finding the people that caused the damage at Beaver Brook. Thank you for a job well done!!!!

Beaver Brook Reward

I hope everyone had a chance to read the article on the damage done at Beaver Brook.
Having grown up in this area being able to play there as well as being able to continue my Family business here I am offering this as a member of The Chandler Business Association I will give a $500.00 reward to any information leading to the arrest of the people who caused this damage. The park was looking great and it is sad to have this set back.



http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061001/NEWS/610010478/0/FRONTPAGE

Andy Serrato

Institutional Linen Property

I have been following some of the transactions in the Registry of Deeds.. First of all the two properties were sold to Mason Winfield LLC for 110,000:

1. 11/2/5 book 37717 page 51 48 Mason Street 66,853
2. 11/2/5 book 37717 page 59 47 Mason Street 43,147

Two months later Mason Winfield transferred 48 Mason Street to one of the minority owner stake-holders (Worcester Common Ground) for $10,

1. 1/1/06 book 38185 page 55 48 Mason Street $10

Since that time Worcester Commone Ground has received a grant in the amount of 170,000 from the EPA BCRLF to remdiate 48 Mason Street. Since Common Ground is a non-profit they (Common Ground)will not have to pay the 170,000 back. It is grant.

I imagine that when the $170,000 of work is done, Worcester Common Ground will deed back 48 Mason Street to Mason-Winfield (for profit corp)for $10. Does this sound fair?? If you get a minority partner, who is a non-profit, you can park property in their name and be eligible for Brownfield Clean-up grants that do not have to be paid back even if the project is controlled by a for profit entity.

Facade Program

This is a great program. Please note this is not part of the NRSA--I am talking about the original facade program that has been around for years. Consider loans up to $10,000/ Yes, they are loans but are forgiven after 5 years if:

1. Improvements are maintained for the 5 years
2. You still own the building

In the past it did not work well because you either had to:

1. creat jobs
2. fix code violations

Now, you can qualify merely by being located in the NRSA district. To be honest I am thinking of applying to put an awning on 432 Pleasant, replace some windows and put up better signage. Let me emphasize again that this facade program is not part of the NRSA.

Bill Randell

Impact Zones

Interesting story:

http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061001/NEWS/610010518/1116/NEWSREWIND