CITY OF WORCESTER

Economic Development Committee Meeting

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:30 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:01 PM

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
David J. Rushford

Committee Members

Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Domenic Paldino et al request to extend the BL-1.0 zone from 762 to 800 Grafton St. & 3 Progressive St.
# 14c CC August 09, 2011

In Committee November 15, 2011 - Hearing Recessed

Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of an amendment to Section Six (Signs) of the City's Zoning Ordinance.
# 10a CC January 31, 2012

Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Carl Freedman, President of United Barrel and Cooperage Company, request to extend the MG 2.0 zone to include 29 Lyon St.
# 10b CC January 31, 2012

Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Councilor George J. Russell request to amend the Zoning Ordinance to exempt from parking plan review any existing parking lot that upon a change, alteration of expansion of the use it serves will continue to be utilized in its existing condition with no physical alterations except for changes in circulation and/or striping, and provided the number of parking spaces satisfies the requirement of Table 4.4
# 10a CC April 03, 2012

Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Mayor Joseph M. O'Brien and Councilor George J. Russell request to amend the Zoning Ordinance to increase the minimum size of parking lots that require parking plan approval from nine (9) to sixteen (16).
# 10b CC April 03, 2012

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Designate a Priority Development Site (PDS) for the North Main/ Lincoln Square Area.
# 9.4C CC December 14, 2010

Recommending City Council's Review, Consideration and Adoption of an Order for the Transfer of Jurisdiction of Land at 12/14 Guilford Street and 106 Brigham Road.
# 10.37A CM April 14, 2009

Recommending Approval of Streetscape and Urban Design Guidelines for Worcester's Downtown and Canal District.
# 9.5C CC July 28, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to the condition of the former Holiday Inn property located at 500 Lincoln Street.
# 13.19A CM January 08, 2008

In Committee December 17, 2008 - Held

Transmitting informational communication relative to a report on the progress for the closure of the PIP Shelter at 701 Main St.
# 8.19D CM December 12, 2006

In Committee January 16, 2007 - Held
In Committee December 17, 2008 - Held

Transmitting communication regarding a legal opinion on what the powers and duties of the Historical Commission are in relation to the development or alteration of property in historic districts.
# 7.28A CM April 01, 2008

Transmitting informational communication relative to the number of properties taken off the tax rolls for the past several years and the amount of revenue lost.
# 7.33A CM January 06, 2009

Transmitting informational communication regarding Worcester's Selection as the 9th Most Livable City in America by Forbes.com.
# 10.5A CM April 14, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Designation as a Platinum Community by the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council.
# 9.5B CM May 05, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to the disposition process for the Fire Alarm and Telegraph Building located at 230 Park Avenue.
# 8.5A CM March 31, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to the disposition process for the Fire Alarm & Telegraph Building Located at 230 Park Avenue.
# 9.5D CM July 28, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to the status of the disposition process for the Fire Alarm Building Located at #230 Park Avenue.
# 7.4A CM September 15, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Business Start-Up Guide.
# 10.4C CM October 20, 2009

Transmitting communication relative to a Permitting Guidebook Entitled "Building in Worcester: A Developer's Guide."
# 9.5A CM May 05, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Buy Worcester Now Program.
# 8.42B CM February 24, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Buy Worcester Now Program.
# 7.39A CM August 11, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Economic Resource Guide.
# 10.4B CM October 20, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Gateway Cities Initiative.
# 6.4A CM October 06, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Economic Development Division's Worcester Developer Conference.
# 7.5A CM May 19, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to a plan entitled "Quinsigamond Village - An Integrated Program for Economic Revitalization".
# 10a CM June 09, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to the issuance of Three Requests for Proposals (RFPs): Assessment Consultant for Brownfields; Retail Space at Major Taylor Parking Garage; and Property at the Former Greenwood Street Landfill.
# 8.4A CM December 22, 2009

Transmitting informational communication on the City's Energy Savings Plan.
# 11.39D CM September 07, 2010

Transmitting Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program Quarterly Report November 2009
# 8.7A CM November 10, 2009

Transmitting communication relative to the Citywide Energy Savings Audit.
# 9.7A CM May 05, 2009

Transmitting the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program's Annual Report.
# 9.7A CM July 28, 2009

