Housing 6-3 — File 189725

June 3, 2010 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 6/8/2010 REPORT OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Rebekah L. Gewirtz Chair Present Walter F. Pero Vice Chair Present Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present John M Connolly Alderman At Large Present Sean T. O’Donovan Ward Five Alderman Present Robert C. Trane Ward Seven Alderman Present William A. White Jr. Alderman At Large Present Frank Wright City Solicitor Present Robert May OSPCD Present 189106 - That the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development Meet with the Magoun Square Businesses and the Ward 5 Alderman to Develop a Plan for Magoun Square to Stimulate Business, All in Anticipation of 2015 Green Line Arrival.: Alderman O'Donovan said that it's difficult to get representation from all of Magoun Square's businesses at a committee meeting. Mr. May told the members that OSPCD is recommending economic development for facade improvements and that city would implement better policies for business improvement in the square, including having a consultant brought in to provide a fresh set of eyes to help business owners market their services. Additionally, OSPCD would like to implement Main Streets DPW to improve the greening in the square. Attorney Privatera told the members that efforts to beautify the square are wonderful but pointed out that people aren't coming to the square because of the parking problems including the reduction of business parking spaces from 26 to 12 and the aggressive ticketing of Parking Control Officers. Business has dropped significantly, causing some businesses to vacate the area. Since CVS came to Magoun Square, 48 businesses have turned over. Proprieter Anthony Migliore, of Little Vinny's Restaurant, said that his business is off by 50% since the aggressive parking enforcement began in the square. He reported that one of his customers was ticketed twice for meter violations at 7:58 PM. Consequently, that customer has not returned to the Mr. Migliore's business - even though Mr. Migliore offered to pay for the tickets himself. Alderman O'Donovan told the members that, in his opinion, the Traffic Task Force was a joke and that there is no relief in Magoun Square. Mr. Dan Maher noted that the original Traffic Task Force was going to eliminate 75% of the parking in Magoun Square. He told the members that he sent written correspondence to the city offering recommendations for parking, but none of his

Committee Meeting June 3, 2010 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 6/8/2010 suggestions made it into the city's plan. In Medford, all parking on Main Street is for business and has a two hour limit. There is only one empty store front in that area and in Arlington's business area there are 6 empty store fronts. In comparison, there are 16 empty store fronts within a 1/2 mile radius of Magoun Square. Harvard Square averages 8 million customers per year for its businesses while Somerville's population shrinks 22% daily. From 5:00 to 8:00 PM, no parking spaces can be found in Magoun Square, yet business is still down. Joe Lynch, from the Magoun Square Neighborhood Association, asked that the Administration put a moratorium on extending the parking meters to 10:00 PM in Magoun Square. Alderman Pero's motion that the Committee on Housing and Community Development convey a message from the Magoun Square Neighborhood Association to the Administration, asking that parking meter operation not be extended from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM when the parking kiosks are installed in Magoun Square, was approved. Chairman Gewirtz said that the Green Line extension would improve the business in Magoun Square but Alderman O'Donovan pointed out that the extension isn't slated to be completed until 2014, and given the current economic climate, who knows if that date will remain accurate. Alderman O'Donovan said that the Administration isn't getting it when it comes to business in Magoun Square and added that some businesses are looking to sell because the Administration isn't being business friendly. Mr. May told the members that OSPCD is aware that businesses are hurting and can't wait until 2014, but he said that there isn't anything that he can do about the parking in the square. He did say, however, that a myriad of things could be done and that a meeting needed to be arranged between OSPCD and the businesses. Alderman O'Donovan suggested that the Traffic and Parking Department also be involved. Mr. May was asked about vacancies in the square and he responded by saying that OSPCD needs to walk the streets to determine why the vacancies exist. He mentioned that part of Magoun Square is in a low to moderate census track and that this might possibly allow HUD funds to be used for store front improvements. Additionally, business owners may qualify for CDBG funding for store front improvement if the business creates one job. Alderman Pero's motion that the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development provide a written report to the Committee on Housing and Community Development after the meeting of OSPCD, the Magoun Square business owners and the Ward Five Alderman, (which will be held to work on specific concerns relating to parking and other issues affecting the decline in business in Magoun Square), detailing the progress and proposed planning for improving the business climate in Magoun Square, was approved. 189235 - That a Representative from the Law Dept. Appear Before the Committee on Housing and Community Development to Review the City’s Legal Options for Extending the Green Line to Route 16.: Assistant City Solicitor Matt Buckley is working on this issue and is waiting for documentation he requested from the State. Chairman Gewirtz will take up the matter at the june 28th meeting of the Committee.

Committee Meeting June 3, 2010 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 6/8/2010 189430 - That the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development Apprise This Board of Aldermen of Any Past or Anticipated Utilization of the Massachusetts Economic Development Incentive Program by the City of Somerville and Appear Before the Committee on Housing and Community Development to Discuss the Program.: The city does not participate in this program and does not have a TIF district in the city. Somerville is an Economic Target Area (ETA). The MA Economic Development Incentive Program (MEDIP) has been in existence for some time. New legislation proposed by the governor allows tax credits to be issued for non TIF businesses according to stated guidelines. The new legislation would allow the city to take advantage of connections between the Innerbelt and Kendall Square business districts. Alderman White requested that OSPCD aprise the committee on any strategic planning throughout the city, including the Innerbelt and also requested that an update on proposed TIF districts be provided.