Chandler Business Group

Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area accomplishments - Chandler Street Business Association

noreply@blogger.com (Paulie's Point of View) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:08:00 +0000

The Chandler Street Business Association has been working very hard on the NRSA Program....it has had many accomplishments to date.

Chandler Street Business Association - June 2009 Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Paulie's Point of View) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:16:00 +0000

The Chandler Street Business Association June 2009 monthly meeting will be on June 17th - 10:00 A.M. at EVO Restaurant 232 Chandler Street.

EVO is a new restaurant next door to Living Earth - great new addition to the neighborhood.

NRSA Update

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:29:00 +0000

Through the end of the second fiscal year (June 30, 1008), the Chandler NRSA has been awarded some 286,000. As of December 31, 2007, only 43,217.37 has been invested. In other words we have approximately $242,800 left untapped.

Right now we are going to focus on three years to see that these monies are invested:

facades
cleaning and beautification of Chandler Street
traffic islands sponsored by the Chandler Business Group

Does anyone know anyone who can decorate and maintain a traffic island??

Thanks

Bill

The Chandler Street Business Association has a new web site

noreply@blogger.com (Paulie's Point of View) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:22:00 +0000

Please see www.chandlerstreetbusiness.com for more information on this dynamic group:>)

It is under construction but up and running as of today:>)

Lots of great stuff to be going up soon!

Cameras on Chandler Street

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:32:00 +0000

I put this blog on my airport blog, but why can's we push for some smart cameras in the Chandler Street area?

Click here

One Year Later

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:20:00 +0000

I knew it had been some time since the last post, but over a year? What has transpired? The NRSA has been a complete bust:

Three facades: Bahnan, Mark Dumas, Suney
Summer Internship Program: Around the Corner
One Home Improvement

In total I believe only approximately $50,000 has been spent of the first two years of allocations (think around $280,000). I will get accurate numbers on both of these over the next week. Has there not been any interest? Just the opposite, there is alot of interest.

Why has it stalled? There is nobody to handle the day to day administration of the plan. We have even gone to the point to hire a consultant to help with the daily implementation of the NRSA. Although this was recommended by City Of Worcester Economic Development Office and it is an eligiblue usage of CDBG monies according to HUD, our request has been denied.

What confuses me is that I thought it was up to us (Chandler Business Group and Common Ground) to determine how best to spend the funds, while following the HUD guidelines?

Facade Program Day 77

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 12:44:00 +0000

I have all of my paperwork done, but I am waiting for a design of the storefront from my architect. Once I have all that then I will submit the application and design.

Storefront Facade Update

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 18:36:00 +0000

The application has been revised and the Law Department is drafting an agreement between the City and the CBDO’s. The City hopes to have everything finalized in two to three weeks.

Lenny Ciufredo

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 16:16:00 +0000

Congrats to Lenny. Lenny is the chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals and is protesting the fact the $26,000,000 Performing Arts Center is getting a $195,000 waiver of fees from the City of Worcester.

A three bedroom single family house has approximately $4,000 in sewer and water fees, not to mention all the other building permit fees. Recently the bedroom fee was increased from $660 to $990 per bedroom,how do we justify a 50% increase here, but waiver $195,000. In addition a single family home will most likely contribute to the tax-base, while the Performing Arts Center will not.

I think this is a great project but this waiver is simply wrong and what about the precedent. I know the Greek Church has an expansion that is going to run approximately $12,000,000 should their fees be waived too?? Where do you draw the line?

Facade Program

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 15:26:00 +0000

Spoke with Paul Morano yesterday, Dennis Hennessy was out of the office last week so there was no updates on the status of the documents from the Law Department. Paul said that he will have an update by the end of this week.

Mason Winfield

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 15:14:00 +0000

From the City Council agenda for next Tuesday:

A public hearing was held on Thursday August 17, 2006, to review the proposed Environmental Remediation Plans as a precondition for the developers to receive the $170,000 grant from the EPA through the City of Worcester. The City Law Department forwarded draft agreement documents on October 4, 2006, to the developer's counsel in preparation for the disbursement of the funds. A site plan for a portion of the 21 units planned on the large parcel was submitted to the Planning Board and approved on 9/6/6 and 10/4/6. Site plan approval has already been by the Planning Board for two units on the smaller parcel.

