City of Lawrence Office of Planning and Development Mid-year Report to the Lawrence City Council March 15, 2004 Thomas F. Galligani, Jr. Director 147 Haverhill Street Lawrence, MA 01840 978.794.5891 t_galligani@cityoflawrence.com www.lawrenceplanning.com

Table of Contents

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ..........................................................................................4 Staff ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Initiatives ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Small Business Revolving Loan Fund......................................................................................... 4 Section 108 Loan Program .......................................................................................................... 5 Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund ............................................................................... 5 Façade Program ........................................................................................................................... 5 Broadway Microloan Program .................................................................................................... 6 Renewal Community Program .................................................................................................... 6 Massachusetts Economic Development Incentive Program........................................................ 7 Sales & Use Tax Reduction Plan................................................................................................. 7 Marketing Brochure..................................................................................................................... 7 Site Finder.................................................................................................................................... 8 Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Development ............................................................ 8

HOUSING........................................................................................................................10 Staff ........................................................................................................................................... 10 Rehabilitation Grants ................................................................................................................. 10 Lead Hazard Abatement ............................................................................................................ 11 Major Rehabilitation of Abandoned Properties for Rental Housing ......................................... 11 New Construction of Low-income first-time homeowner units ................................................ 11 First-Time Homebuyer Classes ................................................................................................. 12 Down Payment Assistance Program.......................................................................................... 12 Homelessness Initiatives............................................................................................................ 12

PLANNING/PERMITTING ..............................................................................................15 Staff ........................................................................................................................................... 15 Support to the Boards and Commissions:.................................................................................. 15 Sale of Surplus Property ............................................................................................................ 15 Technical Review Committee.................................................................................................... 16 Smart Growth Leadership Initiative .......................................................................................... 16 New/Revised Ordinances........................................................................................................... 17 Geographic Information Systems / Data management .............................................................. 17

Open Space Plan ........................................................................................................................ 17 Grant Writing............................................................................................................................. 17

FINANCE/ GRANT COMPLIANCE ................................................................................19 Staff ........................................................................................................................................... 19 Compliance ................................................................................................................................ 19

SPECIAL PROJECTS ....................................................................................................20 Staffing ...................................................................................................................................... 20 Lawrence Gateway Project ........................................................................................................ 20 Lawrence Municipal Airport Industrial Park............................................................................. 21 Veteran’s Memorial Stadium Renovations................................................................................ 21 Parks Improvement Plan............................................................................................................ 21 MVRTA Intermodal Transportation Center .............................................................................. 22 Other Special Projects................................................................................................................ 22

Economic Development The economic development team seeks to increase economic activity in the city of Lawrence by implementing programs to assist businesses of all sizes to expand their workforce and create jobs for Lawrence residents. The team also implements programs to encourage property owners to invest in real property located within the City, thereby improving neighborhoods and business districts and increasing the tax base. Staff Currently, three full-time employees work as part of the economic development team. Fred Carberry, Economic Development Coordinator, oversees day-to-day operations while Sharon Dubois, Project Manager I, and Orlando Salazar, Acting Neighborhood Planner, manage and implement programs. Thomas Schiavone, the Acting Economic Development Director, is currently on-loan to the Mayor’s Office. Initiatives The economic development team currently offers a number of programs that assist businesses and property owners to expand within the city, including a number of loan programs, grant programs and tax incentive programs. In addition, the team works with and funds programs to provide technical assistance to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Also, the team provides support to projects that improve the business climate and image of the city. Small Business Revolving Loan Fund The City offers businesses with the opportunity to borrow up to $50,000 to help firms expand employment opportunities in the City of Lawrence. Working with an advisory board made up of local bankers and other community stakeholders, the OPD manages a portfolio of over two-dozen loans. Recent awards include:

A small business loan from the City helped to assist Cambridge College with the build out of their new facility at 60 Island Street.

