HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-08-TOUR2-minLexington Tourism Committee
Minutes of the meeting of
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 11:30 a.m.
G -15
Members present: Kerry Brandin, Bebe Fallick, Trisha Kennealy, Dawn McKenna, Denise
Ricketts, Lou Sideris
Staff: Mash Traber Center Committee Liason: Fred Johnson
Guest: Dave Cannon -town engineer, Melisa Tintacolis
Absent: Mary Jo Bohart, Jim Shaw
1. Updates
a. A Christmas Carol was successful. Christopher Bing would like us to reserve
December 20 and 21 for 2013. An extremely successful rendition of
Fezziwg's Ball was held the first evening. Fred Johnson recommended one night
only. Dawn indicated that with the right advanced publicity, the two nights
makes a night package. We will reserve Cary Hall for those two nights.
b. The Selectmen approved the proposed design of Antony Park at their meeting on
January 7 The HDC indicated support via straw vote but we will return to their
February 7 th meeting to seek formal approval.
c. A French A Faire will be held on February 10 Help selling tickets is needed.
d. Visitor Center request has been submitted to the CPA for design funding through
Pat Goddard.
e. 300 Anniversary community meetings
f. Carl Valente will attend our next meeting regarding staffing for the Liberty Ride
g. Miscellaneous — Melisa provided an update on the Center Streetscape and
Center Parking issue. Center Street Scape -Town is selecting consultant for
project that is will be collecting data about pedestrians, bikes and buses. Also
working on center parking initiative working with Center Committee, first steps
will be working on signage and augmenting space to do private /public
management. Also working through zoning solutions that will facilitate
public /private partnerships for parking. We reminded Melisa that the
Selectmen had not accepted the report regarding parking because the Tourism
component was not included. We still have not been asked to participate or
provide data regarding tourism parking. Information meeting on January 22
about meeting about semi - permanent bike corral in 2 % spaces; As a committee
we are in support of it being up between April and October.
2. Massachusetts Avenue Intersection Project — Dave Cannon, Town Engineer presented
the project. The Town would have to pay for the Design and the State would pay for
the project if accept.
a. There does not seem to be much sentiment to drastically change the
intersection at Pleasant Street. The rotary may be relocated slightly. Concerns
were raised as to the impact of the striping in that busy area.
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
b. At this time there does not seem to be much of a need to improve the
intersection at Marrett Road as it works currently.
c. The significant work in the corridor would be at Maple Street. The signal
concept well received at Maple. Roundabouts were dismissed as they make it
harder for pedestrians. There is room to stripe pedestrian lanes in the area.
d. Signals give pedestrian more control.
e. Signals would be similar to town center which is based on video control; all are
being upgraded.
f. Concern was expressed about striping esp. in historic corridor might be too
urban in appearance
g. Public Workshop will be scheduled. Then it will go to the Selectmen for further
action.
3. Minutes Review and Approval —the minutes of October 30, 2012 were presented in
draft form. Given the length of the minutes, we will defer minute approval till next
meeting so members have a chance to review them.
4. Signage - An application was filed with HDC for three different sign projects below as
well as Antony Park.
a. Calendar sign - The HDC approved the calendar sign. The estimates for calendar
are $5900 which is comparably priced. Poles will be painted black.
b. Parking signs —Fred and Masha are proponents for going as large as we can; FJ
advocated for using the Helvetica P that is standard. He also advocated for the
blue background with a square or round sign. There is agreement that the
parking signs need improvement. It was also agreed that the sign next to
Brookline Bank should simply be for Parking and that there should be a separate
site specific sign consistent with the others for the Depot building. We will
reach out to the Historical Society to talk to them about having a site specific
sign for Depot. The Tourism Committee, upon motion duly made and seconded,
decided that the parking signs should be consistent with the signage program,
same coloring and Helvetica P. 20 % by 26 inches. This will be presented to the
Center Committee for their input.
c. Battle Green sign - The HDC hearing on this was deferred until February 7th
d. HDC approved the three signs as part of our signage program for The Belfry, the
Bikeway behind the Visitors Center, and at Mass Ave between the benches in
front of the Visitors Center. The estimate for these three signs $2750 and will
be paid for out of the existing CPA appropriation, per the vote of the
Community Preservation Committee.
5. A request has been received by the Historical Society to increase the admissions fees
the Liberty Ride pays to the Historical Society. It will be placed on a future agenda.
6. Due to time constraints, the following items were deferred:
a. Visitors Guide
b. Tourism Strategic Review
c. Visitor Center Programmatic Review
d. Strategies and Funding Based on Vision and Mission Statement
e. AAA Travel Markeplace
f. Policy on Trip Advisor ad and charges
g. Photographs to add
h. People Counter
i. Liberty Ride Operations and Marketing
j. Sunday service to Alewife
k. Advertising
Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 22nd 11:30 —1:30 pm.
Adjourned at approximately 1:50 pm
Respectfully submitted, Trisha Kennealy
Documents available at the meeting:
Antony Park Design Concept approved by Selectmen
Copies of BSC Group designs for Massachusetts Avenue corridor project
12/19/2012 draft of the minutes of the October 30, 2012 meeting of the Tourism
Committee
4. Parking sign samples