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2005-02-01 SRA Special Meeting MinutesSRA Minutes February 1, 2005 Page 1 of 3 MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING OF THE SALEM REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD ON FEBRUARY 1, 2005 A special meeting of the Salem Redevelopment Authority (SRA) Board was held in the third floor conference room at the City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street, on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 at 6:00pm. Chairman Michael Brennan called the meeting to order and on roll call, the following members were present: Michael Brennan, Michael Connelly, and Christine Sullivan. Lynn Duncan, Executive Director of the SRA, and Valerie Gingrich, Staff Planner, were also present. REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROJECTS 1. Old Salem Jail Mr. Brennan explained that they will be discussing the Jail reuse study process at this meeting and introduced Steve Cecil, Jonathon Harris and Peter Smith. Review of Existing Building and Site Conditions Mr. Cecil stated that they have worked their way through the spaces except for the barn. He stated that the snow and the structural state of the barn did not allow access to the barn. Mr. Cecil stated that they will be looking at the barn in the next week. Mr. Cecil went over the existing conditions of the jail and the jailer’s house. Mr. Cecil stated that the interior cell structure may be supporting the roof, so they will be looking at options for restructuring the roof without the cell structure in place. He added that as is typical, they will have to look at seismic code requirements for the building. Mr. Cecil pointed out that the Bridge Street Bypass project will create a landscape island in front of the jail complex, which will add to the site. Observations Regarding Historic Resources Mr. Cecil stated that the property is on both the National and State Register of Historic Places. He stated that the developer will be guided by the Historic Commission’s standards and that there is a preservation restriction on the Jailer’s house. Ms. Duncan stated that her understanding was that the preservation restriction was on the entire site. Stanley Smith, member of Historic Salem Inc., stated that it was a broad agreement. Ms. Duncan stated that they will need to get a clarification from Mass Historic regarding the restriction. Mr. Cecil stated that they would take another look at it. Mr. Cecil added that regardless SRA Minutes February 1, 2005 Page 2 of 3 of the restriction, they will be using the secretary of the interior’s standards for rehabilitation as a baseline and then consider an alternative common sense approach to what can be preserved. Mr. Cecil stated that for the barn, they will assume that it will be saved or rebuilt. Market Evaluation Progress Report Mr. Smith went over census information for Salem and reviewed housing sales in the last few years. He stated that the residential market is the strongest and it has the best chance of working at the jail. Jim Treadwell suggested that the consultant look at the market study that was done for the North River Canal Corridor Neighborhood Master Plan. Ms. Sullivan asked if an acquisition cost was accounted for. Mr. Smith stated that the rough numbers for redevelopment do not account for an acquisition cost. Ms. Duncan asked if historic preservation issues are included in the figures provided. Mr. Smith stated that they are. Review and Discussion: List of Possible Uses Mr. Cecil went over the list of possible uses. Ms. Duncan questioned if a mixed-use project would be feasible. Mr. Smith commented that it is a possibility but there are risks with doing retail. Mr. Cecil commented that there is not a great deal of foot traffic in the immediate area. He added that the cost of rehabilitating the jail for mixed use would cost more than a new development. Mr. Smith asked the SRA what their goals are in the redevelopment of the jail complex. Ms. Sullivan commented that the jail is a major downtown site and it is surrounded by a mall, theater, housing and additional office space when 10 Federal Street is built out. She stressed that the redevelopment create a lively and active use. Mr. Cecil stated that they will look at mixes that could occur. Mr. Brennan commented that what will be built will depend on the market and what the SRA wants to see. Mr. Connelly asked the consultants if they have seen co-developers do a project like the jail. Mr. Smith commented that he has seen it. Ms. Duncan agreed that retail can be tough. Mr. Cecil stated that the jail doesn’t have frontage that would encourage retail. He added that a very specialized retail use could work but it is not likely. SRA Minutes February 1, 2005 Page 3 of 3 Public Meeting: Intended Format and Agenda Adjournment There being no further business, Mr. Connelly motioned to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Sullivan seconded. Motion passed (3-0). Meeting stands adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Valerie Gingrich Staff Planner