Downtown Meeting:
Friday, June 5th
8:30am at the Maine Grind
All are welcome

Agenda:
Business/Member News

New Board of Directors

Treasurer's Report & Membership Renewals

Events & Calendar

Marketing/Signage

Committee Reports: Zoning/Parking, Economic Development, Sustainable Ellsworth, Ellsworth on the Move

New Business

10:00am Adjourn

www.downtownellsworth.com

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Downtown Ellsworth Association News

Welcome new members! Eaton Peabody Attorneys At Law and Union River Healthy Communities.

Our annual membership drive is underway. To become a member or renew your membership, please visit our Membership Page. For your convenience membership forms can be completed online and printed.

Our website has some new features. A Members and Planning Page, an Online signup for our monthly newsletter, a Farmer's Market Page and expanded Directory. If you would like a free listing in the Downtown Directory, please email us. We are always pleased to post any Downtown events, happenings, notices or other information.

The Downtown Ellsworth Association is working with the city on installation of two signs at the intersection of Main and Oak Streets for this summer season. Marty Lyons of Studio 3 is designing the signs and the Downtown Ellsworth Association will work with the City and the DOT to expedite the project.

John DeLeo, Chief of Police reminds us that ticketing for Downtown parking time limit enforcement will begin this month. Please alert customers, clients and employees to use the many available spots in the Municipal and Franklin Street parking lots for extended stays Downtown.

Ellsworth Under the Stars Summer Film Series
Ellsworth Arts fund raiser at the Grand was a great success. The Ellsworth Show Choir and the Ellsworth Symphonic Band gave top notch performances to a full house.

We are moving closer to our goal of having open-air screenings of movies in various locations on Thursday evenings at dusk during the summer months. Ellsworth Under the Stars Movie Series is a community-based effort to offer free family summer entertainment to the surrounding area amongst our City's beautiful outdoor surroundings.

Ellsworth Arts hopes to support film series or multimedia events for the community that may include creative projects from local artists and students. To get more information or to make a donation please visit: www.ellswortharts.org . Community financial support is deeply appreciated.

Faith in Action Volunteer Picnic
The Board of Directors of Faith in Action invites you to their annual Volunteer Picnic Friday, June 12, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the gazebo in our Ellsworth Harbor Park. Come and go to fit your schedule--ten minutes to two hours! We plan to have lots of food, a selection of our SUN ornaments, and a beautiful day. If you have any questions or for alternate directions in case of bad weather, please call Faith in Action at 664-6016.
Reminder - Return your painted SUNS by June 10th to Debby Day at H.C. Austin Furniture. The theme of the FIA's Third Public Outdoor Art Event is - SUNS! which will be displayed in Downtown windows and later auctioned at a fundraiser for FIA. For more information: www.fiacommunityconnection.org. FIA offers free services to the elderly and disabled in Hancock County, in order that they can live independently, with dignity, and a strong quality of life.

The Grand News
The Grand is working with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission for nomination to the National Registry of Historic Places as it begins restoration of its tower and marquee this summer. The marquee and tower with its red and black vitrolite glass panels is one of the last remaining facades of its kind in Maine. If anyone in the community has pictures of the Grand dating back to the 1930's to help with restoration planning, please contact Zoe.

The Grand has hired Kristie Billings as part-time Arts Education Coordinator, beginning on July 1, 2009.  Kristie's strong presence in the community, her connection to the schools, her commitment to the performing arts, and her enthusiasm for creating an arts program for regional youth will make her a gifted part of the Grand team for the next fiscal year.  Of course, her stylin' Shoegazin' shoes will keep all of us on our toes.. For the summer schedule visit: .www.grandonline.org

Ellsworth Public Library News
Stay tuned for a busy summer schedule of new reading programs, special storytimes and the Summertime Delights series. Things kick off on Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30pm with Pandemonium, an all-kids group of steel drum players from the Schoodic area.

Summer reading sign-up begins Monday, June 22: sign-up and receive a voucher for one free child's admission to a Sea Dogs game at Hadlock Field.

Other summer highlights are pipes and drums, visit with the owls of Birdsacre, annual pet show, Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers, marionettes and much more. For full details, check our website www.downtownellsworth.com or www.ellsworth.lib.me.us.

Ellsworth on the Move

Ellsworth on the Move is comprised of a group of concerned citizens who are interested in developing or working to amend existing sidewalks, trails, and paths in Ellsworth so these areas will be accessible to all. This includes walking, running, biking, walking with children in strollers, or using a wheelchair to navigate around town.

In 2007, a bike/ped committee and subsequent plan was developed for Ellsworth. Members of the committee included Union River Healthy Communities, Hancock County Planning Commission, the City of Ellsworth's Parks and Recreation Commission, and other citizens. The plan and other documents, PowerPoint shows, and Downtown walking maps can be accessed by clicking here on the following link: http://www.cityofellsworthme.org/planning/bike-ped/bike-ped_homepage.htm

Some current projects include community participation on the shared use rail/trail project connecting the Downeast Sunrise Trail corridor between Ayers Junction (Calais) and Washington Junction (Ellsworth) and the Downeast Scenic Rail (Green Lake to Ellsworth Falls); and a multi-use bridge over the Union River upstream from Leonard Lake to provide a connection to the Downeast Sunrise Trail, to complete the walking trail around Leonard Lake and to provide trail access to points north. If you are interested in serving on the committee please email Jane Freeman.

