2019-07-25-LCC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Town of Lexington Lexington Center Committee Minutes for the meeting of July 25th, 2019, Parker Room, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420 Center Committee members: Michael Boudett, Katherine Huang, Frederic Johnson, Howard Levin, Pamela Lyons, Jerold Michelson (Chair) Liaisons: Bob Creech, Planning Board, Melisa Tintocalis, EDD, Francine Stieglitz, CD, Casey Hagerty, EDD, Joe Pato (guest) Eric Gitschier gave the DPW update: Right now there's more work than funding for sidewalk brick maintenance around Depot Square. (Did I get this right?) Mike and Jerry commented on how moving Discovery Day to back to Mass Ave was a major success with more booths, food and events attracting a larger crowd. Howard noted that the Center Streetscape Planning continues apace. Right now the committee is nailing down details such as bike racks, lighting (always a complicated issue) etc. The plan is to go with the concrete/plastic combo for the ramps as requested by the Commission on Disability. Bidding will take place in Spring 2020 with work to commence in Spring 2021. Trees will be a mixture of honey locust and other trees that will be not too tall, grow fast, hardy, salt tolerant, less dense canopy (to discourage the massing of small birds that afflict us now) and the lowest limbs will be over 6.5 feet. There will be "interesting stuff under the sidewalk" so the tree roots will have room to grow. The overall intent is to have a lower maintenance sidewalk. Casey gave the EDD update: Melisa obtained a $15k grant to study retail strategy in the Center. She also has $10K for a strategic marketing plan for tourism. Casey showed us slides of an "activated" space in Ashland. Sotheby's withdrew its proposal for expansion into the vacant space next door. Mike suggested that we look into developing an ordinance to discourage vacant space in the Center. This will be an agenda item in September. Jerry noted that LaDolda hopes to open in September (although some members observed that work seems to have stopped in that space.) We are hopeful. Right now, the spaces formerly occupied by Goodfeet, Vine Brook, narrow space next to Panera, and Dunkin Donuts are vacant. DD is not coming back.