Transmitting the 2008 Economic Development Year-in-Review Report.
# 8.5B CM January 20, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Temporary Parking Lot at Union Station.
# 8.4B CM December 15, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the City's Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).
# 9.6A CM July 28, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
# 8.5B CM June 29, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to the status of the demolition portion of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
# 8.23A CM April 27, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Beacon/Federal Neighborhood Revitalization Plan.
# 8.5A CM April 13, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to the DCU Special District Improvement Fund's Ability to Sustain Additional Loan Order Issuances in the Amount of Two Million Two Hundred Eighty-Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($2,285,000.00).
# 10.34A CM October 20, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to the signing of a Contract Extension with SMG to Maintain their Operational Services of the DCU Arena and Convention Center for another Five Years, Commencing on July 1, 2010.
# 10.39C CM July 20, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to Economic Development and Business Assistance Programs Available to Support New or Existing Businesses.
# 11.4B CM January 05, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to Economic and Business Development Marketing Outreach.
# 7.4A CM May 04, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City's "Green Community" Designation.
# 8.39A CM June 01, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Receipt of a Green Communities Grant.
# 10.6A CM July 20, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Philadelphia Plan Tax Abatement Program.
# 8.4B CM February 23, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Introduction of a New Creative Economy Initiative for Downtown.
# 10.4A CM July 20, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to the CitySquare Streetscape and Architectural Guidelines.
# 8.5D CM February 24, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to Unum US signing a Letter of Intent to locate in the CitySquare Redevelopment Project.
# 9b CC April 07, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to City Square II.
# 9.39D CM June 15, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to a Homelessness RFP.
# 9.42H CM July 28, 2009

Transmitting an Update Regarding Implementation of the City's Plan to End Homelessness.
# 6.27A CM October 06, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to implementation of the City's Plan to End Homelessness.
# 8.42B CM June 02, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to implementation of the City's Plan to End Homelessness.
# 8.27A CM December 22, 2009

Transmitting informational communication relative to an Update on the City's Plan to End Homelessness.
# 7.27B CM March 31, 2010

Transmitting communication relative to the Division of Capital Asset Management's (DCAM) plans for the disposal of the old Courthouse site at Main and Highland Sts.
# 11e CC September 22, 2009

In Committee March 23, 2010 - Held

Transmitting informational communication relative to the disposition of the Worcester County Courthouse.
# 12.4A CM September 21, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Consolidated Plan 2010-2015.
# 8.5A CM June 29, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to Chapter 240 of the Acts of 2010, Gateway Cities.
# 11.4B CM September 07, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to Business Retention and Job Growth.
# 9.4A CM November 09, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to a Partnership between the Office of Human Rights and Disabilities and the Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board (CMWIB).
# 8.27A CM November 16, 2010

Transmitting informational Communication relative to additional requirements for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Applications and Public Notification of these Applications.
# 9.4A CM December 21, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the disposition and development of the buildings at the Former Worcester Technical High School at Wheaton Square.
# 11.4C CM January 05, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Abandoned Housing Initiative.
# 9.39B CM November 30, 2010

Transmitting informational Communication relative to the 2002 Worcester Housing Market Study.
# 7.5B CM January 26, 2010

Transmitting informational Communication relative to a Citywide Housing Market Analysis.
# 11.5A CM September 07, 2010

Transmitting informational Communication on the HOME Affordable Housing Program.
# 8.5B CM March 16, 2010

Transmitting informational Communication relative to an Update on the City's Housing Strategy.
# 7.5A CM March 31, 2010

Transmitting informational Communication relative to the Taxation of Multi-Unit Rental Properties.
# 8.30A CM January 25, 2011

Transmitting informational Communication relative to Inspection and Enforcement Activities of the Housing, Nuisance and the Property Review Team.
# 8.23B CM January 25, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Microloan Program.
# 8.4A CM January 25, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to a Report from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation Entitiled "Retiree Healthcare: The Brick That Broke Municipalities' Backs."
# 8.39A CM March 01, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to Proactive Property Stabilization Efforts.
# 8.39C CM March 01, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Annual Report of the Economic Development Division for 2010.
# 8.4C CM March 15, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to the potential loss of Federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Funding and Impact on Local Workforce Development Programs and Services.
# 8.7A CM March 15, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to a Small Business Tax Exemption.
# 8.30A CM March 15, 2011

Transmitting informational Communication relative to the HOME Affordable Housing Development Program.
# 10.5A CM May 24, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to the DCU Special District Improvement Fund.
# 10.34A CM June 07, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to Partnership with Worcester Business Development Corporation to Generate Private Investment in the Federal Square/ Theatre District Area.
# 8.4A CM May 10, 2011

Transmitting information communication relative to the Triage and Assessment Center on Jacques Avenue.
# 19c CM June 14, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to Energy Conservation Measures and Building Upgrades through the Energy Services Contract with Honeywell International, Inc.
# 8.39F CM June 21, 2011

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City's Top 10 Problem Properties.
# 9.21A CM August 09, 2011

