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2005-09-14 SRA MinutesSRA Minutes September 14, 2005 Page 1 of 4 MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING OF THE SALEM REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 A Regular 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 Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at 6:00pm. Roll Call Acting Chairman Russell Vickers called the meeting to order, and on roll call the following members were present: Michael Brennan, Conrad Baldini, Michael Connelly, Christine Sullivan, and Russell Vickers. Also present were Lynn Duncan, Executive Director, Tania Hartford, Staff Planner, and Debra Tucker, Clerk. NEW BUSINESS Marine Arts Building Councilor O’Leary addressed the board concerning the Marine Arts building. Water has been leaking through the wall and the owner, Mr. Kiernan, is worried about his expensive artwork. Councilor O’Leary reported that the owner has been trying to negotiate with the Peabody Essex Museum on repairs. The concrete finish is cracked. The owner is requesting permission to apply a skim coat of concrete or stucco for the winter in order to protect the building. The plastic sheeting is not working. Ms. Sullivan asked if this would be a temporary fix. Councilor O’Leary said that it would be temporary in order to protect the building and that the final repair will be brick. Ms. Duncan noted that if this is just repair work and temporary that it should be handled administratively and she asked that Mr. Kiernan contact her. She added that she would contact the City Solicitor, as well. Ms. Sullivan commented that she hoped that the two parties could work this out. Mr. Brennan told Councilor O’Leary that they would finish this discussion at the end of the meeting and thanked him for coming. 1. Executive Director’s Report- None REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROJECTS 2. Old Salem Jail – Summary of proposals received, discussion of selection process, and schedule of special meeting, if necessary. Ms. Duncan reported that there were 9 proposals received with a wide variety of uses . She stated that the proposals were exciting and diverse. She went on to briefly summarize the proposals received and added that the staff will need to review them to see if all have met the thresholds. The proposals will now need to be evaluated in accordance with the criteria. Ms. Duncan recommended that a special meeting be held in order to short list or select finalists for interviews and presentations. The public will be invited. After discussion it was decided that a special meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 28 at 1:30 p.m. The regular October meeting will be changed to the 19th. Ms. Duncan said that in the meantime she will send copies of the proposals to and get comments from the historic component from Historic Salem, Inc., Salem Historic Commission, and Massachusetts Historic Commission prior to the special meeting. SRA Minutes September 14, 2005 Page 2 of 4 Ms. Sullivan added that another meeting may be necessary if the proposals are all wonderful. She said that there is a lot of material to analyze. Ms. Duncan said that Ms. Hartford was taking the criteria and making a chart for the board to use for evaluation. She added that Peter Smith will put together a potential scope for his review and analysis of the proposals. Mr. Baldini moved that a special meeting be held on September 28, 2005 at 1:30 p.m. for the purpose of evaluating the Old Salem Jail redevelopment proposals, that the October meeting be rescheduled to October 19, 2005, and that the annual meeting be rescheduled to November 9, 2005. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion. Motion passed (5-0). DEVELOPMENT REVIEW Project Amendment 3. 17 Central Street (Old Police Station) – Approval of the DRB recommendation for the proposed changes to the Final Design Plans for the redevelopment at 17 Central Street. The Design Review Board has recommended approval of the proposed changes to the Final Design Plans for lighting for the redevelopment at 17 Central Street. Mr. Vickers moved to approve the proposed changes to the Final Design Plans for lighting for the redevelopment at 17 Central Street as recommended by the Design Review Board. Mr. Connelly seconded the motion. Motion passed (5-0). OTHER PROJECTS Project Approval 4. New Derby Street Bus Shelter (Kate Sullivan/Mayor’s Office) – Approval of proposed MBTA bus shelter in front of Walgreen’s at the intersection of New Derby and Dodge Streets. Kate Sullivan of the Mayor’s Office and Lt.. Conrad Prosnewski of the Police Department appeared before the board in order to discuss the bench design at Lappin Park. There have been complaints by businesses and residents concerning teens hanging around the park and people sleeping on the benches. The Police Department has responded to the area. Ms. Kate Sullivan requested that the board consider other bench designs, which may discourage unwanted loitering. She submitted a suggestion for consideration. Lt. Prosnewski suggested reconfiguring the benches so that they are closer to the statue, adjusting the lighting, consideration of a bench with no back and a bar in the middle as well as slats and darker in color. These ideas were presented as ways to reduce loitering, skateboarders, and graffiti. Mr. Vickers commented that the board should review the bench design but should also look at that whole problem including lighting and any other ideas to solve the bigger problem. Lt. Prosnewski stated that the Police Department approached the Mayor’s office after a flood of calls this