$50,000 to Lawrence Family Doctors to assist in the build-out and renovation of 101 Amesbury Street (leveraged $400,000 in private capital);

$35,000 to Merrimack Valley School of Hair Design to assist with the build-out and startup of a hair academy ($35,000 leveraged);

$50,000 to SJP Box Company of Lake Street for new equipment ($75,000 leveraged); $50,000 to Baby’s First Video, located on Island Street, for assistance with space build out and

equipment ($735,000 leveraged); $50,000 to Contract Assembly Manufacturing for working capital needs ($210,000 leveraged); $100,000 to Cambridge College to assist with space build out costs ($675,000 leveraged); and $50,000 to Flibbertigibbet Chocolates for new equipment ($228,000 leveraged).

rberry and Orlando Salazar manage this program for OPD.

108 Loan Program provides businesses with an opportunity to meet large capital needs with its Section 108

uarantee program. The OPD is currently arranging loans for two clients, who have been approved by the Lawrence City Council: den Mills was approved for a $3 million Section 108 loan guarantee, as part of a $10 million package that would help restore local control of the business. This project would save 900 ,200 jobs that are in jeopardy of being lost to foreign plants. sDevelopment was approved for a $2.9 million Section 108 loan guarantee to support their nership with the City and Gencorp to develop Gateway project. ion to these loans, the OPD manages the repayment from three other recipients, The Gem BEA Corp., and the now-defunct Ferrous Technologies.

Malden Mills is seeking a $3 million Section 108 Loan Guarantee in order to retain 900-1200 jobs.

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Fred Carberry is the project manager for this program. Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund The City manages a $500,000 revolving loan pool designed to assist investors with the clean up and redevelopment of contaminated property known as “brownfields.” While this EPA funded program has languished nation-wide, the City of Lawrence has been a leader in utilizing this funding. The City is one of a few cities nationally to have more than one loan pending approval. The City is awaiting final approval for two loans:

The City recently assisted LCW with a BCRLF loan to aid in the demolition of the St. Laurence O’Toole school annex. This will enable LCW to continue renovating the remaining building for use as a community center

A $40,000 loan to Lawrence CommunityWorks to be used for the redevelopment of the former St. Laurence O’Toole site on Newbury Street;

A $400,000 loan to MassDevelopment, to assist in the cleanup of the Lawrence Gateway Project, specifically, the City-owned Oxford Paper site.

The City recently submitted a grant application to EPA for an additional $1 million in funding for this program. Fred Carberry and Sharon Dubois manage this project. Façade Program The City offers a program by which storeowners located in commercial districts can receive a grant for up to 75% of the cost of a renovated façade ($15,000 maximum) and/or new signage ($3000 maximum). Project participants also receive free design consultation from a registered architect.

In the past year, two facades were renovated, Daysi G’s Restaurant on Common Street and Bell Tower Place on Union Street. Another three projects are currently underway.

Daysi G’s Restaurant, located on Common Street, received a façade grant in 2003.

Recently, the program was overhauled in order to expedite the construction process. A new architectural consultant, Spaulding Tougias Architects, was recently hired. The City continues to partner with Lawrence MainStreets, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Development and the Lawrence/Methuen Community Coalition to market the program in the Essex Street area and along the Broadway corridor. Sharon Dubois and Fred Carberry coordinate this project on behalf of the OPD. Broadway Microloan Program The City has established a new program designed to assist those small businesses affected by the Broadway construction project. Loans of up to $5,000 are available at a rate of 0% to affected businesses. Recently, two applications have been approved and closed. Three more applications are pending. The City has partnered with LMCC and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Development to provide outreach to the Broadway merchants. Fred Carberry and Orlando Salazar manage this program.

La Vecina Meat Market recently received a micro loan to help mitigate the effects of the Broadway street reconstruction.