Developers continue to seek construction financing and a $500,000 MassDevelopments Brownfield Loan. The application packages are currently under review by Webster Five Cent Savings Bank. Additionally environmental assessment is currently under contract for $170,000 of EPA funds administered to the City, to be executed the week of December 11, 2006. The Quality Assurance Project Plan has been approved by the EPA and the cooperation agreement is being prepared between the City and the Worcester Common Ground.

Eddie's Market

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 17:15:00 +0000

I noticed that the market, Eddie's I think the name was, on Piedmont and Pleasant, it looked empty yesterday. Have they moved or closed??

Know Your Street

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:47:00 +0000

City Clerk has a great web site detailing history of streets, including Chandler Street:

Click here

Facade Update

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 16:38:00 +0000

Laurel and I spoke with Paul Morano, who has been great, to check on the status of our 1st facade program at Suneys. Right now the law department is finalizing all the documents that need to be signed by the applicant and Common Ground, before the monies are released.

We have made a note to contact Paul one week from today to check on the status.

Atlantic Glass

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 15:37:00 +0000

The potential power of this group. Today my tenant called to let me know that her front door had been smasked. Not completely broken (laminated) but spider webbed. I called my insurance company, who referred me to JN Phillips.

Then I remembered, however, Andy told me about Atlantic Glass (508-793-2100) on Mason Street. I stopped in on my way to work and he is taking care of it.

Parking Overlay

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Serrato) — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 14:30:00 +0000

Chandler Business Group

I have set up a meeting with Joel Fontaine regarding the overlay. We are meeting December 8th at 3:00 44 Front St suite 510. I also talked with the owners of 229 Chandler St. Corner of Dewey St. the old Fashion Flair building. A lot of people have been interested but with no parking as well as no one in the area to help them with relief. Maybe we need to discuss no parking requirements for existing stores/storefronts to help move these properties along. Two pizza places were interested and needed relief of 5 spots neither wanted to wait for a variance. This overlay project could takes 6 months but I feel is worth putting in place. The interesting thing is that the stores are now rented. They will open up without permits to operate because of pre-existing use?? They still should have parking requirements but these businesses unlike restaurants do not trigger permit requirements or enforcement of restaurants.

Winslow--Pleasant Street Parcel

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 16:57:00 +0000

I was thinking today the effect a $450,000 sale of an empty parcel will have on vacant parcels, not to mention all assessed values in the area, will have on the surrounding parcels assessed value?

Renaming of Chandler Street

noreply@blogger.com (Laurel Ciprari) — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 18:03:00 +0000

Just a quick update on the petiton that circulated to the business owners on Chandler Street regarding the renaming of Chandler Street (from Main to Park Ave) to Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Approximately 25 small business owners signed the petition against the name change stating that their reasons being first; the historical background (John Chandler), secondly the financial burden and lastly the inconvenience.

The CBA would like to thank those small business owners for taking the time to address this issue and support the decision. It was decided that the petition FOR the name change was denied. It now appears that the another street within the City of Worcester - Central Street is being looked at for the name change.

It's nice to know that you do have a say in the community.

Again, thank you for your support.

Sunday Paper Telegram Story

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 17:44:00 +0000

MLK Blvd.’ plan studiedNew name for Central St.

By Winston W. Wiley TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFFwwiley@telegram.com

The subcommittee is expected to make its recommendation on the Central Street name change Tuesday.

WORCESTER— A local effort is under way that would bring together two prominent African-American historical figures downtown. Streets bearing the names of Marshall W. “Major” Taylor and Martin Luther King Jr. would cross paths just outside the Worcester Convention Center, if a proposal before a City Council subcommittee is eventually adopted. The measure would rename Central Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in honor of the slain civil rights leader. A section of Worcester Center Boulevard was renamed Major Taylor Boulevard in July, in recognition of the 1899 world cycling champion, affectionately known as the “Worcester Whirlwind.” It intersects Central Street.

