City of Methuen Annual Report: 2012

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C i t y o f M e t h u e n A n n u a l R e p o r t : 2 0 1 2DemolitionThe department continued to monitor the progress of this grant in 2012. In 2010, the City ofMethuen was awarded grant monies in the amount of $98,434.00 under the FY08 NeighborhoodStabilization Program (NSP) as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act, 2008 (HERA). Threeproperties that were vacant, declared unsafe and condemned by the city and a nuisance to the livelyhood of the neighborhoods were successfully demolished. As of 2012, there is a balance of$37,530.85 in NSP Program Income due to two of the vacant parcels being sold in 2011 (CamdenStreet and Comet Road), These funds are to remain available for future demolition needs.Social Service ProjectsThe following social service was funded with additional Program Income/CDBG dollars, supervised,monitored, and supported by the Department during 2012:Neighborhood Youth ServicesThe City contracted with the Methuen Arlington Neighborhood, Inc. to provide a variety ofneighborhood-based social services in the Arlington Neighborhood during 2011. Additional fundswere requested and approved from Program Income funds in 2012 to continue this program. Duringthis time, the organization served over 150 youth, 100% of which were from low- and moderateincomefamilies, of which 67% were from female head of households; 83% of youths were Latino, 2%were Black/African American; 1% was American Indian/Alaskan Native; and, 3% of youths weredisabled. Services included family movie and craft events on Saturdays, a satellite library for youth, asummer basketball program, and karate classes.Downtown RevitalizationMethuen Appleyards Downtown Parking ProjectDuring 2012, the Department successfully completed and closed out this project. A ribbon cuttingwas held in November 2011. Funds in the amount of $283,063 were awarded in 2009 to the City ofMethuen under the FY08 CDBG-R, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009 (ARRA) grantfunds through the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).Matching funds in the amount of $15,446.06 were provided by the City to complete the project, for atotal project cost of $298,509.06. The project consisted of remediating all contaminated areas onland and in the Spicket River and constructing off-street parking for the Methuen Downtown Centerand passive park space for all to enjoy. This revitalization eliminated an eyesore, which is located atone of the gateways to the downtown business area.Public FacilitiesTenney Street Park PlaygroundIn October, 2012, the City of Methuen was awarded $187,780 in FY11 CDBG Reserves funds from theCommonwealth of Massachusetts, through its Department of Housing and Community Development(DHCD). These funds are designated for the replacement of a 15-year old, deteriorated, unsafe,playground located in the Methuen Arlington Neighborhood, next to the Lena Lahey Community53
C i t y o f M e t h u e n A n n u a l R e p o r t : 2 0 1 2Center on Tenney Street. The new structures will fit within the existing play area and will allow forthe mandatory safety clearances per current standards, incorporating accessible design and with asafe and accessible play surface. Old benches and wooden fencing will be replaced with moredurable ones. The project will be conducted during 2013.Ranger ClubhouseIn December 2012, the City was notified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office ofEnergy and Environmental Affairs that it was the recipient of a $500,000 grant to assist in completingthe badly needed Ranger Stadium Clubhouse. An application for additional funding for field turf atthe stadium will be submitted in 2013.Historic PreservationThe Department, the Historical Commission, and the Historic District Commission were active during2012 in efforts to promote and preserve Methuen’s historical character.Methuen Historic District CommissionDuring 2012, the Methuen Historic District Commission reviewed 21 applications for alterations toproperties or signage. The majority of these applications were for signage, which are subject toguidelines outlined in the Methuen Sign Guide. Eight of the applications were for propertyimprovements, including repairs to decks, siding, trim, windows, doors, and roofs.Methuen Historical CommissionThe Methuen Historical Commission continued to add to and maintain a rich collection of documentsand artifacts tracing Methuen’s history. The collection was made available to numerous researchers,genealogists, and local historic preservation organizations. The City is working with a business ownerlocated in the Methuen Downtown for office space where stored artifacts can be displayed for thepublic to view.Economic Development Highlights2012 saw a return of activity on the economic development front for the City of Methuen. Afterseveral years of an economic downturn, the City has met with and assisted numerous potentialdevelopers and business owners in their location, relocation and expansion plans in the City.Major accomplishments of the year include:54‣ Formation of a Strategic Economic Development Advisory Council to advise the Mayor onissues affecting the business community and identify opportunities for new job creation inthe City. The group has been meeting quarterly.‣ Joe’s Crab Shack opened in the former Applebee’s location on Pleasant Valley Street;‣ In 2012, plans were approved for a 65,000 sf expansion of Century Box on Chase Street inMethuen, essentially doubling the size of the box manufacturer in terms of both size andemployment. The company will create more than 100 new high-quality manufacturing jobs.The Massachusetts Office of Business Development recognized the project and awarded it$1.2 million in state Investment Tax Credits.‣ The old Fox Nissan building received a $3 million facelift in 2011-2012 and is now home toComfort Home Care and more than 150 new jobs in the home care nursing field. The
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