summer. He noted that this seemed to be the appropriate time to address the problem while the park is being redesigned. Mr. Baldini said that the board would work with law enforcement. Ms. Christine Sullivan agreed and said that it was a serious issue downtown. Michael Brennan did not believe that the matter required a board vote. Ms. Kate Sullivan said that she had spoken with Doug Bollen of the Park and Recreation Department and they may be able to use the benches that were originally ordered. She added that she will work with the Planning Department to obtain cost estimates. SRA Minutes September 14, 2005 Page 3 of 4 Ms. Duncan said that the benches were provided by TV Land and that they may be able to work with the supplier to exchange them. Ms. Kate Sullivan said that the original plan was for 1 double and 4 single benches. Ms. Duncan stated that it would be appropriate to send the matter to the Design Review Board since it would be a modification to the design plan. Mr. Vickers added that they should look at all of the ideas even if they aren’t implemented until later. Ms. Sullivan moved that the matter of possible public safety changes to the design of Lappin Park, including benches and lighting, be sent to the Design Review Board for their consideration. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion. The motion passed (5-0). 5. Lappin Park (Kate Sullivan/Mayor’s Office & Lt.. Conrad Prosnewski and Officer Burke/Police Dept.) – Discussion of bench design at Lappin Park. Kate Sullivan of the Mayor’s Office appeared before the board to inform them of the proposed MBTA bus shelter for the front of Walgreen’s at the intersection of New Derby and Dodge Streets. She reported that this shelter falls under the jurisdiction of the SRA. A company fully maintains and cleans these shelters. The City will receive 22% of the advertising revenues and this money will be dedicated to the City beautification program. Ms. Christine Sullivan asked if there would be any space on the shelter for the City to use for advertising. Ms. Kate Sullivan responded that there is and the board reviewed a sample. The MBTA has indicated that it is feasible that the shelter work may be done in November. Mr. Baldini moved to approve the proposed bus shelter as presented for the area in front of Walgreen’s at New Derby and Dodge Streets. Mr. Connelly seconded the motion. The motion passed (5-0). 6. 282 Derby Street (Taste of Cilantro) – Approval of the installation of an umbrella over the current outdoor café off from Liberty Street. The proposal for the installation of an umbrella over the current outdoor café of the Taste of Cilantro on Liberty Street as approved by the Design Review Board was presented for approval. After discussion it was determined that the umbrella should be installed in the ground for safety. Three bricks will be removed temporarily to bolt the umbrella. The bricks will be reinstalled when the umbrella is removed. Mr. Connelly moved to approve the proposal for installation of an umbrella over the current outdoor café of the Taste of Cilantro on Liberty Street with modification to install the umbrella into the ground for safety. The bricks will be reinstalled when the umbrella is removed. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion. The motion passed (5-0). SIGN REVIEW Project Approval 7. 51 Lafayette Street (Derby Lofts) – Approval of the revised “Caution” signs included in the proposed sign package for building. The Design Review Board recommended approval of the revised “Caution” signs included in the proposed sign package for building at 51 Lafayette Street (Derby Lofts). John Gately of Winter Street Architects presented the revised plan. The signs were moved from the face of the building to the corner. There will be flashing lights and an alarm eleven feet off of the ground at the garage exit. The signs were lowered to five feet and moved closer to the corner with an angle change for better visibility. SRA Minutes September 14, 2005 Page 4 of 4 Mr. Baldini moved that the revised “Caution” signs included in the proposed sign package for building at 51 Lafayette Street (Derby Lofts) be approved as recommended by the Design Review Board. Mr. Connelly seconded the motion. The motion passed (5-0). MINUTES Minutes from the Regular Meeting held August 10, 2005 were presented for approval. Mr. Vickers moved that the minutes from the Regular Meeting held on August 10, 2005 be approved. Mr. Connelly seconded the motion. The motion passed (5-0). NEW BUSINESS (cont.) The board discussed the Marine Arts building request concerning approval of temporary repairs. Mr. Vickers commented that the approval will be for repair and is for masonry repairs to a masonry wall. Ms. Duncan said that she wanted approval that it is temporary and administrative in nature. Michael Brennan directed Ms. Duncan to ensure that the repairs are acceptable and that the color is acceptable and asked her to run the matter by the City Solicitor. Ms. Sullivan said that she was adamant that this is not a permanent repair and that it is an emergency temporary solution. Mr. Connelly moved that the matter of the temporary repairs to the masonry wall of the Marine Arts building be handled as an administrative matter and be coordinated through the Executive Director’s office. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion. The motion passed (5-0). ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mr. Connelly motioned to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion, and the motion passed (5-0). Meeting stands adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Debra Tucker Clerk