Tremont West Development Corporationnn

Economic Development and Long Range Planning Committee of Tremont West Development Corp

March 8, 2008 Minutes

Present: Steve Bloom, Michelle Davis, Scott Nagy, Tom Cook (Co Chair), Dave Purpera (Co Chair), Mike DeNicola, Tim Jenkins, Harriet Hadley, Dave Mehring
Guest:

Tom Cook called the meeting to order at approx. 6:05.

Economic Development

Discussed 2008 objectives for Economic Development. Various ideas were discussed including 1) coordinating efforts with Re$tore Tremont, 2) working with Steelyard Commons to provide better signage to/from Tremont, marketing Tremont, etc. 3) coordination/support for Tremont Roundtable, 3) classified advertising of jobs available at Tremont businesses, 4) coordinating workshops for new start up businesses, 5) providing and "incubator" location and resources for start up businesses 6) attracting professional service businesses ( ie. architects, lawyers, designers, etc.) to the neighborhood, 7) reaching out to the churches in the neighborhood to ensure they are included in all pertinent dialogue relate to community development, 8) better understanding the supply of commercial property for sale or lease and 9) marketing Tremont outside of the neighborhood and better signage marketing of attractions within Tremont.

It was agreed that the 3 main priorities for 2008 would be 1) understanding and communicating the supply of commercial properties in Tremont 2) marketing the benefits of locating a business in Tremont and 3) reaching out to the religious institutions in the neighborhood.

Michelle will bring the listing of commercial properties for sale/lease to the next meeting. We will start with this list then add all other potentially available properties (property not currently for sale/lease, property needing repair/renovation, etc.) to our "supply' list.

David shared recent developments regarding the Monroe Cabaret on West 25th. The cabaret/ strip club is planning to remodel and renovate. The club is located in the Clark Metro service area but borders Tremont residents. The club also is within 1000 feet of churches and schools. Various efforts are underway to support the Tremont and the Clark Metro residents opposed to this establishment. We volunteered our support and will become involved as needed to support the wishes of the people living in the area.

A summary of BOZA and planning commission activities within and around Tremont will be added to our monthly committee meeting agenda for review.

Visible Voice bookstore has received preliminary approval from the Auburn block club to apply to serve alcohol on a limited basis. Our Lady of Mercy church has concerns as the church and school are nearby. Further discussions need to occur before final approval is extended.

Long Range Planning

Discussed the SII Workplan Google site and the need to update this site more frequently (last update in the Fall) and make it more easily accessible to the community. Michelle is establishing passwords for new board and committee members so they may access and update the site. Dave P. is linking the Google site to the TWDC site so it is more easily accessible to all for viewing. Steve B. will update the SII workplan to include all progress to date.

We discussed the desire to get the block clubs more involved in establishing priorities and working with key committees. Michelle will bring a list of the block clubs and meeting dates to our next meeting. ED/LRP members will sign up to attend block club meetings to share our mission and priorities and to ask no more then 3 "survey"questions of each block club to ascertain how we can help them be more effective and support their needs. ED/LRP members will come to the next meeting with proposed survey questions to ask.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:42. Next meeting is April 3, 2008.

Economic Development and Long Range Planning Committee of Tremont West Development Corp

February 7, 2008 Minutes

Present: Steve Bloom, Michelle Davis, Scott Nagy, Tom Cook, Dave Purpera, Mike DeNicola, Tim Jenkins, Dave Mehring
Guest: Tom Bell

Tom Cook called the meeting to order at approx. 6:05.

Economic Development
Tom Bell presented his plans to renovate the 2nd floor of the Flying Monkey. Renovations would include addition of a kitchen, game room and lounge on the 2nd floor. There are also plans to pave the parking lot at the corner of Jefferson and Thurman, next to Ty Fun to provide additional parking. Half of the lot is owned by Tom Bell, the other half owned/controlled by Tremont Place Lofts (Gospel Press development). They will work together to jointly develop/pave the lot and provide landscaping to the perimeter. The committee reviewed the drawings and had a number of questions, particularly related to parking. Pending approval of the plans by the South of Jefferson block club the committee agreed to approve the plans.

Discussed 2008 objectives for Economic Development. Various ideas were discussed including 1) coordinating efforts with Re$tore Tremont, 2) working with Steelyard Commons to provide better signage to/from Tremont, marketing Tremont, etc. 3) coordination/support for Tremont Roundtable, 3) classified advertising of jobs available at Tremont businesses, 4) coordinating workshops for new start up businesses, 5) providing and "incubator" location and resources for start up businesses and 6) attracting professional service businesses ( ie. Architects, Lawyers, etc.) to the neighborhood.

It was agreed that these ideas and any new ones would be reviewed and prioritized at the March meeting.

Long Range Planning

Steve Bloom indicated the Train Ave. Study was being discussed on February 28 at Zion Church at 7:00PM. Findings of URS Consultants will be discussed at this meeting. Stockyard Redevelopment Organization is the lead for this study.

The lighting plan provided through the 10,000 ideas group is in process and will be presented soon. The expected outcome is a plan with various phases, design options and cost estimates for each design option and phase. Ultimately, the Tremont Community with be responsible for securing funding, selecting the design option, and phasing the roll out.