Transmitting informational Communication relative to construction and permanent jobs created under projects that received Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
# 11c CC October 18, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Energy Conservation and Building Modernization Program.
# 9.6A CM September 27, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Energy Initiative.
# 8.4A CM November 29, 2011

Transmitting informational communication Entitled "Economic Development: 2009 Year in Review."
# 7.4A CM February 02, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to Destination Worcester.
# 8.32A CM November 29, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to an Update on the City's Initiatives to Address Vacant and Foreclosed Properties.
# 12.32B CM January 03, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to the CitySquare Development Project.
# 12k CM January 10, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to the DCU Special District Improvement Funds.
# 8.27A CM February 14, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Annual Report of the Executive Office of Economic Development for 2011.
# 8.4D CM February 28, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to Responsible Employer Ordinances.
# 8.13C CM February 28, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to Finance for Housing Developments within the City of Worcester.
# 10.4D CM March 13, 2012

Transmitting the January 2009 Economic Development Report.
# 8.5C CM January 20, 2009

Transmitting the February 2009 Economic Development Report.
# 8.5A CM February 24, 2009

Transmitting the January 2009 Economic Development Small Business Report.
# 8.5B CM February 24, 2009

Transmitting the February 2009 Economic Development Report
# 8.5A CM March 17, 2009

Transmitting February 2009 Economic Development Small Business Report
# 8.5B CM March 17, 2009

Transmitting the Economic Development Report to Retain and Recruit Small Businesses.
# 9.5A CM July 28, 2009

Transmitting the July 2009 Economic Development Quarterly Report.
# 9.5B CM July 28, 2009

Transmitting the October 2009 Economic Development Report.
# 10.4A CM October 20, 2009

Transmitting the Economic Development Report to Retain and Recruit Small Businesses.
# 10.4D CM October 20, 2009

Transmitting the Economic Development Report to Retain and Recruit Small Businesses.
# 8.4A CM March 16, 2010

Transmitting the Economic Development Quarterly Status Report - March 2010.
# 8.4B CM March 16, 2010

Transmitting the Economic Development Initiatives Report - June 2010.
# 9.4A CM June 15, 2010

Transmitting the June 2010 Small Business Report.
# 9.4B CM June 15, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Economic Development Report to Retain and Recruit Small Businesses.
# 12.4C CM September 21, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Quarterly Economic Development Report - September 2010.
# 12.4B CM September 21, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Quarterly Update Report of Economic Development Initiatives.
# 9.4A CM December 14, 2010

Transmitting the Economic Development Report Relative to Small Businesses Recruitment and Retention Efforts.
# 9.4B CM December 14, 2010

Transmitting the Quarterly Economic Development Report.
# 8.4A CM March 15, 2011

Transmitting the Economic Development Report Relative to Small Business Recruitment and Retention Efforts.
# 8.4B CM March 15, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Quarterly Economic Development Report.
# 9.4A CM September 27, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to Small Business Recruitment and Retention Efforts.
# 9.4B CM September 27, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Quarterly Economic Development Report.
# 17g CC January 03, 2012

Transmitting the Economic Development Report Relative to Small Business Recruitment and Retention Efforts.
# 17h CC January 03, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Economic Development Report Concerning Small Business Recruitment and Retention Efforts.
# 10.4B CM March 13, 2012

Transmitting informational commmunication relative to the Quarterly Economic Development Report.
# 10.4C CM March 13, 2012

Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau transmitting: Measuring Downtown Worcester's "Curb Appeal:" ComNET Results.
# 9c CC December 16, 2008

Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau transmitting: What's Up With Downtown Worcester?: Prospects for Revitalization.
# 9b CC December 16, 2008

Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Downtown Worcester Office Occupancy: 2009 Survey.
# 12a CC November 10, 2009

Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting Benchmarking Economic Development in Worcester: 2009.
# 10a CC December 01, 2009

Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting: Benchmarking Economic Development in Worcester: 2010.
# 12a CC December 07, 2010

Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Downtown Worcester Office Occupancy: 2010 Survey.
# 11c CC January 04, 2011

Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting a communication relative to "Worcester's Bond Rating and the Recession: What's the City's Credit Score"
# 10b CM February 01, 2011

Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Benchmarking Economic Development in Worcester: 2012.
# 9a CC March 27, 2012

Executive Director Deborah Packard and Dr. Leonard J. Morse of Preservation Worcester request City Council support their Clock Tower Mission to preserve the original Worcester State Hospital Clock Tower that has majestically graced the Worcester Skyline since 1877 reflecting dedication to the care of patients with mental illness and as a monument of hope in advancing improved understanding as to its cause as well as prevention and treatment.
# 11i CC January 03, 2012 - Resolution adopted 11-0