Renewal Community Program In the spring of 2002, an area within the city of Lawrence was designated as one of 30 Renewal Communities, nation-wide. This designation entitles businesses hiring local residents and investing in commercial property located within the area to receive as many as four special federal tax incentives. While the designation does not provide any grant funds to flow to Lawrence, it does provide businesses with a substantial opportunity to invest in the City. Since designation in 2002, OPD has presented a series of workshops with a number of local and regional partners in an effort to spread the word about these benefits and to ensure that local businesses are taking advantage of the program. During tax season (January through April) a heavier emphasis has been placed upon marketing the program through public access, local newspapers, direct mail, door-to-door outreach and via Spanish-language radio. A wide range of businesses have taken advantage of these incentives, from large employers like Malden Mills to national retailers like 7-11 to small “mom-and-pop” businesses. Recently, ACT

Abatement Corp. was approved for an allocation of $650,000 under the Community Revitalization Deduction.

ACT Abatement utilized the Community Revitalization Deduction to assist with their recent purchase and renovation of this Broadway building.

OPD is currently working with Cong. Meehan’s office to develop a proposed amendment to the Renewal Community (RC) legislation that will allow the inclusion of the Merrimack Street area into the RC zone. The entire economic development team spends considerable time marketing this program. Massachusetts Economic Development Incentive Program The City of Lawrence, partnering with the Commonwealth, has the ability to provide property tax relief and other tax incentives to business and owners of property who propose to create jobs and make significant investments in their property. In the last year, the Lawrence City Council and the Commonwealth certified two new projects for Tax Increment Financing Plans (TIF) under this program. They include: Microsemi Corp, a contract electronics manufacturer located at 6 Lake Street which has

proposed to create 12 new jobs, retain 325 jobs and invest $8,000,000 into their facility in exchange for property tax relief and a state investment tax credit.

Commonwealth KIA, an automobile dealership located at 1 Commonwealth Drive, which has proposed to create 45 new jobs and invest over $1.5 million in a new facility.

MBR LL, a food manufacturer located within the Lawrence Riverfront Industrial Park, was reaffirmed by the City Council recently and has created 58 new jobs and invested $9.6 million.

The Lawrence City Council recently granted a TIF to the owner of Commonwealth Kia in exchange for the pledge to create 45 new jobs.

Sales & Use Tax Reduction Plan OPD has been working with City Councilor Nilka Alvarez, Budget & Finance Director Scott Jordan, and Dr. Jorge Santiago of NECC in developing a proposal to lower the Massachusetts sales & use tax from 5% to 2% in Massachusetts municipalities that are designated as Renewal Communities. Fred Carberry is coordinating this effort on behalf of Marketing Brochure OPD has hired the consulting firm “Visual Republique” to design and produce a full color marketing brochure for the City. The marketing brochure is being designed as a tool to help inform prospective expanding and relocating businesses about the various programs and incentives the City and the community has to offer. Final design and production will be completed in the late spring.

Sharon Dubois is the key OPD contact working on this project. Site Finder The OPD is currently developing a comprehensive database of available commercial and industrial property with the city of Lawrence. Once completed, this database will be used to help match up available space with the needs of businesses looking to expand within the city or relocate to Lawrence. This database will be ready sometime in the late spring. A second phase of the project would automate this database and make it available on the OPD web site. Sharon Dubois is working along with GIS Project Manager Tim Belcher on this project. Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Development The City of Lawrence, with annual allocations of CDBG grants, substantially funds the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Development to provide assistance to micro entrepreneurs. The CEBD provides “one-stop” and ongoing services for small businesses and entrepreneurs, as well as technical assistance for micro enterprises. The Center provides an extensive array of seminars, workshops and individual tutoring in both English and Spanish in all phases of entrepreneurship and business development. This assistance includes business plan writing, obtaining funding, marketing, sales and service support, and managing day-to-day operations. In the past three years the Center has worked closely with entrepreneurs to start a total of 29 new businesses, which have created a total of 203 new jobs in the greater Lawrence area. In January of 2003, the Center was named as the Technical Service Provider for Banknorth’s SBA Express Program, which refers loan applicants who apply to the Bank for loans that are either small loans, or when the Bank deems it necessary that the applicant further develop its business plan or skills to be ready for a business loan. The Center will undertake to work on an ongoing basis with such clients, and in turn, when ready, the Bank will fund the loan upon the condition that the borrower continue to receive Center services during the duration of the loan. In the past 3 months the Center has accepted 5 clients under this program, 3 of who are from the Hispanic community. The Center houses the following organizations at its 276 Essex Street location: Lawrence Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence Literacy Works, Lawrence Main Streets, Inc., Auto Body Shop Safety & Environmental Code Compliance Project, Small Business Development Center of Salem State, Small Business Administration, and the Small Business Development Center of U. Mass. The Center will expand its current pilot program of helping small business owners by providing students from Suffolk University’s Sawyer School of Management to work with business development activities.

