2021-11-18-TOUR2-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 This coming weekend, there will be a Sculpture Rehearsal which will be a working session for Meredith. Town Boards and Committees will be able a full-size rendering that will provide a sense of the mass and scale, in the groups preferred location. Meredith will show how her work moves from 2-dimentional sketches to 3-dimensional mockup. Committee members asked questions. The Committee will need time to absorb the information presented and Dawn suggested that the Tourism Committee attend the rehearsal if possible. Further discussion and a vote on the Committee’s recommendation will be held at a subsequent meeting. 3) Economic Development Coordinator Report Casey Hagerty reported that 11,000 people visited in October generating $33k in sales. Events are beginning to be held in person again, one of which is the Taste of Lexington planned for December 2nd. The tree lighting will also take place in Depot Park. Casey listed the new businesses that have opened in Lexington or plan to open soon. Sandhya Iyer described the federal funding that Lexington will receive. Lexington’s share of American Rescue Plan (ARPA) fund is $9+ million over two years. Staff continues to recommend to the Select Board projects for use of those funds. One suggestion being recommended is a participatory budgeting process. Sandhya described how that might work. Dawn reported that at the November 1st meeting of the Select Board, she stated the Tourism Committee thoughts on use of funds. Tourism is an investment that pays off economically, Dawn told the Select Board and one of the prime purposes of ARPA is for economic development. The Committee appreciates the support expressed by the Town Manager and Senior Management Team for recommending funds to rebuild the website. Dawn informed the Board that other tourism focused uses either have not been discussed or not supported by staff: Replacing the 15 year old Liberty Ride trolley (possibly electric) which would help control the fixed costs; financial support for the Liberty Ride and Visitors Center Revolving Funds as these operations were dramatically hurt during the pandemic and resulted in furloughs and shutting down winter operations from which funding has not recovered; funds for town sponsored events in the proposed Cultural District and events in general; seed money for the ultimate use of the Stone Building; broadly supporting staff; and towards the 2025 celebration. Dawn also indicated that the proposals along the Bikeway made sense as the Visitors Center was designed to take economic advantage of the bikeway and as a connection to East Lexington for the Cultural District. The Committee agreed to schedule a joint meeting with the Center Committee to discuss common goals for ARPA spending to be presented to the Board. Following an email from Dawn this week detailing the 15 sets of minutes dating back to February 2020 that remained outstanding and the number of requests to have them completed over the last 18 months, Sandhya indicated that Casey would be working on bringing the minutes up to date. 4) Tourism Goals and Implementation Phase II of the Battle Green Master Plan is moving along. It is expected that bids will be opened soon and the project would begin after Patriots’ Day and run into late summer, early fall. Michelle Jarvis is working with the artist selected to provide image and content for the interpretive rails for the Battle Green and the Belfry Hill accessible viewing area are being prepared for the December 16th meeting. Following confirmation that the Commission on Disability supported the benches proposed for the area, the Select Board unanimously voted at their November 15, 2021, to approve the Tourism Committee's request. Along Mass. Ave. there will be 6-8’ black metal Victor Stanley benches with backs on the Battle Green. The backless benches along Bedford Street will be similar, however will be ordered from a different company. The Victor Stanley the base of the backless version has a “knocked kneed” look which is different from the version with backs. As approved, the 6’ Belson