On May 18, the Chelsea Downtown Development Authority voted to hold a special meeting Thursday, May 25 at 7:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers to discuss the two Palmer Event Space bids following a scope review by consultant MC Smith.
Also at its May 18 meeting, the group approved a request from Chelsea Alehouse Brewery to take the first step in the city’s REU program for its new 115 S. Main St. location. The REU Program was developed to assist downtown redevelopment project businesses that require intensive water use, such as restaurants.
The Alehouse plans to not only serve food in its Main Street location but also brew beer on site in the basement.
The property would be specially assessed as part of the program and the total cost is about $46,000 and the DDA would pay about $3,800 for the next 12 years.
Zou Zou’s redevelopment project has also requested to be part of the program in the estimated amount of $2,900 as has Winey Donkey (the new wine shop) at an estimated cost of $1,250.
BBQ 52 is currently utilizing the program.
Also at that meeting, Craig Common, an event organizer, presented the budget for this year’s Sounds and Sights event to the DDA board and requested $10,000 from the DDA for the event that brings thousands of people downtown on Thursday nights for 11 weeks beginning June 8 through August and includes a 3-day Sounds and Sights Festival, which will take place on July 27-29.
He told the board that the event is in its 13th year and draws musical and entertainment acts from around the country.
Common said in the past, the DDA contributed $30,000, then $15,000 for the last few years, and he was requesting $10,000 for the next few years.
Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Pierce gave his last report to the board before he retires at the end of the month and he introduced Monica Monsma as the new chamber director.