Once a program operated out by the OPD, the CEBD has recently been “privatized” as a separate non-profit organization, in an effort to attract foundation support and other government grants. The CEBD still coordinates significantly with the economic development team.

Housing The City of Lawrence HOME Program provides rental and homeownership opportunities to low and very-low income persons and families by increasing the stock of decent, safe, and sanitary affordable housing. The OPD uses HOME Program funds as gap financing for costs of construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing units. Funds are limited and in accordance with HUD regulations, no more HOME funds, in combination with all other federal funding, may be invested into a particular project or unit than is necessary to achieve affordable housing. Units created or rehabilitated with HOME funds must remain affordable for a minimum of 5 to 15 years, depending on the amount per unit of HOME subsidy provided.

The three-family home located at 298 Lawrence Street was recently de-leaded with funds from the OPD Lead Hazard Abatement Program.

Staff Currently four full-time employees operate as part of the Housing Division. They include Lloyd DeJesus, Senior Rehabilitation Specialist, Fred Barrett, Rehabilitation/Demo Specialist, Elineth Gabin, Project Manager and Julie Duran, Homebuyer Coordinator. Currently, Elineth Gabin is out on maternity leave. Lesly Melendez is filling that position on a temporary basis. Also, two contract employees, Cynthia Rouse-rehabilitation technician and Kira Sarpard, Homelessness Coordinator work part time. Currently, OPD is without a Housing Director. In the past, Mollye Wolahan, Paula Stuart and Martha Previte have filled that position. Currently, Thomas Galligani is providing day-to-day management of the staff. Rehabilitation Grants OPD manages a program that provides grants to income-eligible homeowners in need of rehabilitation. OPD qualifies homeowners, develops a scope of work, manages project bidding and oversees the contracted work to complete the rehabilitation. A maximum of $25,000 is available per unit. Up to $20,000 for each rental unit for 1-4 family owner occupied buildings. Up to $20,000 is available for each unit in an investor-owned property. The OPD has completed 4 units this year and has over 30 projects underway. Lloyd DeJesus, Fred Barrett and Cynthia Rouse manage these projects, while Lesly Melendez handles new applications and processes payments.

Lead Hazard Abatement The OPD operates a lead paint abatement program that provides grants of up to $10,000 per unit to eliminate the hazard of lead paint in older homes in Lawrence. Projects run similar to the Rehabilitation program; often both programs are applied to the same project. The OPD has completed 28 units this year and has over 260 units undergoing lead paint removal. All of these units will be completed by July. Lloyd DeJesus, Fred Barrett and Lesly Melendez coordinate this successful program. Major Rehabilitation of Abandoned Properties for Rental Housing

Lawrence Community Works will soon finish this townhouse project located on Newbury Street. This project was assisted, in part, with City of Lawrence HOME project funds.

