HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-09-TOUR2-min
Town of Lexington
Tourism Committee
Dawn McKenna, Chair info@tourlexington.us
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
Tourism Committee Minutes
3:30 pm Thursday, December 9, 2021
Conducted Remotely
Members Present: Marsha Baker, Kerry Brandin, Bebe Fallick, Dawn McKenna, Erin Sandler-Rathe, Elsie Xu
Also Present: Doug Lucente, Select Board Liaison, Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director, Casey
Hagerty Economic Development Coordinator and members of the Center Committee, including Fred Johnson,
liaison to the Tourism Committee
Members Absent: Sarah Boulos, Margaret Coppe, Wim Nijenberg
This meeting was a joint meeting with the Center Committee. For more information see the minutes of the Center
Committee. The Tourism Committee was called to order at 9:01 am.
1) American Rescue Plan Act Funding Recommendations
Lexington is scheduled to receive approximately $10 million in funds in two payments. These funds do not
require appropriation from Town Meeting. The federal legislation allows for specific purposes for use of the
funds, particularly aimed at stimulating the economy and providing funds to help cover additional COVID related
costs that were spent by municipalities. While ultimately decisions for spending the funds rest with the Select
Board, (as stated in the meeting by Doug Lucente) staff had prepared lists of priorities from all Town
Departments.
Both the Tourism Committee and Center Committee felt that a significant portion of the funding should be used
to support economic stabilization, particularly to small businesses. Additionally, the Tourism Committee felt that
the losses from the shutdowns of both the Liberty Ride and Visitors Center should be reimbursed to the respective
Revolving Funds.
Questions asked at the meeting included: How will the flexible funds be allocated? What would the participatory
process look like? What is the Select Board’s overarching strategy for use of the funds? What will define success?
Could the funds help with attracting a mix of businesses to the Center?
In addition to supporting the Liberty Ride and Visitors Center funds, new ideas included: increasing marketing
funds to attract visitors, providing rent subsidies to businesses, creating an incubator space to support retail
startups, ensuring that funds will be provided to the businesses, not the landlords. A larger conversation also was
recommended regarding events as a catalyst for bringing people into Lexington Center. Suggestions were made
for funding the Cultural District recommendations as part of the application process, funding the Stone Building
renovation into an active place, an East Lexington streetscape project, and funds set aside to host events similar to
Revolutionary Revelry.
There was much common ground. It was agreed that Dawn and Jerry would work on a joint statement to the
Select Board. Each Committee will also submit separate recommendations as needed.
Adjourn Upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:15 am.
Respectfully submitted Dawn E. McKenna
Approved: September 15, 2022