In Committee for Informational Purposes Only

James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting communication concerning the contractual agreements between the City and SMG for managing the DCU Center.
# 7a CC June 03, 2008

Petition of Lee Buckley request to establish decent standards in housing and renters equity in housing in Worcester.
# 7b CC November 20, 2007

Petition of John Patrick Reed request a new location for the Blackstone Visitor's Center.
# 7a CC April 27, 2010

Petition of Christina Pattee request to establish a "Worcester Local First" municipal lottery with numbers drawn weekly on our local cable access channel.
# 6qq CC September 01, 2009

Petition of Christina Pattee request to create a process for soliciting volunteer "target market" focus group members from Worcester residents in order to get their input on what they would like to see done with our downtown area.
# 6rr CC September 01, 2009

Petition of Christina Pattee request City Council to actively recruit some of the rapidly-growing orthopedic joint replacement manufacturing companies to set up operations in our South Worcester Technology Park.
# 6ss CC September 01, 2009

Resolution Councilor Frederick C. Rushton - That the City Council of the City of Worcester request to change wording in all City communications so that the words "illegal immigrant" does not appear and in place thereof, the words "undocumented worker" appears.
# 18a CC May 01, 2007

In Committee December 17, 2008 - Held

Order of Councilor Barbara Haller - Request City Manager implement an owner's parking permit program (one per business) for on-street parking at a city meter.
# 9a CC September 22, 2009

Order of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri, Councilor Barbara G. Haller, Councilor Paul P. Clancy Jr., Councilor Frederick C. Rushton, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey, Councilor Gary Rosen, Councilor Michael J. Germain, Councilor Joffrey A. Smith, Councilor Joseph M. Petty - Request City Manager arrange discussions between the Police and Public Works Commissioner and Canal District business owners to determine any street or streets within the district that might be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic during short periods in the warm weather months to encourage outdoor entertainment and other activities. - Order adopted
# 12o CC July 28, 2009

In Committee August 4, 2009 - Held

Order of Councilors Michael J. Germain, Frederick C. Rushton, Gary Rosen, Philips P. Palmieri, Joffrey Smith, Kathleen Toomey, Joseph Petty and Paul P. Clancy Jr. - Request City Manager consider making Commercial Street from Foster Street to MLK, Jr. Boulevard, pedestrian-only-traffic from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on one Thursday in August, September and October of this year to encourage some much needed after-work night life in the downtown which would also entail outside entertainment, food vending and alcohol sales from existing businesses on Commercial Street, perhaps utilizing adjacent privately owned lots.
# 12g CC July 28, 2009 - Order adopted

In Committee August 4, 2009 - Held
In Committee March 23, 2010 - Held

Order Mayor Joseph O'Brien - Request City Council to accept a copy of the report entitled “Mayor's Task Force on Job Growth and Business Retention” and refer this to the Standing Committee on Economic Development.
# 16n CC January 25, 2011

Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Council develop a process that includes a City Council vote regarding approval of individually funded HOME projects.
# 9d CC March 20, 2012

Order of Councilors Rushton, Petty, Germain, Eddy, Smith, Toomey, Rosen, Haller - Request City Manager consider assigning a member of his Administration to focus on building a collaborative team to maximize the receipt of public monies as a result of the enactment of the pending life sciences legislation to benefit the residential and business communities of Worcester. Further, request the City Manager bring together the community stakeholders, including, but not limited to: UMass Medical Center, Mass Biotech Institute, Gateway Park LLC, the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, WBDC, ChooseWorcester, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and the city’s state and federal delegation.
# 12d CC February 26, 2008

Order of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes, Councilors Philip P. Palmieri, Gary Rosen and Kathleen Toomey - Request City Manager meet with the various museums, arts and cultural non-profit institutions including the Cultural Coalition in Worcester regarding their future programs, educational offerings and special events.
# 9b CC March 24, 2009

Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Council support more diverse new housing development with an emphasis on market-rate housing with a maximum of 10% affordable units if there are going to any units available for development in the downtown Worcester area.
# 15d CC January 05, 2010

Order Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report on the feasibility of the use of the old court house site for a new police department building dependent on the availability of non tax levy funding and a transfer of owner ship from the state to the city at no cost to the city.
# 9i CC September 22, 2009

In Committee March 23, 2010 Held

Order of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes as amended by Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. - Request City Manager communicate with DCAM regarding it's plans for the disposal of the old Court House site at Main and Highland Sts. and how this disposal process will integrate the future use of that court house parcel with the city's master plan concerning the North Main St. Economic Development Strategy. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with an outline of DCAM's process for disposal of property.
# 4a CC September 22, 2009

In Committee March 23, 2010 Held