The OPD has a program designed to assist for profit and non-profit developers convert underutilized properties into safe and affordable rental apartments. Approximately $35,000 per unit is available to such projects. Often times, Lead Hazard Abatement funds, STATE HOME funds and the Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program leverage this program. Recent examples of OPD funded projects include: Orange Wheeler, a 46-unit rental project completed by The Community Builders located along

Franklin and Haverhill Street; and Reviviendo Family Housing, an 18-unit rental project completed by Lawrence Community

Works in the North Common Neighborhood; The OPD is currently evaluating applications for rehabilitation projects located on Essex Street, Arlington Street and Union Street. New Construction of Low-income first-time homeowner units The OPD subsidizes the construction of first-time homeowner units by for-profit and local non-profit developers. Approximately $30,000 per unit is available to reduce the sale price of the units, to make them affordable to low and moderate income households. The OPD has subsidized a wide variety of projects recently, including townhouse style condominiums, single-family homes and duplexes throughout the city. The vast majority of these projects are constructed on vacant, previously tax-delinquent lots. Recent examples include: A ten-unit townhouse style development on Beacon Avenue, completed by Future Homes I in

2003; A six-unit townhouse style development located on Hall Street, completed by Modern Urban

Builders in 2003; A series of four duplexes, scattered site development located on Summer Street, completed by

Lawrence CommunityWorks in 2002;

A variety of single family and duplex projects completed by Greater Lawrence Habitat for Humanity in the Lower Tower Hill Neighborhood;

A single family home completed by Lawrence Youthbuild on Bailey Street in 2004; The OPD has also recently made commitments to Bread and Roses to subsidize a new duplex they are planning on Park Street and a 9-unit project located at Union and Mechanic Street by Lawrence CommunityWorks. The entire housing staff is involved in structuring deals, preparing contracts and monitoring construction for each of these projects. First-Time Homebuyer Classes

Over 350 families have completed the free first-time homebuyer certification classes offered by City.

The OPD operates one of the most successful first-time homebuyer certification classes in the region. The OPD offers free classes, in both English and Spanish that allow perspective first-time homebuyers to learn about the home buying process. Certification also qualifies participants for a variety of local and state first-time homebuyer incentives. In the past year, over 350 families have graduated from the classes. Julie Duran coordinates all aspects of the program. Down Payment Assistance Program Down payment loans made to eligible buyers are issued in an amount not to exceed 5% of the purchase price, capped at a maximum of $10,000. In the past year, the OPD has made 13 loans to first-time homebuyers, with another two loans currently pending. Julie Duran coordinates all aspects of this program. Homelessness Initiatives The City of Lawrence OPD develops the Continuum of Care homeless services plan by working with homeless service providers, housing developers, health care organizations and State agencies. These organizations and agencies work continuously throughout the year to develop and implement the Lawrence Continuum of Care strategy. All of the community’s homeless service providers, including shelter providers, emergency services personnel and advocates, are centrally involved in the planning process. Recently, the Lawrence Continuum of Care received almost $900,000 in the latest competitive round of HUD/McKinney funding for homelessness services. Included in that award was a $300,000 grant for a permanent housing project, the YWCA Fina House project. This project will be constructed on

Haverhill Street and will include 19 residential units, as well as office and community space. The City has committed an additional $270,000 in HOME funds to solidify the funding needs of this project. The project is scheduled to break ground in June of 2004.

The YWCA is planning to break ground on the Fina House in June of 2004.

The City has recently been nominated to receive a HUD Best Practice Award for its first-in-the-nation Homeless Management Information Systems implementation. Lawrence was the first to meet a congressional mandate to create a computerized database to link homeless service providers, allowing the community to better track the homeless population and coordinate services. Kira Sarpard coordinates all of the OPD Homelessness Initiatives.

