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Chelsea DDA OK’s first step in REU assistance request for Wines on Main

Chelsea logoThe Chelsea Downtown Development Authority board took the first step in approving an REU assistance request by Winey Donkey, dba Wines on Main, at its meeting Thursday morning.

(An REU or Residential Equivalent Unit is based on estimated water consumption.)

City Manager John Hanifan said the new business (at 110 North Main St.) REU amount would be about $15,000 with a 10-year payback or $1,500 per year and would require a special assessment.

“This is a really good use of the DDA’s money to promote a business downtown,” said Jennifer Fairfield.

“This is an incredible renovation, it was a real eyesore,” said Ron Weiser, praising the renovations completed by Pam and Bill Conn of the Mule Skinner Boot Shop that took over the closed downtown hardware store space.

If approved, the DDA will pay the city for utility costs based on an agreement between the owner of the property and the DDA. The program “provides for periodic forgiveness of the installments of principal and interest,” as part of a special assessment district for the property.

The couple plans to open a wine store next door to the boot shop.

Hanifan told DDA members that this was the first step in the approval of the application. The DDA board unanimously approved the request.

In addition, the DDA set a work session to further discuss the five requests for quotes for the Palmer lot concept design. The group will meet on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 a.m. to discuss the proposals and are expected to take a formal vote on Thursday, Nov. 17 at the next regular DDA meeting.

Hanifan told the board that the Longworth/Mac building project is moving forward and it’s expected the state will approve funds to shore up the building for the winter.

“We’re moving through the process,” he said, noting that the developer Joe Ziolkowski has been very patient with all the delays that are beyond the city’s control.

Weiser told the board that by about Nov. 1 there will be 70-80 professionals in the former Teddy Bear factory and that by Christmas, he expects another 160 employees from Hatch Stamping to have moved in as well.

He said three tenants moved out of the Sylvan Building and within a month, all three spots have been filled.

Bob Pierce, executive director of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce, reported that there were more than 1,200 people at the recent fall Smoke and Ale Festival at the Chelsea Community Fairgrounds, an increase over last year. In addition, the event committee plans to work with the health department so next year, visitors can sample the BBQ cooked during the event by the contestants.

Upcoming meetings and events:

Oct. 24: Chelsea City Council work session on transportation in the City Council chambers beginning at 7 p.m.

Oct. 27: Chelsea Downtown Development Authority work session in the City Council chambers to discuss the five Palmer lot request for quotes proposals at 7:30 a.m.

Oct. 27: Chelsea Board of Education candidate forum at the Washington Street Education Center board room from 7-9 p.m.

Nov. 8: Election Day, polls open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Nov. 10: Chelsea Area Historical Society grand reopening of the historical museum from 5-8 p.m.

Nov. 11: Wine, Woman and Shopping event downtown

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