Being pursued by a local group that calls itself Concerned Black Men, the Central Street name change was offered at a recent City Council Department of Public Works subcommittee meeting as an alternative to Chandler Street, which the group initially had sought to have renamed. “We were looking to change Chandler Street because two of the buildings owned and controlled by African-Americans are on that street,” said James C. Bonds, a CBM facilitator. Those buildings are the Quinsigamond Lodge of Elks and the Martin Luther King Jr. Business Empowerment Center.

The subcommittee, however, resisted the proposal to change Chandler Street, CBM members said, because of the inconvenience and expense to the many businesses and homeowners along the heavily commercial road. Named for the prominent Worcester family of Col. John Chandler, who served as a selectman, town treasurer, town clerk, county treasurer, sheriff, probate court judge, state representative and colonel of the Worcester regiment during the 1700s, Chandler Street runs three miles from Main Street to Pleasant Street in Tatnuck Square.

It is the address to numerous homes, businesses, two public elementary schools, Worcester State College and Temple Emanuel. Dan M. Hargrove, a resident of the Tatnuck Street area and member of CBM, said some of the group’s members initially were not thrilled with the Central Street alternative because they felt Chandler Street was more suitable, as well as much more visible. At a meeting a week ago at Emmanuel Baptist Church, however, the group agreed that Central Street was a good choice because of its location within what was historically the local black community in the Laurel/Clayton/Summer streets areas.

Currently, Central Street has only a few homes — mostly in a two-block span from Shrewsbury Street to Mulberry Street, known as East Central Street — and even fewer businesses. The Joseph D. Early Post Office and a medical office building are the only two major structures fronting the street, although others, such as the new county courthouse, the Worcester Convention Center, the Hilton Garden Inn, Worcester Medical Center and the Hampton Inn sit along the street.

The subcommittee is expected to make its recommendation on the Central Street name change Tuesday. Mr. Bonds said getting a street named for Rev. King would be the tip of the iceberg for CBM. “Our purpose is much greater than a street,” he said. “Our goal is trying to save black youth. A street name will help to build pride,” he said, but the ultimate goal is to get the black community involved in the overall community and the effort to uplift black youth. To that end, the group has seven committees through which it will develop and implement strategies to address issues facing the black community, according to Mr. Bonds. They are: spiritual, political, youth, economic, cultural, health and education committees. “One of the issues we identified was a lack of identity, and one of our goals as a group is to instill a sense of identity in the black community,” said Mr. Hargrove, a local chiropractor. “Although people are aware of who Major Taylor is, the name Martin Luther King is much more significant to the youth at this point.”

Mason Street Project

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 20:26:00 +0000

I was watching the City Council Meeting last night and Kate Toomey inquired as to the status of the Mason Street Project. Julie Jacobson answered by saying the group was still working on their financing, including HOME funds (Grants) and hoped to start in the Spring.

Ironically they scored Advantageous in on their financial plan when they submitted their proposal based on a Letter of Interest from Legacy Capital (3/5/5 City Council). What is a "letter of interest"?

Busy Week

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 13:52:00 +0000

I did nothing last week for the Chandler Business or my facade plans for 82 Pleasant Street. This week should be a little slower and I:

hope to meet with Dan Benoit
complete the paperwork for Paul Morano

Telegram Winslow Park

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 17:01:00 +0000

Another story in the paper:

http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061101/COLUMN44/611010712/1008/NEWS02

Read my comments below just now again.. I am by no means against this park, but I just question with Elm Park being around the corner, the shortage of staff people already at the Parks department, commercial/residential potential of this lot and the current 5 year fiscal plan for the city whether or not this was the best use.

Chandler Street

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Serrato) — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 13:17:00 +0000

There is a petition going in front of the committee on pulic works asking for a name change of Chandler Street from Park Ave to Main St. The petitioner is Charles Luster and he is asking for the name to be changed to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The first hearing is Novemeber 16th at 6:00 in the City Council Chambers. Any thoughts??

Biz Buzz

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:00:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Randell) — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 14:27:00 +0000

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.