Planning/Permitting The Planning/Permitting Group provides support to the various land use boards and commissions, while also assisting citizens and other members of the OPD to understand land use regulations. The group is also involved in a number of small planning projects that address open space, historic preservation and development goals. Staff Currently, two full-time and one part-time employee make up the Planning/Permitting Group. Anne Marie Doherty is the Administrative Assistant to the Boards and Commissions. William Maloney is the new Land Use Planner (past Land Use Planners include J. Justin Woods and current City Attorney Charles Boddy) and Tim Belcher is the GIS Project Manager. Support to the Boards and Commissions: The primary responsibility of the Planning/Permitting Group is to support the various activities of the City’s land use permitting bodies, including:

The Truell Building, located on Essex Street is one of many surplus City-owned properties the OPD expects to sell this year.

Zoning Board of Appeals; Planning Board; Conservation Commission; Prospect Hill Historic District Commission; Historical Commission, and Lawrence Redevelopment Authority

The Land Use Planner and the Administrative Assistant maintain all of the records for these Boards and Commissions, accept all applications, assist applicants and make recommendations on each case for the benefit of the boards. Sale of Surplus Property A significant level of effort is given to preparing surplus City-owned property for sale. This provides the City with a significant source of revenue for the general fund ($300,000 anticipated this fiscal year) and an opportunity to stimulate development interest in vacant and distressed properties. The OPD utilizes a Request for Proposals (RFP) process, which enables the City to consider the proponent’s bid price, as well as the long-term benefit to the city and community. In the next few weeks, the OPD will recommend the sale of a number of vacant lots to the City Council, including lots located on Salem Street, Park Street, Walnut Street, Newbury Street and Amesbury Street. William Maloney will be handling these dispositions in the near future.

Technical Review Committee The OPD has been collaborating with the Commission of Inspectional Services to initiate a permit Technical Review Committee (TRC). The Technical Review Committee will become an established forum whereby applicants could voluntarily submit development plans of proposed projects for an informal discussion and review with various City departments. The forum would be established to enable a comprehensive discussion of the impacts of a particular development on the City, to provide applicants an extremely cost effective way to get feedback on proposed developments, and to help identify and resolve potential issues in the planning phases of a project. Additionally, the TRC would provide an opportunity for inter-departmental review and coordination. It would also enable the City to develop a cohesive, consistent, comprehensive position on a development. Discussions amongst staff members could provide valuable input to City boards and written staff recommendations can provide effective roadmaps for applicants. Each member of the TRC would provide the applicant and the group with input regarding the regulatory requirements their department reviews. A written set of recommendations from the TRC would be provided to the applicant within a week of the TRC meeting. Additionally, the Building Commissioner could utilize this time by bringing building permit applications for review by the TRC. This would improve the diligence and efficiency of this important city service. William Maloney will be the primary OPD participant at the TRC. Smart Growth Leadership Initiative The City of Lawrence was recently selected as one of nine communities stretching from Florida to Alaska to participate in the 2004 Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Program – a cooperative program provided by Smart Growth America’s Smart Growth Leadership Institute, the University of Southern California, and the University of Colorado, funded by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Program is a pilot program designed to provide communities with expert technical assistance to carry out Smart Growth reforms. This technical assistance will help communities to better manage growth, so that communities can revitalize their older neighborhoods, protect valuable farmland, and provide transportation and housing choices to their citizens. Over the next nine months, the experts will be providing assistance to the communities in two specific areas:

odes and zoning ordinances to identify inconsistencies between Smart Growth implementing codes that may still contain obsolete standards; and

sign standards and review protocol that will help achieve Smart Growth d mitigate neighborhood concerns.

borating with Lawrence CommunityWorks and Groundworks Lawrence on this t.

rdinances ently working to integrate recent amendments to the city zoning ordinance with the In the next month, the OPD will be asking the City Council to readopt the revised, zoning code. The OPD is also working with the Conservation Commission and the

