Left In Lowell

Here is frequent LiL commentator Waittilnextyr’s City Council Quarterly Report Card

1. Control Property Taxes (B+)
Last year it was 5.4% above inflation (property value increase). For FY’08 it is targeted at 2.5% period. This is the first budget proposed by CM Lynch and it was frugal, transparent and complete. However, the CC did request some increases to the budget, and subsequent agreements to the arena contracts add further risk to holding the line at 2.5%. However, the CM has recently announced that the $800K added to the school budget, previously to be “paid for” by the Telecom tax, can now be covered by savings achieved (primarily) during FY 2007.

2. Expand Commercial Tax Base (C)
Some improvement with L’Energia back on the tax rolls, and plans for both Lowe’s and Target to come online in the next few years. However, Hamilton Canal Master Plan is weak on encouraging commercial development. Although delayed, the Master Developer selection has been made, and the charette process should begin shortly.

3. Put 180 Units of Affordable Housing on-line at Julian Steele (B)
First phase complete/sold, second phase complete/nearly sold. Third phase appears to be late (originally planned to start in April ’07).

4. Close an Acceptable Deal for Hamilton Canal Properties (B-)
Property was taken by Eminent Domain, as negotiations failed. The final cost may be tied up in litigation. No news released on anticipated payment by Developer.

5. Put 900-car Parking Garage on-line on Middlesex St (C-)
Construction is going ahead, apparently on schedule, and within the increased budget. However, the budget disconnect has not been solved, and the interest expense has bumped up significantly for FY 2008. The commercial space lease apparently requires legislature exception to 10-yr limit, and it may not provide income immediately upon completion of the garage.

6. Initiate Private Development in accordance with the JAM plan (C-)
Master Developer selected and negotiations are in process. We will have to wait a few more months to see what that process produces. Apparently the State will consume about 20% of the land area with non-taxable enterprises, the new courthouse and maybe the nanotechnology center for UML. If these become the focal points for related commercial development, this would be a good strategy. Much remains to be seen before we could improve the grade here, and one concern is the high percentage of housing being discussed.

7. Initiate Private Development at the Hamilton Canal Properties (D)
Some conceptual plans have been provided by the selected Master Developer, but little financial payback information has been released.

8. Close Loopholes in Zoning Code to Avoid Neighborhood Exploitation (B-)
Some loopholes closed, but other problems remain. It is still too early to tell what mark the new appointees to the ZBA will make in their interpretations of the codes and the exceptions that they grant.

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 (D-)
No definitive action. No revised plan announced.

11. Create Significant Development Opportunity on Post Office Site (D-)
No good proposals received, bad one rejected. No recent progress.

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 (A-)
They have managed to settle the school budget while signing the union contracts. The CM has been able to balance the budget without the approval of the Telecom Tax by the legislature through efficiencies in the operations.

14. Establish Enforceable Contracts for New School Construction Projects (B-)
The city has approved only one new school (Morey) and they plan to have professional “clerk of the works” manage the building process. However, there are added costs associated with the soil type, only discovered after the start of the project. The old Butler school has been left off the table for now, but initial request for State funding has been made to replace the remaining very old schools.

15. Create Plan for Mixed Rate Affordable Housing (D)
No general plan available, but some progress with Rivers Edge development.

16. Support UTECs efforts to Find New Home (B)
UTEC has moved, 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. The Chelmsford/Plain/Parker/Powell intersection is in the design cycle. However, there are many bottlenecks to be addressed, and it is not obvious that they are on the table.

18. Bring jobs to the city (C)
Motorola agreement signed. Lowe’s and Target may go ahead soon. However, biggest opportunity may be in JAM area, and that is still an open question.

19. Make connection between educational institutions and new jobs (D)
Both UML and MCC appear to be open to this, but the City Council doesn’t seem to be pushing this, especially since councilor Ramirez departed.

20. Provide more opportunities for the city’s youth (B-)
There has been a major effort by the city to open up public and private job opportunities for the city youth, although the actual hiring is apparently behind the goals. The city had opened up one additional pool for recreation, and is considering a downtown playground for inner city residents. The City and State have aided the Belvedere neighborhood with a water park development.

21. Reduce crime, particularly gang activity (B)
Some improvement, but violence continues. It appears new police chief will follow the approach initiated by Chief Davis. He is making additional efforts in controlling gangs (added 2 officers at least) and stepped up traffic enforcement.