Chamber of Commerce News
Joint Committee to Work on Downtown Development/Vacancy Issues
Mickie Sumpter, Director of the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce has appointed two Downtown Chamber Board members (Chris Crockett and Teri Sargent Smith) to work with Janet Toth, Ellsworth's Economic Development Director and the Downtown Ellsworth Association to discuss Downtown vacancies and development possibilities. The Downtown Association has expressed interest in learning more about historic tax rehabiliation credits or other opportunities for sustainable development to continue Downtown's economic viability. Janet's office is currently compiling a list of Downtown properties to inventory present uses and properties available for lease or sale. Property owners are encouraged to contact Janet to ensure the list is complete.

Autumn Gold is Scheduled For Thursday, October 1st thru Sunday, October 4. Planning for this years festivities is underway.

Spend $20 on June 20 In an effort to help jumpstart the local economy the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce and local media outlets are sponsoring “Spend $20 on June 20th.” As part of this campaign, Hancock County residents are asked to spend $20 locally on June 20 to see how much revenue can come into the county and how it will affect the county’s economy. To advertise, please contact Julie Clark at the Ellsworth American.

For more information, contact the chamber, 667-5584. Or visit the Chamber's great looking new website.

News from Michelle Gagnon, City Planner

Community Block Development Grant:
In February 2009, the City of Ellsworth and members of the Downtown Ellsworth Association joined forces to prepare and submit a $500,000 CDBG grant application to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. Due to program cuts, only two projects were funded this year and ours was not selected. It is Ellsworth’s plan to resubmit an application for next year’s round.

The project’s goal is to build a strong downtown beyond the façade of its Main Street, through the creation of civic space and functional diversity. The proposed project activities included improvements to 1) City Hall Parking lots, retaining wall, and related infrastructure; 2) to the Harbor Park and boating facility located on the same lot as the Wastewater Treatment Plant (to be demolished), and 3) to the sidewalks on Water Street between Mike’s Store and the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Proposed Downtown Parking Program:
After months of hard work and collaboration with the Downtown Ellsworth Association, the City's Zoning Update Committee and the City's Planners have drafted a new parking ordinance. The first public hearing was held on May 22. There will be two other opportunities for public comment.

The goal is to establish a parking program to support the vitality and appearance of Downtown Ellsworth. For the purpose of the Parking Program, Downtown Ellsworth is divided into three areas referred to as Downtown A, B, and C. Downtown A consists of a portion of Main Street and the abutting areas typified by parking constraints consistent with the distinctive historic construction patterns. Downtown B is typified by no or low parking shortage. Downtown C encompasses the area outside Downtown A and B and it is typified by having, in general, adequate parking.

For a summary of recommendations for Downtown Parking Requirements: Highlights of Proposed Downtown Parking Program.
To read the entire:: Proposed Downtown Parking Program.
For maps of the Downtown Area and other information: Visit the City's Draft Ordinance web pages.

News From Janet Toth, City Economic Development Director

Rural Energy for America and Value-Added Producer Grant Program Presentation: June 10th, 10:00am - noon, Ellsworth City Council Chambers. REAP offers grants, guaranteed loans, and combination grant/guaranteed loans to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. VAPG provides grant funds (50% matching funds) to agricultural producers for planning activities and working capital expenses for developing a value-added agricultural product project.

Make Taxes Less Taxing & Recovery Act SBA Loan Program Presentation: June 24th, 10:00am - noon, Ellsworth City Council Chambers. Join Join Shawn Savage from the IRS and Herb Thomas of the SBA discussing the SBA's new loan program created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The program is designed for small business owners with low interest rates, 100% SBA guaranty to the Bank with no fees. Janet encourages all interested not to hesitate as there is a limited amount of funds nationally available. To read the 2009 Recovery Act Overview.

Respondents Needed for Online Leadership Survey: Janet is participating on a committee that is made up of representatives from several organizations in Hancock County to determine if there is interest in a Leadership Institute for county residents. The committee has developed an electronic survey to see if the idea is feasible. If the survey shows a positive response we will be looking for resources to design and offer a program. The survey tool will be live only until June 5. To Take the Survey

News From the City Manager, Michelle Beal

Paving the Municipal Parking Lot Lane Construction will be paving the municipal lot within the next two weeks. They will be paving over a two day period so they will only need to close one half of the parking lot at any given time. Jordan Striping will stripe as soon as the parking lot is ready. The City is working to make this as easy as possible for the general public and it will look great when it is completed!

Notes on upcoming construction project scheduling:
Wastewater Plant Force Main and Interconnected Pipe Project (Stimulus project on Water Street and Bayside Road) – The pre-bid conference is June 16, bid opening is June 26. The project is estimated to begin three weeks from the bid opening date.
Bucksport Road Intersection – Utilities (Bangor Hydro, Fairpoint, and Time Warner) and Contractors (Lane Construction) have begun construction. Construction completion date is August 28.
Rte 1A Reconstruction – The bids for the portion of the project from the Red Bridge Road to the Ellsworth Falls Union River Bridge will be opened on June 10th. I do not have a bid opening date for the second portion of the project (Red Bridge Road to McGown’s Hill).