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Over the past year, Tim Belcher, the GIS Project Manager has been working on a long-term project to fully digitize and geocode the City assessors’ maps. Now that this project is complete, it allows the OPD to analyze all types of municipal data—any information that is linked to property data. This is the first, and most important step towards creating a fully integrated citywide GIS that will allow all city departments to share parcel-based data. Tim Belcher also provides considerable support to other members of the OPD on other projects, creating maps and graphics, building databases. He is also creating OPD’s upgraded web page. Open Space Plan The OPD is currently updating the City’s Open Space Plan. This plan, which requires an update every five years, is a prerequisite for applying for state parks and open space grant funds. The plan also provides the community with the opportunity to develop priorities for the development of the city’s open space resources. The City has hired Groundworks Lawrence to develop the plan, which is to be completed in the next month. Tim Belcher, as well as Fred Carberry from the Economic Development Team, is providing support for the planning process. Grant Writing The Planning staff has frequently prepared grant applications for various project and initiatives on behalf of the City of Lawrence. Recent grant applications include:

US Soccer Federation Grant for West Street Park—pending;

Department of Conservation and Recreation Urban Forestry Grant--$31,000 awarded in ’04; 2003 Tree City USA Award.

Finance/ Grant Compliance The Finance/Grant Compliance Team administers the annual consolidated planning process for the City of Lawrence. The team also provides management of over $3-4 million annually of all CDBG, HOME, ESG and any other state or federal grant sources that are administered through the Office of Planning and Development. The group also ensures that the City and its sub grantees are complying with the various rules and regulations that govern the use of grant funds. Staff Currently, three full-time employees are working as part of this team, including: Susan Fink, Senior Finance Officer; Cate King; Project Manager/Assistant Finance Officer and Marisol Colon, Project Manager. Jon Steeves, formerly the Manager of Administration and Finance, retired in November, leaving this position vacant. Erna Koch, formerly the Compliance Officer left the OPD in February for another job with the Workforce Investment Board. Compliance While a significant part of the staff time is spent ensuring that all department bills are paid on a timely basis, grant compliance is becoming a bigger responsibility. In the past few years, the department’s major funding agency—the US Department of Housing and Urban Development—has begun to scrutinize the compliance of all of the cities and towns that receive their funds. As a result, the OPD filled the Compliance Officer position in December of 2002 for the first time in seven years. In the past few years, the OPD has overhauled the manner in which it deals with its subgrantees. New contract boilerplates, payment review mechanisms and on-site monitoring systems of subgrantees have been implemented. Programs that were funded in the past have been reviewed more rigorously to ensure that full compliance is being attained. The aim is to avoid the City having to repay HUD for issues of non-compliance with federal regulations.

jects ng and Development manages a number of special projects on behalf of the implement these projects, from small improvements to public buildings to ent projects spanning many city blocks, alone or in conjunction with other city, cies.

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Lawrence Gateway Project A partnership composed of Lawrence City officials, private property and business owners, Lawrence General Hospital, and state and federal officials has developed a comprehensive redevelopment plan for an area known as the Lawrence Gateway.

rence Gateway Project will create

ew parking spaces, improved access town Lawrence and park ments along the Spicket River.

Millions of dollars in state highway funds, federal and private contamination remediation funds and state, federal and private development funds have already been invested in the Lawrence Gateway Project with positive results. The project aims to create an attractive corridor of commercial and manufacturing space, parks, walkways and parking off Interstate 495, encompassing downtown mills, Lawrence General Hospital, the new regional Intermodal Transportation Center, and the North Common neighborhood. Planned parking is necessary to support the redevelopment of more than 1 million square feet of mill space in the Quadrant Area. The City, its federal and state delegations and other economic development partners have begun to incorporate economic target and community development programs and grants to foster the Gateway Project. In 2002, parts of the city, including the gateway area, were designated a U.S. Housing and Urban Development Renewal Community, allowing the corridor and surrounding neighborhood to be marketed as one of the region’s most attractive locations for business relocation and expansion. Also, the Gateway Project is linking its parking and roadway improvements to a regional rail/transportation center situated near the downtown corridor to help attract new businesses and jobs. The OPD is also intimately involved with its community partners, Lawrence CommunityWorks and Groundworks Lawrence, among others, to develop plans to ensure that the benefits of the Gateway

