2017-05-10-TOUR2-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Town of Lexington Tourism Committee Dawn McKenna, Chair (781) 862-0500 ext 84585 Minutes Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 4:30 – 6:00 pm Parker Room (Ground Floor Town Office Building) Members Present: Marsha Baker, Margaret Coppe, Bebe Fallick, Jon Himmel, Dawn McKenna, Wim Nijenberg Staff Present: Megan Zammuto Center Committee Liaison: Fred Johnson Members Absent: Kerry Brandin, Trisha Kennealy, Leeying Wu 1)Tourism Operations – Staff Updates Liberty Ride Megan reported that sales are slightly ahead of last year, Liberty Ride sales are up 45 riders. The online ticketing program is going very well, there have been no problems to date. Sunday Shuttle Service The committee discussed a potential pilot program to assist visitors in getting to Lexington on Sundays. Staff is reviewing the program and will consider a FY18 implementation. People Counter Data Megan reviewed the people counter data from Patriots Day weekend. This year there were 2292 people in the Visitors center on Patriots Day, down a little from last year, but up from 2014 and 2015. Boston Concierge Association th Staff attended the Boston Concierge Association trade show on Tuesday, May 9. The event was a success and staff was able to make several contacts. Tear-off Map Project The map has been through two review stages to date, and the next stage will be produced by late May. This black line version will include a black outline of the final map, all buildings, and trees, parks etc. Remaining Tourism FY2017 account balances Megan discussed the high level budget overview for both the Tourism Marketing Budget and the Economic Development Contract Services Budget. Noteworthy spending include the contract for a tourism marketing photographer, and the center map project. 2)Visitors Center The Board of Selectmen voted 4-1to release $152,000 to continue the work on the Visitors Center project. Dawn McKenna thanked those who attended the BOS meeting to support the release of the funds. She also thanked Jon Himmel who attended both as a Permanent Building Committee member and Tourism Committee member. The committee discussed the option that was presented at the BOS meeting to include the Hosmer House in a design. That option was not included in the vote taken by the BOS. Megan discussed the next steps for the project which will include two meetings with the project architect, Don Mills, and the group of stakeholders. Jon Himmel discussed potential financing options, including possible CPA funding for a portion of the project. The committee discussed forming a focus group to look at the redesign of the project. After the focus group analyzes and endorses the project, we may be able to get some financial endorsement. Dawn stated that there is a significant amount of momentum surrounding this project, and staff has not yet produced a financing plan. Fred Johnson asked how other capital projects are funded, and asked why this project should be funded differently than others in town. The committee agreed that the current design needs value engineering. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420