JOINT COMMERCE & DEVELOPMENT AND

PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION

City Council Chamber

Thursday, March 23, 2006

 

SESSION ONE – ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION re: UNION STATION

Convened: 12 NOON

Adjourned: 1:30 p.m.

 

SESSION TWO – PUBLIC COMMENT re: UNION STATION

Convened: 6:15 p.m.

Adjourned: 7:30 p.m.

 

SESSION ONE – ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

 

Present:       Councillor Michael C. Perotto, Co-Chairman

                   Councillor Joseph M. Petty, Co-Chairman

                   Councillor Philip P. Palmieri

                   Councillor Gary Rosen

                   Councillor Kathleen M. Toomey

                   Mayor Timothy P. Murray

                   David J. Rushford, City Clerk, clerk

 

1.                 Communication of the City Manager relative to the Administration’s renewed efforts to market and to ensure tenants for Union Station.

# 8B CM – February 14, 2006 Placed on file

 

Participants:

Larry Abramoff, former Tatnuck Bookseller and Sons.

Brendan O’Connor, O’Connor’s Restaurant

Attorney Randy Feldman

Wayne Peters, The Sole Proprietor

Bill Kelleher, co-founder, Kelleher and Sadowsky

Thomas N. O’Brien, The Commonwealth Group

William Bibaud, Harding Design & Construction

Matthew Abrams, The Abrams Group

Steven Goodman, GFI Properties  

David A. Zisskind, Biscuit Realty

Dean Harrison, The Hadley Building Project Manager

David Rodriguez-Pinzon, EDFC

Robert Thomas, MLK Jr. Business Empowerment Center

 

Chairmen’s Orders:

 

Session One

 

1.           Request the City Manager to provide the City Council with a report identifying a strategy to identify a tenant mix for Union Station considering:

 

a.     a breakdown of tenants requiring between 3,00 and 6,000 square feet,

b.     a streamlined leasing process via a team or point-person approach,

c.     a breakdown of tenants by day or evening orientation,

d.     a classification of tenants: bus, government, crafts, retail, food etc…

e.     a consideration for escalated leasing rates base don occupancy, including rent-free period.

 

2.           Request the City Manager report to the City Council regarding the possibility of air rights development on and around the union Station properties.

 

3.           Request the City Manager report to the City Council within 30 days concerning increased marketing of existing parking in the vicinity of Union Station.

 

4.           Request the City Manager to report to the City Council within 30 days a strategy to maximize opportunities created by the existing and future foot traffic through Union Station.

 

5.           Request the City Manager to consider contracting the services of an outside development consultant to lead the effort to fully realize the potential use of Union Station.

 

6.           Request the City Manager to provide the City Council within 30 days a plan to improve signage in the vicinity of Union Station so as to maximize the potential for business at Union Station.

 

SESSION TWO – PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

 

Present:       Councillor Michael C. Perotto, Co-Chairman

                   Councillor Joseph M. Petty, Co-Chairman

                   Councillor Philip P. Palmieri

                   Councillor Gary Rosen

                   Councillor Kathleen M. Toomey

                   Lisa M. Thomas, Assistant City Clerk, clerk

 

Speakers:

 

Barbara White, 38 Upland Garden Dr., Worcester

John Thomas, 15 Colonial Rd., Worcester

 

Chairmen’s Orders:

 

Session Two

 

7.           Request City Manager consider establishing a shuttle bus between UMass Memorial Hospital and Union Station.

 

8.           Request City Manager consider placing a kiosk display of Worcester’s “Firsts” in Union Station.

 

9.           Request City Manager provide the City Council with a report pertinent to the day time and night time costs of parking in the 95 space parking lot next to Union Station.

 

10.      Request City Manager work with the future broker to create a virtual tour of Union Station and create a CD for a companion print piece, as well as a virtual tour on the City’s website. Further request that the City Manager work with local colleges to collaborate in creating the virtual tour.