Project are poised to affect the North Common Neighborhood and the residents of Lawrence. This effort is known as the Reviviendo Gateway Initiative. Thomas Galligani and Thomas Schiavone are the principal participants on this project Lawrence Municipal Airport Industrial Park The OPD is collaborating with MassDevelopment, the Town of North Andover and the Airport Commission to jointly develop 41 acres of surplus land adjacent to the Lawrence Municipal Airport. The aim is to create four parcels of land, which can support the development of industrial commercial enterprises. The project will provide income for the Airport, tax revenue for the City and the Town, and the opportunity for new jobs. Recently, a Release Request was submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration, which would allow for the transfer of the land from the Airport Commission to the Airport Enterprise

Arial view of the Lawrence Municipal Airport and the surplus land designated for the industrial park.

Commission. The OPD is also working with the MassDevelopment to update the permitting schedule and development budget. It is expected that the project will break ground in the summer or fall of ’04. Thomas Galligani is overseeing the project along with Michael Miller, the Airport Manager. Veteran’s Memorial Stadium Renovations The Office of Planning & Development is the lead agency in the Veterans’ Memorial Stadium Restoration Project. This project consists of preparation of design plans, suitable for bidding under MGL Ch. 149, for the complete renovation of the 7,200 seat concrete grandstand and press box and the construction of a concourse, concession stands, and restrooms under the grandstand, followed by the actual bidding, award, execution of contract, and construction/renovation phase. Project is to be coordinated with the new high school project, as necessary, so as not to interfere with mobilization, access, or staging of work.

Storrow Park, located on Prospect Hill, was recently refurbished as part of a citywide parks improvement plan.

Fred Carberry is managing this project. Parks Improvement Plan The City of Lawrence has spent over $3 million on improvements to its park system over the past two years. Highlights of the improvement plan include new signs, benches and landscape improvements to 23 parks throughout the city, a massive overhaul of Storrow Park and an expansion to Pemberton Park (collaboration with the LRA and the Commonwealth Department of Conservation and Recreation).

reconstruction of the North Common ball field, a new gazebo lot improvements to Den Rock Park and the reconditioning of pcoming Open Space Plan will help to inform decision making

on Dubois and Jon Steeves have all managed various park as also been an important partner on this project.

ation Center with the MVRTA to move forward plans to construct a new ter. The Center, to be located at the intersection of S. Union ntain a commuter rail station, bus terminal with transfers to ort, convenience oriented retail, space for the LPD Community

Artist’s rendition of the viewed from the cornerand South Union.

Upcoming improvements include a for Costello Park, trail and parking various ball fields in the city. The ufor future park improvements. Thomas Schiavone, along with Sharprojects. Groundwork Lawrence h MVRTA Intermodal TransportThe OPD has been working closely$22M intermodal transportation cenStreet and Merrimack Street, will coLogan Airport and Manchester Airp

Police program, a community room and four levels of parking. The OPD has assisted with permitting issues, construction coordination with MassElectric, grant writing and management. Thomas Galligani, City Attorney Charles Boddy and representatives from the Mayor’s Office have all collaborated on this important project. Other Special Projects Various OPD staff members are currently overseeing a number of other, relatively smaller projects, including: Demolition of structures in the City Barns (Jon Steeves); Demolition of “dentist office” next to 147 Haverhill Street (Jon Steeves); Essex Street sidewalk improvements (Jon Steeves); Senior Center improvements (Jon Steeves); Improvements to the Lawrence Public Library (Lawrence Housing Authority with Jon Steeves); Essex Street Parking Lot (Thomas Schiavone in ’03) Oxford Paper cleanup (Jon Steeves);

transportation center as of Merrimack Street