Discussed the SII Workplan Google site and the need to update this site more frequently and make more easily accessible to the community.

The meeting was adjourned at 8pm. Next meeting is March 6, 2008.

TWDC Long Range Planning and Economic Development Committee Meeting
6:00 PM Thursday June 7, 2007
TWDC Office

Present: S. Nagy, C. Krosel, T. Cook D. Mehring, M. Davis Staff: S. Bloom
I. Introductions - Meeting was called to order at 6:25 PM

Approval of minutes from May 3rd 2007 - D. Mehring moved to accept, M. Davis 2nd, minutes were unanimously approved.

II. Using the latest version of the of the Strategic Investment Initiative Workplan,
Continue implementation discussion.What resources do we need to get this work done, and what other committees need to be involved. It was decided, that the other committee chairs be engaged by members of the LRP-ED committee to confirm action items. Committee members selected committees to contact. M. Davis to draft letter for block club chairs.
III. Historic district discussion. There was much time spent on this topic, but ultimately, it was felt that the best fit was with the housing committee.

IV. Next steps: What do we need to do next meeting. This committee has been unable to address any Economic Development issues, as all available time has been devoted to Long-Range Planning thus far. It was decided that the next meeting would start with Economic Development, and then move on to Long Range Planning. The two topics will alternate leading off the meetings after that.

Economic Development

I. Do we treat this as a separate meeting? Alternate start with LRP.
II. Business Representation. Steve to invite representative from SEK.
III. ReStore, how does that fit in? Steve will invite Patricia Ross from ReStore..
IV. Based on SII Workplan, how does this committee have impact? Not discussed.
V. Next steps: What do we need to do next meeting? This will be the first time that Economic Development is actually discussed.
Adjourned: 8 PM
Next Meeting: 6:00 PM June 28th, 2007 TWDC Offices

TWDC Long Range Planning and Economic Development Committee Meeting
6:00 PM Thursday May 3, 2007
TWDC Office

Meeting Minutes Draft

I. Introductions- Called to order 6:08 PM

Approval of minutes from April 5th 2007. Minutes approved as submitted.

II. Using the latest version of the of the Strategic Investment Initiative Workplan,
and recommendations from Steven Bloom, determine an annual and quarterly workplan for this committee.
The Committee decided that the Official Strategic Investment Initiative Workplan needed to be document that all action items are drawn from, as it will be what our funders use to gage our performance as an organization.
III. What resources do we need to get this work done, and what other committees need to be involved?
The Committee reviewed the SII Workplan, to get an idea of which other committees, ad-hock committees, staff, partnerships, and outside resources may be needed to complete these action items.
Ask committee chairs to review The SII Workplan, to find action items that their group could work on. The LRP-ED committee will then work with them to find agreement on status reports, and completing these items.

LRP-ED committee again discussed ways to report back to the TWDC Board, our members, and residents. Actions will need more discussion.

" A decision made by a local business was brought to the committee. Discussion of impacts, and how TWDC could help our residents maintain services, and also work with that business as it makes its changes.

IV. Next steps: What do we need to do next meeting. Continue work on implementation plan. Some action items are happening already.

Economic Development This part of meeting was tabled due to lack of time, and will be picked up at the next meeting.

Attendance: Scott Nagy Staff: Steve Bloom
Tom Cook Michelle Davis
Sandy Smith
David Mehring
Chris Krosel

End 7:53 PM

Next Meeting: 6:00 PM June 7, 2007

Long Range Planning / Economic Development
Committee Meeting April 5, 2007

Meeting called to order 6:07 PM.

A presentation was given by Sharon Fain; of the Midwest Railway Preservation Society, which is located on W 3rd Street and Quigley. They are contacting local organizations so we can get to know each other. They invite TWDC to visit their site for a Saturday tour for 50-60 people.
This offer is interesting, and should be explored further.

There was no set agenda, as this was the first meeting of this committee.

A good deal of time was spent discussing this committee's role. Note: the following are, just discussion points for this new committee, and not meant to be mission statements.

Long Range Planning was felt to be the venue for working on quality of life issues for residents. Help establish plans/programs as to how the neighborhood should grow and change over time.

Economic Development was seen more as the place to foster a welcoming environment to businesses, which complement our resident base. Help encourage businesses that residents see a need for, discourage the start-up of businesses that may not be good neighbors and have negative effects on quality of life for residents.

This combined committee needs to help shepherd TWDC involvement in Safety/ Quality of life/Housing/Business. Make sure we stay on track with SII, and the neighborhood vision for the future. React to unexpected situations as the arise (example: ODOT's ramp and bridge plan).

We noted that there is need to get more feedback to the community. This may include, but not limited to block clubs, Inside Tremont, and on the web.

Tremont residents should be sought to be involved in this and other TWDC committees, to broaden perspective, and to help develop new neighborhood leaders, and board candidates. Block club leaders would be a place to start.

Next meeting May 3rd 2007. Brain Storm priorities from SII.

Present: Scott Nagy Staff: Steve Bloom
Tom Cook Michelle Davis
Sandy Smith
David Mehring
Chris Krosel