Left In Lowell

All We Needed Was a Beer or Two

One Response to “All We Needed Was a Beer or Two”

1. waittilnextyr Says:
   February 10th, 2007 at 1:54 pm

   For CM Lynch, any or all of the following items. This is the status projected for the end of March. What can he do to improve the grades before then?

   Quarterly Update 3/31/07

   1. Control Property Taxes (D-)
   It appears that the increase this year is 5.4% above inflation (property value increase).
   2. Expand Commercial Tax Base (D)
   Some improvement with L’Energia back on the tax rolls. However, Hamilton Canal Master Plan is weak on encouraging commercial development. Recent column in the SUN indicated Lowell’s Commercial/Industrial tax base is 21%, whereas Cambridge is 61%. Lowell has a long way to go, and not much progress is being made.
   3. Put 180 Units of Affordable Housing on-line at Julian Steele (B)
   Incremental progress is being made. Phase 2 is underway.
   4. Close an Acceptable Deal for Hamilton Canal Properties (B)
   Taken by Eminent Domain, as negotiations failed.
   5. Put 900-car Parking Garage on-line on Middlesex St (D).
   It is being built, but there is a major cost problem that has not been addressed. Furthermore, the split into 2 bonds (tax-free and taxable) at about 50/50 implies that about 40% of the parking spaces are already committed to leases. Did those lease agreements anticipate the higher cost of the taxable bonds?
   6. Initiate Private Development in accordance with the JAM plan (C)
   RFP out to select Master Developer, however it doesn’t prioritize commercial development.
   7. Initiate Private Development at the Hamilton Canal Properties. (I)
   We’ll have to see what transpires in the next several months.
   8. Close Loopholes in Zoning Code to Avoid Neighborhood Exploitation (C)
   Made some progress, but still too much left to ZBA judgment.
   9. Eliminate “Appearance” of Conflict of Interest on Local Boards (A)
   Much improved with new appointments and televised meetings.
   10. Facilitate the Private Development of Next Phase of Mass Mills (F)
   No action taken.
   11. Create Significant Development Opportunity on Post Office Site. (C)
   No good proposals received, bad one rejected.
   12. Get Courthouse project underway, without taking liability for another parking garage. (I)
   Still uncertain, but it may be in JAM area. There would be a parking garage there, so maybe the City could strike a deal with the State to mitigate the City investment.
   13. Maintain Full Funding for School System. (B)
   They have done that for FY 2007, although there is still a contract dispute.
   14. Establish Enforceable Contracts for New School Construction Projects. (I)
   New school projects are not decided due to dramatic cost increases. Final settlement on Stoklosa school is about to be made public, I believe.
   15. Create Plan for Mixed Rate Affordable Housing. (D)
   Julian Steele is progressing. Condo development appears to be eating up commercial/indurial property, and that has to be a negative for economic development.
   16. Support UTECs efforts to Find New Home. (B)
   UTEC is moving, although it is not clear the City Council participated in the solution to the problem.
   17. Improve Traffic Flow and Eliminate Bottlenecks and Safety Hazards Citywide. (F)
   No real progress. Supposedly Chelmsford/Plain/Parker/Powell intersection is to be re-done soon.
   18. Bring jobs to the city. (C)
   Motorola agreement signed. Lowe’s may go ahead soon. However, biggest opportunity made be in JAM area, and that is still an open question.
   19. Make connection between educational institutions and new jobs. (D)
   Councilor Ramirez re-filed the request, but no obvious results as yet.
   20. Provide more opportunities for the city’s youth. (D)
   No real progress.
   21. Reduce crime, particularly gang activity. (C)
   Some improvement. It appears new police chief will follow the approach initiated by Chief Davis.

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